Lopez, Quezon

History

There was a flourishing coastal settlement somewhere in the southern part of the municipality of Gumaca called Talolong. The settlement's name was derived from the name of the river that traverses the place.

The original location of the settlement was in the marshy mouth of a sedate river, (myth) which was founded by the descendants of Datu Dumangsil and Datu Balinsusa of the Kalilayan kingdom. Due to the frequent plundering and terrorism of the pirates, the colony was transferred to the present town's location.

The settlement of Lakan Bugtali who founded the community of Gumaca was gone. Even a trace of its remains cannot be identified neither the vintages of the encomienda of Kalilayan nor a fraction of its 16th century glories. When it became a sitio through a papal bull, the village started to manage by her own.

Spanish Era

In 1756, some people from the town of Mayoboc (present-day Pitogo) sought refuge in the sitio as they fled the Moro raid that burned the town to the ground. After sometime, some of them become discontented with the affairs of governing the sitio, went back to the original site of Mayoboc and again formed a settlement on an uphill portion, more suitable to guard against the Moro pirates. It later came to be known as Pitogo.

After 45 years of numerous petitions, Governor General Fernando Norzagaray in Manila approved to separate Talolong from Gumaca on June 30, 1857, during the Governorship of Alcalde Mayor Don Candido Lopez y Diaz. The town was named after him, Lopez. Don Antonio Olivarez was the first gobernadorcillo.

American era

On April 9, 1900, the townsfolks fled to the forest when the Americans arrived in Lopez. On December 14, 1900, other prominent townsfolks were captured by the Americans and kept in the convent. On December 17, 1900, they were brought to Atimonan. Those who were kept in captivity were freed on December 24, 1900.

During this era, reformation of the local government and public works were done such as waterworks and irrigation, railways, and road pavements. Public market and municipal hall were built. Real property tax and cedula have been introduced too.

Japanese occupation era

On December 24, 1941, the Japanese arrived in Lopez. The guerrillas called Vera's Party led by Gen. Gaudencio V. Vera kept the Japanese at bay. They hunted Japanese soldiers and collaborators.

On March 12, 1945, the town was liberated by the combined forces of Vera's Party and American forces. The town was reduced to nothing, but one house - which is the house of Ramon Mopera.

Post-war and independence era

After the war, Gen. Vera appointed Juan Tabien to lead the municipal government. The townspeople immediately began to rebuild their homes in the hope of restoring their lives during pre-war days.

Marcos' Dictatorship

The 80s was marked by political crises. The 1984 parliamentary election was noted for its violence, being described as the bloodiest in the community's history, resulting in numerous civilian and military casualties. The rise of the New People's Army (NPA) during this period reflects the growing discontent and resistance among the populace during the Marcos dictatorship.

Mayor Nerio O. Ramos was assassinated and the wounding of Vice-Mayor Edgardo Gutierrez on July 22, 1985, by the NPA highlighted the escalating political violence.

The events leading to the 1986 People Power Revolution were characterized by widespread public unrest and calls for democratic reforms. The revolution ultimately led to the ousting of President Marcos and the establishment of a revolutionary government.

Post-People Power Era

Following the People Power Revolution, Corazon C. Aquino appointed Edgardo Ornedo as Officer-in-Charge of Lopez, marking a shift in local governance.

The inauguration of the Lopez-Catanauan Road by President Aquino symbolized the new government's commitment to local development.

In 1988, Dr. Joel E. Arago won the mayoral election, marking a significant political shift with a margin of over 10,000 votes. His administration prioritized infrastructure projects, including school buildings and community services, reflecting a focus on education and local welfare. He was re-elected in 1992 which made him the first mayor in Lopez to serve three consecutive terms, indicating strong public support.

Isaias B. Ubana II succeeded Dr. Arago and became the youngest municipal mayor at age 31 in 1998, implementing significant changes during his tenure. His administration focused on infrastructure, including the construction of new school buildings and health centers, enhancing local education and healthcare services.

He was re-elected multiple times, becoming the longest-serving mayor in Lopez, with a total of 15 years in office. His tenure saw the establishment of state universities, positioning Lopez as an educational center in Quezon Province.

