QUEZON
*Quezon   Province is bounded on the
north by the province of Aurora, on the
west by the provinces of Laguna and
Rizal, on the southwest by the province
of Batangas and on the southeast by
Camarines Norte and Camarines Sur.
*Quezon's   topography is characterized by
rugged terrain with few plains, valleys and
swamps. Only narrow strips of land along
the coast and river valley are available for
growing crops. The undulating lowlands
along the coast are well drained. The
province is very narrow, averaging about
thirty (30) kilometers by its width.
*Slope of the province ranges from 0-
3% slopes and above. The topography
of the area permits prime agricultural
activities within the province.
            HISTORY OF QUEZON
*The province formerly known as Tayabas,
was explored by the Spaniards in 1571 and
1572 when Juan de Salcedo visited and
explored upon the order of the first Spanish
Governor General of the Philippines, Miguel
Lopez de Legaspi. They passed through the
central portion of Tayabas in his march
across Laguna Province to Paracale.
*The following years, Salcedo led his
famous expeditions around the
northern coast of Luzon. He visited
the    "CONTRACOSTA"       towns   of
Casiguran, Baler and Infanta.
*In 1574, Father Diego de Oropesa,
who found a group of native barangays
with    their  own     culture    and
government, founded the municipality
of Gumaca, then called Bumaka.
*The  territory which now constitutes the
province of Tayabas was at one time under
the jurisdiction of various provinces. The
southern and central portions, for example,
were in 1585 under the jurisdiction of the
province of Bonbon, sometimes called
Balayan (now Batangas). the northern
portion was divided between Laguna and
Nueva Ecija, while the other portion was
divided into the provinces of Mindoro,
Marinduque and Camarines.
*In 1591, Tayabas was created into a province
under the name of Kalilayan. Its capital was
the ancient town of Tayabas, now a barrio in
the town of Unisan where ancient tombs and
artifacts can be found. However, by the
middle of the 18th century the provincial
capital was moved to what is now the
municipality of Tayabas.
*The   year 1595 marked the spiritual birth
of Quezon Province with its incorporation
into the Diocess of Nueva Caceres. The
first Catholic Bishop of the province was
Fray Francisco Ortiga, an Agustinian Friar,
while its first Alcalde Mayor was Don
Simeon Alvarez, who served from 1625 to
1655.
*In September 7, 1946, President Manuel A.
Roxas, by virtue of Republic Act No. 14
renamed the province to Quezon, in honor
of the late President Manuel L. Quezon,
the most illustrious son of Baler, formerly
part of Quezon.
*The present seat of provincial government
is Lucena City, the province's capital.
Failed Proposal to divide Quezon
In 2007, Republic Act No. 9495 was proposed to
further   divide     Quezon into  Quezon   del
Norte and Quezon del Sur. (see Quezon del Sur
creation plebiscite, 2008)
 Quezon del Norte was to be composed of the first
and second congressional districts of the province
(Burdeos,                                  General
Nakar, Infanta, Jomalig, Lucban, Mauban, Pagbilao,
 Panukulan, Patnanungan, Polilio, Real, Sampaloc,
Tayabas,        Candelaria,      Dolores,      San
Antonio, Sariaya, Tiaong and Lucena), with Lucena
as its capital.
*Quezon  del Sur, with its capital at Gumaca,
would have been composed of the third and
fourth          congressional          districts
(Agdangan, Buenavista, Catanauan, General
Luna,      Macalelon,      Mulanay,       Padre
Burgos, Pitogo, San Andres, San Francisco, San
Narciso, Unisan, Alabat, Atimonan, Calauag, G
uinayangan, Gumaca, Lopez, Perez, Plaridel,
Quezon and Tagkawayan). The act lapsed into
law without the signature of President Gloria
Macapagal-Arroyo on September 7, 2007.[23]
*As   required by law, the COMELEC held
a plebiscite on December 13, 2008, 60
days after Republic Act No. 9495 took
effect. The majority of the votes cast
rejected the division, therefore the
split did not push through.
     TOURIST
DESTINATIONS
QUEZON NATIONAL FOREST PARK
*Located   in Western municipalities of Atimonan,
 Pagbilao and Padre Burgos.
*The park itself is heavily forested, from the start
 of the road in the lowland, all the way down to
 the other side of the park.
*Some   activities that you do here: Trekking, Bird
 Watching and Exploring.
