Quezon – Land of a Thousand Colors

Named after former Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon, the province celebrates one of the most colorful events in the country – the Pahiyas Festival. Houses are decorated with fruits, vegetables, croups, and colorful rice wafers called kiping

Aside from this colorful fiesta, white sand beaches are located in different parts of the province which can provide utmost relaxation for any visiting tourist. Mount Banahaw is accessible through Quezon which can give the adventure thrill seekers and nature lovers are looking for.

Demographic

1. Population – 1,646,510 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area –  8,845.8 sq. km
3. Capital – Lucena City
4. Language/Dialect – Tagalog, English, and Filipino
5. Divisions

Cities (1)

• Lucena City

Municipalities (40)

• Agdangan
• Alabat
• Atimonan
• Buenavista
• Burdeos
• Calauag
• Candelaria
• Catanauan
• Dolores
• General Luna
• General Nakar
• Guinayangan
• Gumaca
• Infanta
• Jomaliga
• Lopez
• Lucban
• Macalelon
• Mauban
• Mulanay
• Padre Burgos
• Pagbilao
• Panukulan
• Patnanungan
• Perez
• Pitogo
• Plaridel
• Polillo
• Quezon
• Real
• Sampaloc
• San Andres
• San Antonio
• San Francisco (Aurora)
• San Narciso
• Sariaya
• Tagkawayan
• Tayabas
• Tiaong
• Unisan

Pahiyas Festival
This colorful feast venerates San Isidro Labrador (Isidore the Laborer), the patron saint of farmer, for the bountiful harvest for the year. Locals dress up their houses with native decors (pahiyas) called kiping.

Mt. Banahaw
Pilgrims believe that Jesus Christ once walked on this extinct volcano. As such, it has become of the most famous destinations during Holy Week.

St. Michael the Archangel Minor Basilica
The church is one of the oldest in the province. It was first built in 1585 and repaired in 1590.

Bird Island
This coral formation that became an island has become a sanctuary for different species of birds. Day and night, bird watchers can see these creatures flying around the island.

Delectable food

• Quezon has an array of tasty treats that will surely make any tourist ask for seconds.
• Pancit Habhab – a popular stir fry noodles mixed with vegetables and meat . It is placed in banana leaves and eaten without using a spoon or fork.
• Lambanog – coconut vodka
• Longganisang Lucban – a local version of a sausage mixed with garlic and pepper.

Cultural

Quezon Museum
Location: Old Provincial Health Building, Lucena City, Quezon
The museum house memorabilia of some of the most prominent personalities in Quezon including former Congressman Manuel Enverga, former Senator Lorenzo Tañada, and former President Manuel Quezon

Dumagat Settlement
Location: General Nakar, Quezon
There are four Dumagat settlement areas in General Nakar that are under the administration and supervision of the local Office of Southern Cultural Communities of Social Services and Development

Historical

Kutang San Diego (Spanish Fort)
Location: Gumaca, Quezon
It is the one of the oldest surviving fortress built during the latter part of the 18th century.

San Diego de Alacala Fortress
Location: Gumaca, Quezon
This fortress was built in 1981 by the Franciscan missionaries and is recognized by the National Historical Institute as a National Treasure.

Casa Communidad(Casa de la Comunidad de Tayabas)
Location: Tayabas, Quezon
The Casa served as the old tribunal during the Spanish Era. It was first built in 1776 with makeshift materials, it was made into a grand edifice in 1831 by then Gobernadorcillo Don Diego Enriquez.  This is where Apolonio de la Cruz, known as Hermano Pule, was sentence to death by firing squad in 1841 for leading a short lived but significant revolt in the country.

Claro M. Recto Shrine
Location: Tiaong, Quezon
The shrine commemorates the contributions of Claro M. Recto, known as the Father of Philippine Constitution.

