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Candelaria | |
|---|---|
| Municipality of Candelaria | |
     (from top, left to right): Welcome Arch, San Pedro Bautista Parish Church, Municipal Hall, Downtown Area, Devotional Candle Park | |
 Flag  Seal | |
Nicknames:
| |
 Map of Quezon with Candelaria highlighted | |
OpenStreetMap  | |
.svg)  Candelaria Location within thePhilippines | |
| Coordinates:13°55′52″N121°25′24″E / 13.9311°N 121.4233°E /13.9311; 121.4233 | |
| Country | Philippines |
| Region | Calabarzon |
| Province | Quezon |
| District | 2nd district |
| Founded | August 5, 1879 |
| Annexation toSariaya | May 17, 1902 |
| Reestablished | September 20, 1907 |
| Barangays | 25 (seeBarangays) |
| Government | |
| • Type | Sangguniang Bayan |
| • Mayor | George D. Suayan |
| • Vice Mayor | Ireneo C. Boongaling |
| • Representative | David C. Suarez |
| • Municipal Council | Members
|
| • Electorate | 89,174 voters (2025) |
| Area | |
• Total | 129.10 km2 (49.85 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 91 m (299 ft) |
| Highest elevation | 404 m (1,325 ft) |
| Lowest elevation | 24 m (79 ft) |
| Population (2024 census)[3] | |
• Total | 137,933 |
| • Density | 1,068.4/km2 (2,767.2/sq mi) |
| • Households | 36,690 |
| Demonym | Candelariahin |
| Economy | |
| • Income class | 1st municipal income class |
| • Poverty incidence | 15.85 |
| • Revenue | ₱ 553.7 million (2022) |
| • Assets | ₱ 1,396 million (2022) |
| • Expenditure | ₱ 323.5 million (2022) |
| • Liabilities | ₱ 169.4 million (2022) |
| Service provider | |
| • Electricity | Manila Electric Company (Meralco) |
| Time zone | UTC+8 (PST) |
| ZIP code | 4323 |
| PSGC | |
| IDD : area code | +63 (0)42 |
| Native languages | Tagalog |
| Website | www |
Candelaria, officially theMunicipality of Candelaria (Tagalog:Bayan ng Candelaria), is amunicipality in theprovince ofQuezon,Philippines. According to the 2024 census, it has a population of 137,933 people.[5]
It is the third most populous settlement of Quezon afterLucena andSariaya. Among the municipalities in Quezon Province, Candelaria has the most desiccated coconut factories and oil refineries, such as Peter Paul Philippine Corporation, Primex Coco Products Inc., Pacific Royal Basic Foods, SuperStar Corporation, Tongsan Industrial Development Corporation, and others, which employ thousands of people.
Prior to 1885, the pioneering barangays of Candelaria in its western part, Taguan (Bukal), Kinatihan and Masin were parts of the Municipality of Tiaong, while Malabanban, Mangilag and Santa Catalina in the east, were under the jurisdiction of the town of Sariaya. Don Ciriaco Nadres, a local leader of Barangay Masinand his wife Sra. Doña Baltazara Bustamante, with the support of Don Simeon Nadres and wife Doña Everista Ona, Don Justo Argao, Don Elino de Gala, Don Apolinario Gonzales, Don Tomas Cabuñag, Don Ignacio de Ramos, Don Domingo de Alday, Don Tomas Regidor, Don Juan del Valle, Don Ambrocio Salazar, Don Buenaventura Cedeño and Don Hipolito Martinez, proposed the establishment of an independent government over these barangays. They became known as the founding families of the town.
It was on December 26, 1878, that a permit was granted by theGovernor-General of the Philippine Islands, Domingo Moriones y Murillo for the establishment of an independent government over these barangays. Its boundaries were fixed by means of a treaty signed by the notable leaders of Tiaong, Sariaya and the founding families of Candelaria.
KingAlfonso XII ofSpain finally approved the establishment of Candelaria as an independent town on August 5, 1879.
In 1902, after the cessation of the general hostilities against the Americans, Candelaria was merged with the neighboring town of Sariaya.[6] In 1907, Candelaria was again managed independently, as a fourth-class municipality.[7] During the American regime, the town progressed by leaps and bounds. Many houses and public edifices were constructed, and commerce and industries grew, until the Japanese invasion brought a further wave of destruction.
Candelaria lies at the western part of the province, 108 kilometres (67 mi) from the nation's capitalManila, 22 kilometres (14 mi) from the provincial capitalLucena, and 61 kilometres (38 mi) fromBatangas City. To its northern part lies the famousMount Banahaw, to the east isSariaya, to the south isSan Juan, and to the west areDolores andTiaong. The neighboring cities areLucena,Tayabas,San Pablo andLipa. It is traversed by thePan Philippine Highway and thePhilippine National Railways.
Candelaria has an area of about 12,910 hectares (31,900 acres) and is an agricultural municipality, situated in the southern part of Mount Banahaw. The town proper is wedged by two rivers, namely, Masin and Quiapo rivers.
