QUEZON PROVINCE is part of REGION IV-A or CALABARZON (CALABARZON stands for CAvite, LAguna, BAtangas, Rizal and QueZON Province).
The province is named after MANUEL L. QUEZON, the second President of the Philippines. QUEZON is located southeast of Metro Manila. It is bordered by the provinces of Aurora to the north; Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Batangas to the west and the provinces of Camarines Sur and Camarines Norte to the east.
QUEZON PROVINCE is composed of 2 cities (LUCENA and TAYABAS) and 39 municipalities ( AGDANGAN, ALABAT, ATIMONAN, BUENAVISTA, BURDEOS, CALAUAG, CANDELARIA, CATANAUAN, DOLORES, GENERAL LUNA, GENERAL NAKAR, GUINAYANGAN, GUMACA, INFANTA, JOMALIG, LOPEZ, LUCBAN, MACALELON, MAUBAN, MULANAY, PADRE BURGOS, PAGBILAO, PANUKULAN, PATNANUNGAN, PEREZ, PLARIDEL, PITOGO, POLILLO, QUEZON, REAL, SAMPALOC, SAN ANDRES, SAN ANTONIO, SAN FRANCISCO, SAN NARCISO, SARIAYA, TAGKAWAYAN, TIAONG, and UNISAN). *I already visited the places in YELLOW ink
For this blog, I will share stories about my numerous trips to QUEZON PROVINCE to provide insights where to go, what to do, and what to eat and what you can have for "pasalubong"...
Quezon Province is one of my favorite destinations not only due to its proximity to my present assignment but also because of the wide variety of places to go...
Quezon Province is the "huge" link between the BICOL REGION and METRO MANILA. Majority of the trip between REGION 5 and the BIG CITY is consumed in the long stretch of Quezon Province.
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| THE MAIN INTERSECTION ROAD @ DIVERSION ROAD, LUCENA CITY |
LUCENA, the capital city, is the most strategic location to start the adventures to the different places of the province. The capital city is within the multitude and variety of places which can be considered as PARADISE...the city is adjacent to TAYABAS CITY and the municipalities of SARIAYA and PAGBILAO. The towns of CANDELARIA, LUCBAN and MAUBAN are also within short travel distance from the capital city.
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| THE INTERSECTION ROAD ALONG DIVERSION ROAD, LUCENA CITY (DIRECTIONAL GUIDE) |
How to go and how much will you spend if you take the PUBLIC TRANSPORT SERVICES?
Below is the long list of PLACES TO GO AND THINGS TO DO WHILE IN QUEZON PROVINCE: (To have clear and complete information of the featured different places, links are provided)
1. CLEANEST RESTROOM
The first stop after a long journey from Metro Manila and any other parts of the country is the CLEANEST RESTROOM. It is located within the compound of the PTT gasoline station along the DIVERSION ROAD in LUCENA CITY, about 2 kilometers away from the main intersection road in the capital city. The intersecting road leads to LUCENA CITY proper while the opposite way leads to the city proper of TAYABAS and the municipalities of MAUBAN, LUCBAN and SAMPALOC.
For a voluntary minimum donation of 20 pesos which will go to different charitable projects, you can use the clean facilities of the place and rest in a very welcoming interior design of the structure.
2. A COFFEE SHOP
After taking rest and personal necessities at the cleanest restroom, another beautiful stop also within the compound of that PTT compound is a coffee shop with wide variety of food and drinks to choose from and with great ambiance. The coffee shop is actually a common thing for Lucena City, Tayabas City and the municipality of Lucban. The CAFE JUNGLE has two branches in Tayabas City, another branch in Lucban and that one in Lucena City. They are all located within the compound of the PTT gasoline station.
Reaching the city proper of LUCENA, there are plenty of restaurants to satisfy your hunger and thirst. There are restaurants which can only be located in the city. There are also fast-food chains and restaurants which are branches of those that can be found in the BIG CITY. A wide variety to choose from. There is a COFFEE shop in the city proper that serves a different type of burger, it is colored black. You have to try it when in Quezon Province because it can only be found in that restaurant called CAFE QUAY.
4. PANSIT AND LONGGANISANG LUCBAN
If you are looking for local foods in Quezon Province, BUDDY'S PIZZA is the best place for you. There are branches within SM CITY LUCENA, PACIFIC MALL LUCENA, LUCBAN TOWN PROPER and LUCENA CITY proper and even in some parts of Metro Manila.