*The attractions of the park are Mt. Mirado, Flora
 and Fauna, Bantakay Falls, Bantakay Caves,
 Cueva Santa and Nilubugan Cave.
ISLAND OF BALESIN
It's only a 20-minute plane ride from Manila, but
Balesin Island will take you all over the world.
Located east of Mauban, Quezon, the 500-
hectare exclusive island doesn't just boast of
pristine white sands and clear waters.
Nestled amid its flora and fauna are villages
inspired by different destinations around the
world: Balesin, first of all, Bali in Indonesia,
Mykonos in Greece, Costa del Sol in Spain,
Toscana in Italy, St. Tropez in France, and Phuket
in Thailand.
HAND OF
  JESUS
 SHRINE
*Kamay    ni Hesus Shrine can be
found in the town of Lucban,
Quezon. This is one of the most
visited   places    in   the   area,
especially during Lenten season
(Visita Iglesia).
CAGBALETE ISLAND
*Cagbalete Island is one of the jewels of Quezon
 Province.
*Located in Mauban, Quezon.
*It is another island paradise  in the province
 surrounded with cream sand that exposes
 significantly during low tide.
*The   1,640-hectare privately owned island is
 home to a diverse ecosystem. With unique
 variety of birds, rich marine life, and the
 abundance of unique species of plants, the
 island is a complete paradise for adventurers
 and nature lovers.
ALIBIJABAN ISLAND
*Alibijaban Island is a small Island located off the
 Southeastern coast of Bondoc Peninsula in the
 Philippines. It belongs administratively to the
 municipality of San Andres, Quezon Province. It
 was the island’s mangrove forest, wide and
 white sand bar and crystal clear water that
 makes the trip all worth it. One of the
 uncommon places you must visit. A very serene
 isaland with unspoiled and preserved with its
 natural beauty.
KWEBANG LAMPAS
*The  infamous Kwebang Lampas and Puting
Buhangin Beach is located at Isla Polo,
Pagbilao Quezon that is a four to five hours
drive from Metro Manila. Basically, the name
of the island was coined as the island doesn’t
only offers its visitors its white beach and
clear waters but also offers a magnificent
cave that can be visited during low-tides that
is around 7AM to 10AM.
MALAGONLONG BRIDGE
*Malagonlong  Bridge is a five-span
455 ft. long stone arch bridge built
during the Spanish Colonial Period in
Tayabas, Quezon, Philippines.
Salibungot Beach
Balagbag Falls
Ugu Bigyan Pottery
FESTIVALS OF
     QUEZON
PAHIYAS FESTIVAL
*The  Lucban San Isidro Pahiyas Festival,
the Philippines’ most colorful harvest
festival that celebrated on May I5.
Various events and activities are lined up
to make the Pahiyas more exciting.
*They celebrate the Pahiyas to thank God
for the bountiful harvest and honor the
Patron Saint of farmers, San Isidro de
Labrador.
NIYOGYUGAN FESTIVAL
*In   2011, Quezon Province held the first AGRI-TOURISM
 Trade Fair featuring booths adorned by agricultural
 produce and products from different municipalities here
 in Quezon. In 2012, the very first provincial festival aptly
 called, NIYOGYUGAN Festival, the celebration of the
 tree of life, was organized. The Niyogyugan, which came
 from the words "niyog" and "yugyog" (to move to a
 beat), was conceptualized by former Congresswoman
 Aleta    Suarez   and   there   will   be   3   inter-related
 events/competitions namely: Float, Dance, and Festival
 Queen.
KATANG FESTIVAL
*This Genus Scylla species or mud crab throughout tropical
 warm temperature zone of the pacific region, and are
 found commonly in mangrove forests and habits. The size
 high heat yield and delicate flavor mean that they highly
 priced for coastal residents for they are easily caught
 using simple traps or net. Calauag is one of the coastal
 municipalities which blessed with bountiful marine
 resource and sea products especially the mud crabs,
 locally known as KATANG. Every year we are celebrating
 the founding anniversary of Calauag, were our Kababayans
 from other places, people from neighboring towns and
 visitors do come and visit us, were the Calaugeneans
 disply all our unique special products like Katang for them
 to see, we are show our interest to sell them, and finnaly
 open our door to tourism.
CANDLE FESTIVAL
*This  is the celebration of the ritual
purification of Mary, which, as required by
Jewish law, took place forty days after
the birth of her child. Candle Festival is
February 2.