On September 27, 2002, the NPA have attacked the police station which resulted to the deaths of 3 police officers and one police officer wounded. This attack underscored the prevalence of the rebel group in the municipality.

In 2016, Rachel A. Ubana became the first woman mayor of Lopez, continuing the legacy of her husband, Isaias B. Ubana II. Her administration aims to support community development and welfare through various projects and initiatives. The local government has focused on enhancing educational opportunities and infrastructure, building on previous administrations' efforts. The municipality's economy has shown growth, with significant annual revenue reported for 2023, indicating a positive trend in local governance.

In 2023, more than 1000 NPA members have surrendered to the authorities since Lopez was declared insurgent-free.

On June 30, 2025, Isaias B. Ubana II was re-elected as mayor after serving as a provincial board member during his wife's tenure.

Geography

Lopez is one of the largest municipalities in the province and has a total land area of 395.1 square kilometers representing 4.53% of the total land area of the province of Quezon. It is located in the southern part of the province, 216 km from Manila, 86 km east from Lucena, and 3 nautical kilometers to Alabat Island.

The terrain generally ranges from 345 to above sea level with rugged mountain areas. Coastal areas deviate from plain to hilly terrains. Rivers, streams and springs abound throughout the municipality, but the most prominent is the Talolong River.

It is bordered by the municipalities of Catanauan and General Luna on the south, Macalelon on the south-west, Calauag on the north-east, Gumaca on the west, Buenavista and Guinayangan on the east.

Barangays

Lopez is politically subdivided into 95 barangays, as indicated below. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

Currently, there are 8 barangays which are classified as urban

Climate

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Demographics

Settlement areas in the municipality are highly scattered; population concentration is noticeable only within the poblacion, that is, the urban barangays of Burgos, Danlagan, Gomez, Magsaysay, Rizal, San Lorenzo Ruiz (Bocboc) and Talolong as well as the rural barangays of Mal-ay, Sugod, Pansol, Calantipayan, Manguisian, Del Pilar, Bebito, Canda Ibaba and Canda Ilaya which are traversed by the national highway. The rest of rural barangays are reached by other road networks which are accessible during dry and wet season. According to the 2007 census, it had a population of 86,660, a quarter of which are in the urban areas and the rest are in the rural areas. Males outnumbered the females at a ratio of 105.34 to 100. The population grew to 95,167 in the 2015 census.

Aldrin Ludovice Salipande (2022) reports that Inagta Lopenze is spoken in Villa Espina and nearby barangays in Lopez.

Religion

• Roman Catholic
• Iglesia Ni Cristo
• Seventh-Day Adventist
• Jehovah's Witnesses
• Baptist
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day saints
• Church of God
• Evangelical
• Word for the World Christian Fellowship
• Islam

Churches

There are four (4) parishes located in different parts of the municipality under the supervision of the Diocese of Gumaca.

• Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Parish (OLMHRP - Lopez Poblacion, est. 1861)

• San Isidro Labrador Parish (SILP -Hondagua, est. 1961)
• Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish (SHJP - Magsaysay, est. 2008)
• Good Shepherd Parish (GSP - Magallanes, est. 2011)

Other places of worship:

• Angel's Hill Seventh-day Adventist Church
• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Gateway of Grace Christian Church
• Iglesia Ni Cristo - Quezon East
• Kingdom Hall Of Jehovah's Witnesses
• Lighthouse Bible Baptist Church
• Masjid - Lopez
• Monasterio de Santa Clara
• Peninsula Bible Baptist Church
• United Church of Christ in the Philippines

Economy

Lopez had a labor force of 56.99% in 2000 or 44,849. About 9,474 of the employed labor force were engaged in primary industries such as farming and fishing. Its economy is basically engaged in agriculture, crops, poultry and livestock production. Around 17,778.57 ha represent 45% of the total land area planted to coconut trees, 2,300 has. are established to rice production, 628 has. to corn harvest. Growing around are natural materials for handicraft such as wild vines, buri, anahaw, tikiw, bamboo, cogon and talahib. Several cottage industries exist in the locality such as bamboo furniture, bolo, baskets, rattan, anahaw and buri fan making, buntal and tikiw. It also has rich fishing grounds in the Lopez Bay area and a number of inland fishponds. Fish, shrimps, prawns, crabs and other sea products are abundant.