5. HOUSE OF PIZZA IN QUEZON PROVINCE
This is another destination for pizza lovers and other products in Quezon province, the GROUND ZERO HOUSE OF PIZZA. It has branches in LUCENA CITY town proper and LUCBAN.
6. THE NIYOGYUGAN FESTIVAL
This is one of the most awaited Festivals in Quezon province where the creativity of the residence are being displayed in the crafts and structures made of coconut and other products from the province.
7. QUEZON PROVINCIAL CAPITOL
The provincial capitol is located in the capital city of LUCENA CITY. It is strategically situated near the city proper and has remarkable structures within the vicinity of the PEREZ PARK, the QUEZON CONVENTION CENTER, the LUCENA CITY public market and other regional and provincial offices.
8. FLOATING BAMBOO RAFT
An excellent venue to satisfy your hunger and all senses...a perfect place to relax and unwind...KAMAYAN SA PALAISDAAN in TAYABAS CITY. Just a 45 minutes to 1 hour drive from LUCENA CITY is this restaurant with remarkable ambiance.
9. DELICACIES IN QUEZON PROVINCE
Quezon Province is known for many delicacies. The Pinagong of Sariaya, Yeam Cake, the longganisang Lucban and many others. This is the smaller type of "ESPASOL" which I prefer than the bigger size...
"PILIPIT" and "BUCHI" are common delicacies being sold by vendors and stores in Quezon Province particularly in TAYABAS CITY. "PILIPIT" is made of SQUASH or "KALABASA".
PINAGONG - delicious bread from Quezon Province
YEMA CAKE - yummy! excellent for meryenda and pasalubong
10. LOST PARADISE
This can be found along way in between TAYABAS CITY proper and LUCBAN town proper after KAMAYAN SA PALAISDAAN and before KAMAY NI HESUS SHRINE...NAWAWALNG PARAISO (LOST PARADISE)
11. KAMAY NI HESUS SHRINE
This is the best destination during SUNDAYS and HOLY WEEK since there are regular MASS during these days. The 300 steps upward climb to this 50 ft. structure is both excellent PHYSICAL and SPIRITUAL exercise.
12. SWIM IN "BATIS"
Just a few steps after the KAMAY NI HESUS SHRINE is another paradise perfect for daily tour and swimming or overnight stay...
This is the most awaited festival in the province happening every 15th of May in the municipality of LUCBAN...
This colorful festival with creative house designs and artistic costumes is actually an honor to the Patron Saint of LUCBAN, SAN ISIDRO LABRADOR, as thanksgiving for good harvests and blessed life...
14. GAT UBAN MONUMENT, MAUBAN
The location of this monument is along the MAUBAN shoreline which is the gateway to a beautiful destination in the town, the CAGBALETE ISLAND. The town proper of MAUBAN is about an hour drive from LUCENA CITY.
15. BALAI IN SARIAYA
There is a swimming pool resort and hotel within the vicinity of the SARIAYA town proper open for 24 hours daily. The town proper of Sariaya is located after the municipality of CANDELARIA and before reaching the cities of TAYABAS and LUCENA if you are travelling from Metro Manila.
16. SILANGANG NAYON IN PAGBILAO
Immediately after LUCENA CITY along the way going to the town of PAGBILAO is another remarkable paradise. It is another new place to enjoy as it is located along the shoreline. A restaurant with great ambiance with hotel rooms and park.
17. BAYVIEW ACCOMMODATION, PAGBILAO
Just a few minutes from SILANGANG NAYON is another breathtaking destination. The place is actually a place for board and lodging for the employees of the PAGBILAO POWER PLANT. The visit to the place is by invitation only. I was lucky to be invited to have a tour to this majestic place.
18. QUEZON NATIONAL PARK, ATIMONAN
Going south, next to PAGBILAO is the municiplaity of ATIMONAN, where the "BITUKANG MANOK" and the amazing "QUEZON NATIONAL PARK" can be found...
19. SHORELINES OF GUMACA
This is another great location for stop over after a long drive from MANILA going to BICOL or from BICOL going to MANILA...near the shoreline of boundary of the municipalities of GUMACA and ATIMONAN...
20. SAMPALOC
The municipality of SAMPALOC is located between MAUBAN and LUCBAN. The MAAPON RIVER, the GUINTO HANGING BRIDGE and WATERFALLS are the exciting places to see in SAMPALOC. During month of APRIL, the BULIHAN FESTIVAL or the mini-pahiyas festival is being celebrated.
THERE ARE OTHER THINGS AND PLACES TO BE ADDED IN THE LIST...SOON!
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