Pinagbanderahan Monument
Location: Quezon National Park, Barangay Malinao Ilaya, Atimonan, Quezon
This monument was built in 1938 to remember the site where the Filipino Revolucionarios planted the Philippine Flag during their battle against the Spanish forces. The site was a strategic point during World War II for it gives a perfect vantage point to view Mt. Banahaw, the islands of Marinduque and Mindoro, as well as the major towns and cities of Quezon, like Lucena, Pagbilao, and Tayabas.

Manuel L. Quezon Monument
Location: Perez Park, Lucene City, Quezon
The monument honors former President Manuel L Quezon, who is known as the Ama ng Wikang Filipino, and the man behind the movement for Philippine Independence from America.

Hunters ROTC Veterans Park
Location: Barangay Tagbakin, Atimonan, Quezo
This recreational site honors the memory of the Atimonan soldiers who fought during the Japanese occupation.

Man-Made

Malagunlong Bridge
Location: Tayabas, Quezon
It is one of the oldest bridge in the province; its construction dating as far as 1585.

Perez Park
Location: Lucena City, Quezon
The seven-hectare park features a children’s playground, landscaped garden, man-made cave, and a large area for outdoor dancing.

skong Bantay Watchtower
Location: Atimonan Quezon
It was built during the Spanish occupation to serve as a watchtower to warn townsfolk on incoming attacks by marauding pirates.

Sirena
Location: Maharlika Highway, Atimonan, Quezon
This life-size sculpture is a replica of the Little Mermaid of in Denmark. Like the original, the sirena (mermaid) also sits on top of a big boulder.

Marcos Tigla Park
Location: Lucban, Quezon
It was named after Marcos Tigla, the first Gobernadorcillo and founder of Lucban. Highlights of the park include the Idyll of the Sea and the Fountain of Wisdom, which symbolize a mother transferring wisdom to her son.

Governor's Mansion
Location: Lucena City, Quezon
This is the official residence of the past governors of the province and is now used as guesthouse for visitors.

Natural

Mt. Banahay
Location: Sariaya – Lucban – Tayabas – Dolores, Quezon
This extinct volcano towers at 7,382 feet high and is considered a sacred place among locals. There are approximately 66 religious sects whose members hold rituals at the mountain every Holy Week. Amulet hunters also head out to Mt. Banahaw during this season.

Polilio Coral Reef
Location: Polilio Island, Polilio, Quezon
Snorkeling and diving enthusiasts will enjoy the wonders hidden in this five kilometer long and two kilometer wide coral reef.

Bird Island
Location: Polilio Island, Polilio, Quezon
This coral formation turned island is a sanctuary for different species of birds. Every afternoon, groups of birds gather in the sky and head towards the island to spend the night there

Pagbilao Grande
Location: Tayabas Bay, Pagbilao, Quezon
It is a group of white sand beach islands that are rich fishing grounds. This is where the Tulay Buhangn (Sand Bridge) is located. It connects the isletsof Padre Burgos during low tide.

Puting Buhangin Beach
Location: Pagbilao Grande, Tayabas Bay, Pagbilao, Quezon
This is one of the most popular islands of Pagbilao Grande. Its pure white sand beach is about 70 meters long and 10 meters wide. A small cave is located at one end of the beach.

Tikub Lake
Location: Tiaong, Quezon
This two-kilometer wide and 75-meter deep lake lies on the crater of an extinct volcano. Its surrounding is filled with lush greenery.

Lamon Bay
Location: Coastal area of Atimonan, Gumaca, Plaridel, Lopez, and Calauag, Quezon
During low tide, the water level is low enough to allow one to walk as far as five hundred meters from the shore. Most parts of the bay consist of gray sand; some parts are filled with rocks, and other living corals.

Coccoc Island
Location: Polilio, Quezon
Resembling an umbrella from afar, this white sand beach island is a popular picnic area among locals.

Quezon National Park
Location: Atimonan – Pagilao – Padre Burgos, Quezon
With an area of about 9,830,765 hectares, it has an intricate system of caves, waterfalls, springs, creeks, gorges, and ravines against a quaint backdrop of lush greenery.