Rice is also a major staple crop, the municipality is also a major banana producer in the region. Other crops grown in the municipality are citrus, root crops, vegetables and industrial crops. Majority of the farmers are also raising livestock and poultry.

Tourism

• Binutas Cave - also a man-made cave dating back the Japanese Occupation period. Used by the guerrillas as a tactical war maneuver point. Located in Barangay Matinik, just beside the PNR Railways.

• Dumagundong Falls - is a natural waterfall located in Barangay Villa Espina. The falls are known for their raw and untouched beauty. The waterfall's name is derived from the "dagundong," or deep, rushing sound of the water, which can be heard even before you see the cascade. It is a significant cultural site, being home to the Aeta community, and offers a unique blend of nature, heritage, and mystery.

• Gen. Gaudencio Vera's Monument - located in Barangay Lalaguna. Erected to commemorate the heroism and bravery of Gen. Gaudencio Vera during the Japanese period. He was the leader of the guerrilla faction called Vera's Guerrilla Party operating in the Southern Tagalog and Northern Bicol.

• Lalaguna Marshland and Bird Sanctuary - located in Barangay Lalaguna. It covers 130 hectares of freshwater habitat, supporting a variety of bird species including the endemic Philippine Duck, as well as over 120 other bird species that migrate here during winter from other countries. Recognized as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by Birdlife International.

• Pansol Mangrove Walkway - Located at Barangay Pansol and can be accessed from the Maharlika Highway.

• Pulong Niyogan - an islet off the shore of Barangay Hondagua, noted for its unspoiled fine sand beach and varieties of corals and fish.

• Tibag Cave - a man-made cave shelter dating back to World War II. Said to be a hiding place of the guerrillas who fought the Japanese invaders. Located in Barangay Talolong.

Culture

Festivals and celebrations

• Patronal Town Fiesta, in honor of the town's patroness, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary - October 7
• Pamaypayan Festival Day, April 30 (also Kapistahan ng Pamahalaang Bayan, to establish a distinct feast day from the traditionally celebrated patronal feast day every 7 October).
• Foundation Day, June 30, 1857, when Sitio/Visita Talolong became a Town (Pueblo) independent and separate from Gumaca, Quezon (Tayabas)
• Mayflower Festival, or the Flores de Maria, celebrated the whole month of May, culminating with a solemn procession around the poblacion, and on to the night of celebration in dance and songs of praise at the end of the month. The length of the annual procession is said to be one of the longest wherein the head of the line usually arrives back to the church just as the tail is leaving.

Sports

Lopez Sports Centre is noted for its cockfighting which is held every Sunday. In 2009, it was visited by Charley Boorman as part of By Any Means 2.

Government

Local government

Main article: Sangguniang Bayan

Pursuant to the Local Government Code of 1991, the municipality of Lopez is to be composed of a mayor (Punong Bayan), a vice mayor (Pangalawang Punong Bayan) and members (Kagawad) of the legislative branch Sangguniang Bayan alongside a secretary to the said legislature, all of which are elected to a three-year term and are eligible to run for three consecutive terms.

Barangays are also headed by elected officials: Barangay Chairman, Barangay Council, whose members are called Barangay Councilors. The barangays have SK federation which represents the barangay, headed by SK chairperson and whose members are called SK councilors. All officials are also elected every three years.

The current seat of the municipal government is located along the national highway in Barangay Talolong in the poblacion.

List of former chief executives

Public Services

• Number of Hospitals
  • Public - 1
  • Private - 1
• Number of Private Health Clinics - 4
• Number of Barangay Health Centers - 31
• Number of Police Personnel - 79
• Number of Fire Personnel - 18
• Communication and Transportation Facilities
  • Number of Postal Offices - 2
  • Number of Mobile Phone Companies - 3
  • Number of Landline Phone Companies - 2
  • Number of Telegraph Stations - 2
  • Number of CATV Companies - 1
  • Number of FM Radio Stations - 2

Infrastructure

Communication

Lopez is served by landline and mobile phone companies like the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Globe, Smart, Sun Cellular, and DITO Telecommunity. Wi-Fi providers like Converge ICT also operate within the city.

