Lucena was first as "Buenavista" which means beautiful scenic spots. Later, the name "Buenavista" was changed to Oroquieta" in honor of the Spanish Governor-general Oroquieta. Then the place was called "Cotta" meaning strong port. Pursuant to an "Orden Real Super Civil" promulgated on November 5, 1879 the name Lucena was given to the community as tribute to the late Reverend Mariano Granja, a Jesuit prelate of the town of Lucena, Province of Andalucia, Spain. Before Lucena became a municipality on June 23,1880, it was a barrio of the town of Tayabas, then the capital of the Province of the Tayabas (now Quezon Province).

     When the civil government was established in the Province of Tayabas on March 12,1901, Lucena was made the capital of the province.

     During WWII Lucena experience some grim realities of war in the hands of the Japanese military forces. Fortunately, the city was not devastated by the war.

     By virtue of Republic Act No. 3271 Lucena became a chartered city. Congressman Manuel S. Enverga of the first district of Quezon and Congressman Pascual Espinosa sponsored the bill creating the City of Lucena. It passed both houses of Congress on march 7, 1961.

     The city of Lucena was inagurated on August 19, 1962 on the occasion of the 84^th Birth Anniversary of the late president Manuel L. Quezon

     Natural population growth and the tendency of the people to migrate in this place contributed to the event increasing population of the city. Today Lucena with approximately 166,946 people flourishes as a fast developing urban community.

Geography

     Bounded on the north and northeast by the Municipality of Pagbilao, on the south and southeast by the Tayabas Bay, on the southwest by the the Municipality of Sariayaya, and on the northwest by the municipality of Tayabas, Lucena City at the Southeastern part of Quezon Province is approximately 137 kilometers southeast of Manila via the Philippines-Japan Friendship Highway.

       As one of the busiest fishing ports and a major domestic passenger seaport in Luzon, Lucena has become a gateway to Southern Tagalog, Metro Manila and other parts of Mainland Luzon from the Bicol region and the island provinces of Marinduque, Masbate, Palawan, and Romblon. The City is linked to its neighboring towns, cities, and provinces through various transport networks -- roads, railways, sea and air