Religious

St. Michael the Archangel Minor Basilica
Location: Tayabas, Quezon
First built in 1585, it is one of the oldest church in the province and the longest Spanish colonial church in the Philippines, measures at 103 meters. Bricks were used to construct the church in 1600 but were destroyed by an earthquake in1743. It was rebuilt in 1856 to what it is today.

Kinabuhayan
Location: Brgy. Kinabuhayan, Dolores, Quezon.
This is the site where members of religious sects of Mt. Banahaw believe Christ spent His Calvary. A series of rocks called Pinagapusan is said to be where Christ was tied to. Another rock is said to have the footprints of Jesus Christ.

San Diego de Alcala Cathedral
Location: Gumaca, Quezon
It is known as the biggest and oldest Catholic Church in the province of Quezon. Its first establishment was in 1582, on its present site. It was transferred to Silangan in the island of Alabat in 1638 but was burned by the Dutch forces in 1665.

St. Ferdinand Cathedral
Location: Lucena City, QuezonIt was constructed from May 1882 to July of 1884. On May 24, 1887, the newly built church was gutted down by fire and had to be reconstructed six months after.

Saint Louis of Touluse Church
Location: Lucban, Quezon
It has endured several reconstructions since 1593. After it was destroyed in 1629, it was razed by a fire in 1733. The church did not escape the wrath of World War II but the Historical Conservation Society was able to rebuild it in 1966.

Munting Malaguionan Island
Location: Malaguinoan Island, Burdeos, Quezon
The image of the kneeling Virgin Mary was found out of a growing stone. Fishermen and boat operators pass near the island to pay homage and pray for a safe journey.

Kamay ni Hesus Shrine
Location: Mt. Banahaw, Lucban, Quezon
This famous pilgrim site during the Holy Week houses several religious statues including a life size replica of the Stations of the Cross, placed on different heights. There is also a bath area, Marian grotto, a replica of La Pieta and Angel’s Hill.

Our Lady of Sorrows Shrine
Location: Dolores, Quezon
The “Virgenes de Dolores” is held here every March or April. A mass is held in honor of Birhen Dolorosa (Our Lady of Sorrows) followed by the Turumba, a dance praising the patron saint of Dolores.

Pahiyas Festival
Place: Lucban, Quezon
Date: May 11 - 15
As a thanksgiving of farmers for their bountiful harvest, locals dress up their houses with kiping, colorful rice wafers cooked in a traditional way, in the most creative way. Residents who are involved in other industries also display their products as a form of thanksgiving.

Agawan sa Sariaya
Place: Sariaya, Quezon
Date: May 11 – 15
Another feast in honor of San Isidro Labrador, locals hang fruits, vegetables, candies, breads, and other food as their pahiyas. As soon as the procession of the patron saint passes a decorated house, people are allowed to get its crop décor.

Balwarte sa Gumaca
Place: Gumaca, Quezon
Date: May 11 - 15
This is another feast in honor of San Isidro Labrador. Arches are decorated with various agricultural products like bananas, vegetables, buco, pineapple, and root crops. Crop decors are pulled out by the people after the patron saint has passed.

Boling-Boling Festival
Place: Catanauan, Quezon
Date: Three days before Ash Wednesday
Boling-boling is a Visayan word which means 'dirt'. Locals paint themselves or smother themselves with dirt, mud, and charcoal and roam around the town trying to scare people. This is a symbolism of cleansing the soul before the Lenten Season. Meanwhile, senior women, dress up in colorful outfits, are accompanied by guitarist and roam around soliciting money to be used for the expenses of the parish during the Lenten Season celebration.

Pasayahan sa Lucena
Place: Lucena City, Quezon
Date: May 27 - 30
Composed of three celebrations, the Pasayahan features outlandish costumes and symbolic floats, which parade along the main street of the city. The first day serves as the celebration of the Feast of San Isidro Labrador. Locals hang crops, fruits, candies, and other goods on their homes. Ugat Lucena is celebrated on the second day where families retrace their origin and meet up with relatives from different clans. The last day serves as the Santacruzan Festival where the young ladies of the town parade wearing elaborately designed gowns made by local couturiers.