Public Transportation

Land Transportation

Buses connect Lopez to Parañaque Integrated Terminal Exchange, Lucena Grand Terminal, and Alabang in Muntinlupa, and other parts of Quezon, including Bondoc Peninsula towns. Bus companies such as JAC Liner, Lucena Lines, DLTBCo, A&B Liner, P&O Liner and Raymond Transportation bring passengers to Manila and Lucena back and forth.

A 6-kilometer bypass road was built in order ease the bottleneck along busy Manila South Road-Daang Maharlika Highway.

Lopez also has a wide network of jeepney routes, all emanating from the poblacion (Bayan) and reaching out to the major barangays of the city, as well as nearby towns.

Hundreds of tricycles also roam the streets of the city, bringing passengers right at their point of destination.

A bridge connecting to Alabat Island is currently under construction.

Railways

The Philippine National Railways (PNR) is on the process of rehabilitating the existing Manila-Bicol railway Line, which includes stops in Quezon province, including PNR Lopez station and PNR Hondagua station.

Sea Transport

The port of Hondagua is located in Lopez Bay, which faces the Pacific Ocean.

It is used for loading copra and discharging grain and oil and is accessible via the paved provincial road connecting the Hondagua road and a rough causeway leading to the port.

Healthcare

Lopez has a private and public hospital. Both types of institutions are considered to provide the same standard of healthcare and services, differing mainly with the medical and diagnostic facilities.

Here are the hospitals available in the city:

• Lopez Saint Jude General Hospital
• Magsaysay Memorial District Hospital

Education

Lopez is often referred to as the educational center of southern Quezon due to the concentration of academic institutions in the municipality. A wide range of public and private schools operate in the town, offering programs from the elementary and secondary levels to vocational, diploma, baccalaureate degree and graduate programs. These institutions serve not only residents of Lopez but also students from neighboring municipalities across the Bondoc Peninsula and, in some cases, even from parts of the Bicol Region.

There are two schools district offices which govern all educational institutions within the municipality. They oversee the management and operations of all private and public, from primary to secondary schools. These are the Lopez East Schools District, and Lopez West Schools District.

Primary and elementary schools

• Alat-alatin Elementary School
• Banabahin Elementary School
• Beata Sai Integrated School
• Bebito Elementary School
• Binahian A Elementary School
• Binahian B Elementary School
• Cagacag Elementary School
• Canda Ibaba Elementary School
• Canda Ilaya Elementary School
• Cawayanin Elementary School
• Cogorin Ibaba Elementary School
• Cogorin Ilaya Elementary School
• Concepcion Elementary School
• Don Emilio Salumbides Elementary School
• Don Gregorio C. Yumul Sr. Elementary School
• Don Marcos Villegas Sr. Elementary School
• Don Mariano L. Barrameda Elementary School
• Don Mateo Lopez Elementary School
• Don Rodolfo F. Agra Elementary School
• Escuela Dela Consorcia Elementary School
• Esperanza Ibaba Elementary School
• Gomez Elementary School
• Guihay Elementary School
• Guites Elementary School
• Hondagua Elementary School
• Ilayang Ilog A Elementary School
• Ilayang Ilog B Elementary School
• Inalusan Elementary School
• Institute of Christian Educators Baptist Education System
• Jongo Elementary School
• Lalaguna I Elementary School
• Lalaguna Rural Academy
• Lopez Adventist Elementary School
• Lopez Quezon Multipurpose Cooperative Academy
• Lopez West Elementary School
• Lourdes Elementary School
• Mabanban Elementary School
• Magallanes Elementary School
• Matinik Elementary School
• Most Holy Rosary Parochial School
• New Jerusalem School
• Pamampangin Elementary School
• Pansol Elementary School
• Pisipis Elementary School
• Rosario Elementary School
• Samat Elementary School
• San Andres Elementary School
• San Francisco B Elementary School
• San Francisco B (Culong) Elementary School
• San Miguel Dao I Elementary School
• San Miguel Dao II Elementary School
• San Rafael Elementary School
• Santa Elena Elementary School
• Sta. Catalina Elementary School
• Sto. Niño Elementary School
• Sumalang Elementary School
• Talolong Elementary School
• Tan-Ag Elementary School
• Vegaflor Elementary School
• Vergaña Elementary School
• Veronica Elementary School
• VIlla Aurora Elementary School
• VIllaespina Elementary School
• Villageda Elementary School
• Villahermosa Elementary School
• Villaminda Elementary School