Candelaria is politically subdivided into 25barangays, as indicated in the matrix below. Each barangay consists ofpuroks and some havesitios.
| Barangay | Barangay Captain (2015) | Population (2024) |
|---|---|---|
| Buenavista East | Dionisio G. Aguila | 2,582 |
| Buenavista West | Cesar M. Limbo | 3,712 |
| Bukal Norte | William M. Navaliza | 3,059 |
| Bukal Sur | Gauden M. Cordero | 8,577 |
| Kinatihan I | Buenaventura M. Reyes | 1,884 |
| Kinatihan II | Manuel C. Hawak | 1,878 |
| Malabanban Norte | Fernando A. Alcantara | 12,538 |
| Malabanban Sur | Perfecto C. Alcantara | 9,684 |
| Mangilag Norte | Alfonso A. Semira | 3,498 |
| Mangilag Sur | Felimon R. Predilla Jr. | 8,786 |
| Masalukot I | Ireneo C. Boongaling | 7,060 |
| Masalukot II | Arnel B. Magcawas | 3,172 |
| Masalukot III | Eladio C. Carandang | 1,528 |
| Masalukot IV | Reverend H. Manalo | 831 |
| Masalukot V | Maximo S. Magadia | 783 |
| Masin Norte | Nelson H. Punzalan | 7,602 |
| Masin Sur | Reynaldo L. Cantos | 6,213 |
| Mayabobo | Arnel B. Ilao | 2,677 |
| Pahinga Norte | Manuel S. Ebora | 17,425 |
| Pahinga Sur | Estelito A. Sulit | 3,192 |
| Poblacion | Antonio Marinelo F. Emralino | 4,862 |
| San Andres | Librado M. Panaligan | 5,152 |
| San Isidro | Cesar V. Abdon | 5,835 |
| Santa Catalina Norte | Peter S. Malaluan | 7,161 |
| Santa Catalina Sur | Maila S. Escamillas | 8,242 |
| Climate data for Candelaria, Quezon | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 28 (82) | 28 (82) | 30 (86) | 32 (90) | 32 (90) | 32 (90) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 31 (88) | 30 (86) | 29 (84) | 28 (82) | 30 (86) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 22 (72) | 22 (72) | 23 (73) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 24 (75) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 23 (73) | 23 (74) |
| Averageprecipitation mm (inches) | 146.2 (5.76) | 118.9 (4.68) | 89.1 (3.51) | 75.6 (2.98) | 170.8 (6.72) | 188.7 (7.43) | 258.9 (10.19) | 193.3 (7.61) | 227.3 (8.95) | 373.7 (14.71) | 425.3 (16.74) | 483.6 (19.04) | 2,751.4 (108.32) |
| Average rainy days | 22 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 21 | 24 | 26 | 26 | 233 |
| Source: World Weather Online(Use with caution: this is modeled/calculated data, not measured locally.)[8] | |||||||||||||
There are two pronounced seasons in Candelaria: Dry and hot season from March to May, Wet season from June to December. Typhoons struck the municipality every three to five years. The most remarkable areSupertyphoon Angela (Rosing) in 1995,Typhoon Xangsane (Milenyo) in 2006, andTyphoon Rammasun (Glenda) in 2014.
Normal temperatures in Candelaria range from 20 °C (68 °F) to 32 °C (90 °F). The temperatures became cooler in January with a range of about 18 °C (64 °F), while in April, the hottest month, may rise by up to 36 °C (97 °F).
Candelaria is more elevated in the northern part since it lies at the southern slope of Banahaw and is predominantly agricultural. There are plantations of coconut and vegetables in its remote barangays. Most of the inhabitants are having poultry and livestock business and in the remaining part of the municipality are farmlands mostly of rice, corn, and other root crops.
| Year | Pop. | ±% p.a. |
|---|---|---|
| 1918 | 8,210 | — |
| 1939 | 17,686 | +3.72% |
| 1948 | 21,116 | +1.99% |
| 1960 | 29,928 | +2.95% |
| 1970 | 44,031 | +3.93% |
| 1975 | 49,384 | +2.33% |
| 1980 | 54,629 | +2.04% |
| 1990 | 69,969 | +2.51% |
| 1995 | 80,733 | +2.72% |
| 2000 | 92,429 | +2.94% |
| 2007 | 105,997 | +1.91% |
| 2010 | 110,570 | +1.55% |
| 2015 | 117,434 | +1.15% |
| 2020 | 137,881 | +3.44% |
| 2024 | 137,933 | +0.01% |
| Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[9][10][11][12][13] | ||
Candelaria has a population of 137,933 as of the 2024 census. The increase in population became rapid in the 1990s, in 1995, it has a population of 80,733 inhabitants, while in 2000, the population grew to 92,429, with an increase of about 15 percent.
In 2007, the official number of inhabitants in the municipality based on 2007 census is 105,997, or about 4,240 families or 21,243 households. Most Candelarians reside in Pahinga Norte and Malabanban Norte, the adjacent barangays of the town proper.
As of 2007, almost 93 percent of the population areRoman Catholics, 3.5 percent are Protestants, about 3 percent are members ofIglesia ni Cristo, 0.05 percent are ofIslam, 0.97 percent are of other denominations such asChurch of Christ/Christian Churches,Pentecostals,Baptists,Latter Day Saints,Seventh-day Adventist,Jehovah's Witnesses and others.