*The color of the candle used in devotion
that symbolized to all the wishes of the
debutant in Virgin Mary. Pink (the answer
of the prayers) Red (prayers that granted)
purple (repentance) White (prayer that
pray to the Lord after the novena).
MAUBANOG FESTIVAL
*Maubanog    Festival is a seven day
cultural extravaganza that features
the town’s colorful history amiable
people, tasty cuisine and of course,
its locally fermented only-in-Mauban
nipa wine! Known for its unique
aroma and tangy taste, the nipa
wine, popularly known as lambanog,
is one of Mauban’s top agricultural
produce.
SINAMPALUKAN FESTIVAL
*Like  any other town with beautiful and nurtured
 traditions, Sampaloc has finally decided to pool all its
 resources to create a festival that would reflect its
 inherent culture, show to every one the products of
 which Sampaloc is known for, showcase the hidden
 talent of its people, to create a niche in the tourism
 map.
* Like other grand undertakings that started with small
 steps, Sampaloc began its initial step by launching its
 first Sinampalukan Festival which reflects the “awit,
 sayaw at katuwaan ng mga Sampalukin”.
*It is primarily conceptualized as a way of giving
 thanks to the patron saint San Vicente Ferrer.
BILAO FESTIVAL
*The Concept of Bilao Festival originated as
 a salvo to the celebration of Araw ng
 Parokya on August 31, 2002.
*It showcases the rich resources, traditions,
 values, aspirations, customs, history,
 culture, and arts of the municipality of
 Municipality of Pagbilao, Quezon through
 dances, colorful costumes, and extra
 ordinary props all derived from local
 materials.
DELICASIES IN
     QUEZON
                  YEMA CAKE
Known as the best yema
cake in the Philippines,
Rodilla's yema cake is a
product of a family
business that flourished
through the years by
perfecting   the    right
recipe of the yema.
Today Rodilla's yema
cake is definitely the
favorite cake in every
occasion.
LAMBANOG
    Once considered a lowly
    peasant's drink whose potency
    is said to put other liquors and
    spirits worldwide in the shade,
    the     "lambanog"      is   the
    Philippine version of vodka.
    The family-owned Capistrano
    Distillery    in   coconut-rich
    Tayabas in Quezon is one of
    two leading Philippine makers
    of lambanog.
       BUDIN OR CASSAVA CAKE
*Cassava   or BUDIN is a
 known delicacy in Tayabas
 City. A street called Calle
 Budin    in   Tayabas     is
 dedicated for those who
 want to buy budin as their
 pasalubong.
*Cassavalicious is the brand
 that sells cassava in malls
 and created a much
 attractive packaging for
 the local budin of Tayabas.
LONGGANISANG LUCBAN
       Is a very popular garlicky and
       slightly sour sausage that is similar
       to chorizo de bilbao, the famous
       garlic sausage from Spain. This
       Longganisa originates from the town
       of Lucban in Quezon Province,
       Philippines. When you visit Lucban,
       you could see locals making it and
       displayed in many parts of the
       town. is identified for its aromatic
       and garlic smell. It is basically made
       from ground pork mixed with herbs
       and lots of garlic.
                       PUTO BAO
A dish from Unisan and
Agdangan      which      became
popular through the annual
Niyogyugan Festival, puto bao is
made from glutinous rice,
similar    to   other    Filipino
kakanins. However, its purple
color often fools people who
mistake it for an ube-derived
delicacy. The real surprise in
puto     bao    lies   in     the
caramelized shredded coconut
filling that gives this sticky
treat the sweet kick.
PANCIT HABHAB
        No utensils needed: just
        open your mouth and savor
        all   the    goodness     of
        Lucban’s pancit habhab.
        Named for the way it is
        eaten, pancit habhab is
        made from dried miki
        noodles and topped with
        pork meat, liver, chorizo de
        bilbao,     and     sautéed
        vegetables, served warm
        on a banana leaf in true
        Pinoy fashion.
                     MINUKMOK
Long        before        romantic
relationships were via Tinder,
young couples from Quezon had
to devise clever ways to spend
some time with each other with
the approval of the woman’s
strict parents. Men would ask
women to make minukmok, a
traditional delicacy made from
pounded saging saba, sugar,
margarine, peanut butter, and
even alangan (young coconut meat). The pounding of the saging
saba, which was a bonding moment for the couple, also carries
superstition. It is believed that the quality of the minukmok—
whether its fine or clumpy—determines the course the
relationship will take.