Secondary schools

• Aceba Systems Technology Institute
• Cogorin Ibaba National High School
• Dao National High School
• Eastern Tayabas College
• Guites National High School
• Hondagua National High School
• Hondagua Port High School
• Ilayang Ilog A National High School
• Jongo National High School
• Lalaguna Rural Academy
• Lopez National Comprehensive High School
• Magallanes National High School
• Most Holy Rosary Parochial School
• Pamampangin National High School
• Pisipis National High School
• San Francisco B National High School
• Sta. Catalina National High School
• Sto. Nino Ilaya National High School
• Veronica National High School

Technical and vocational schools

• Keystone Technical Institute
• Lopez Municipal Training Center
• Lopez Quezon Multipurpose Cooperative Academy
• Mission Care International School of Caregiver

Higher educational institution

• Laguna State Polytechnic University Lopez satellite campus
• Philippine Normal University South Luzon campus
• Polytechnic University of the Philippines Lopez campus
• Technological University of the Philippines Quezon campus

Notable personalities

• Denok Miranda, former PBA player and coach in the UAAP
• Desiree del Valle – actress
• Emilio Marquez – former bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lucena, first Bishop of Gumaca
• Gaudencio Vera – Filipino politician; former 2nd district representative and guerilla leader.
• Rafael Vilar - Filipino politician; former 2nd district representative and lawyer.

References

References

1. (July 4, 2025). "Municipal Mayor - Lopez Quezon".
2. (July 4, 2025). "Municipal Vice Mayor - Lopez Quezon".
3. (July 4, 2025). "Municipal Council - Lopez Quezon".
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6. Huerta, Felix de, O.F.M.. (1865). "''Estado Geografico, Topografico, Estadistico, Historico-religioso, de la Santa y Apostolica Provincia de S. Gregorio Magno, de Religiosos Menores Descalzos de la Regular y mas Estrecha Observancia N.S.P.S. Francisco, en las Islas Filipinas''". Imprenta de M. Sánchez y Ca.
7. "Foreign News Briefs - UPI Archives".
8. (September 29, 2002). "GMA, PNP score NPA Quezon raid". Philippine Star.
9. (March 25, 2023). "Higit 1,000 NPA sumuko sa Lopez, Quezon". Pilipino Star Ngayon.
10. "2007 Census of Population". [[Philippine Statistics Authority]].
11. Salipande, Aldrin Ludovice. 2022. ''[https://static.sched.com/hosted_files/seals31/cd/Phonology%20of%20Agta%20Lopenze%20%28Salipande%29.pdf Phonology of Agta Lopenze]''. Presentation given at the 31st Annual Meeting of the Southeast Asian Linguistics Society (SEALS 31), [[University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa]], May 18–20, 2022.
12. (Oct 1, 2016). "IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: Anas luzonica". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
13. "Lalaguna marsh". Birdlife International.
14. "Charley Boorman: Sydney to Tokyo By Any Means". BBC.
15. "An Act Providing for a Local Government Code of 1991". 8th Congress of the Republic of the Philippines.
16. (November 8, 2019). "DPWH constructs bridge to link Alabat Island to mainland Quezon". Department of Public Works and Highways.
17. Mole, Anna. (February 7, 2025). "DPWH constructs bridge to link Alabat Island to mainland Quezon". Philippine Information Agency.
18. Villeza, Mark Ernest. (August 12, 2025). "PNR begins restoration of Southern Tagalog rail line". Philippine Star.
19. "Hondagua PHHON Details: Departures, Expected Arrivals and Hondagua (Philippines) Calls".
20. (January 15, 2021). "Masterlist of Schools".