Tagalog is widely spoken by the populace. However, their accent resembles the Tagalog dialect spoken in Batangas owing to its location, and history. Most of Candelarians came from the neighboring province ofBatangas.
Poverty incidence of Candelaria
Source:Philippine Statistics Authority[14][15][16][17][18][19][20][21]
Candelaria is one of the most progressive municipalities in Quezon Province. Rapid progress have been felt since the 1990s where most of the commercial establishments have been built such as retail merchandising, supermarkets, hardware, fastfood outlets or restaurants, shopping mall, and others. The Candelaria Public Market, though it is adjacent to Barangay Poblacion, is located on Barangay Pahinga Norte.
In 2024, there is a total inventory of 812 registered establishments. Most are in retail trade, wholesale, and real estate leasing.[22]
In agriculture, coconut is the most dominant crop of the municipality covering 5,243.50 hectares or 30% of the town's land area.[22] In terms of livestock production, many locals raised poultry by 73.30% from the overall animal population.[22]
The town fiesta is celebrated on February 5 to honor the patron saint San Pedro Bautista. Since 2017, Rev. Msgr. Melecio Verastigue, started a dance to honor San Pedro Bautista. It is called INDAK PUGAY. A dance to honor the martyrdom of the patron saint, San Pedro Bautista.
Since 2005, Monsignor Carlos (Charles) Pedro A. Herrera, the parish priest, started his devotion to Nuestra Senora de Candelaria and honored her with a Candle Festival every February 2. The celebration was concluded with a procession through the streets of the town featuring the street dancing by the youth of the community in honor of the Blessed Virgin. A parade of floats representing each of the 25 barangays was, also, featured during the festivities.
A project in honor of the Blessed Mother Mary that will renovate the patio of the San Pedro Bautista Parish Church had been developed on April 22, 2012. The renovated patio will convert the current parking lot into a multi-purpose open amphitheater for use of the people of Candelaria. It will provide a venue for children and toddlers playground, jogging/walking path, a rosary garden, a via Dolorosa, and a stage for performances complete with controlled theater lighting. The playground will be lit with lighting standards. The fundraising for the project will be accomplished through a 1000 Points of Light campaign.
Municipal council (2025-2028):
Three major highways pass through the municipality and the town proper. TheSouth Luzon Expressway Toll Road 4 (TR4) stretching from Santo Tomas, Batangas to Lucena will pass through the northern part of the municipality, planned to be finished in 2028. The new expressway will occupy portions of Barangays Bukal Norte, Masalukot II, Masalukot I, Mayabobo, and Mangilag Norte.
There are also major roads within the municipality.
Provincial buses to and fromMetro Manila andLucena City such asJAC Liner Inc.,DLTBCo,JAM Liner,Dela Rosa Liner and Lucena Lines stop at the municipality's designated bus stops in Poblacion.
SUPREME, a bus plying Batangas City-Lucena City route and vice versa also passes through Candelaria (Sambat).
There are also jeepney terminals located in the town proper. For passengers going to Lucena City, the terminal is located at the intersection of Rizal Avenue corner Gonzales Street. For passengers going toSan Pablo City, the terminal is located at the intersection of Rizal Avenue corner Ona Street. For passengers going toSan Juan, Batangas, the terminal is located in Gonzales Street.
Tricycles are the most common mode of transportation in the municipality. There are many tricycle terminals in Barangay Poblacion, serving local commuters to the nearby barangays.
Candelaria has no coastline and is one of the inland municipalities ofQuezon, together withDolores,Lucban,Sampaloc,San Antonio,Tayabas, andTiaong. The seaport nearest to the municipality is Dalahican Port inLucena City for passengers going toMarinduque,Masbate, and other island provinces. Dalahican Port is about 30 kilometers (19 mi) from Candelaria. Among the international seaports inLuzon,Batangas Port inBatangas City is the nearest. It would take approximately two hours in a private vehicle to reach from Candelaria, passing through the municipalities ofSan Juan,Rosario, andIbaan, Batangas.
Candelaria has no airport, runway or any facility to accommodate air operations. The nearest airbase in the municipality is the San Fernando Airbase inLipa City with a distance of about 32 kilometers (20 mi) west of the municipality, while the nearest international airport isNinoy Aquino International Airport inMetro Manila. It is formerly served by the Lucena Airport inLucena that has been closed. For air travelers, you have to travel for more or less two hours to reach Metro Manila and a couple of minutes more for Ninoy Aquino International Airport in case of traffic obstructions.
Candelaria is served byGeneral Telephone System, Inc. (GTSi) andDigitel Telecommunications (PLDT-Digitel) as the main telecommunication services providers. GTSi has started its operations in the municipality in 1981, making it the third municipality where it started its operation, the first two areGumaca in 1977 andAtimonan in 1979.
Internet shops are commonly found in the town proper.
Candelaria has three hospitals: one public and two private.
TheCandelaria Municipal Hospital is built during the administration of then Mayor Pedro Cedeno in 1984.Peter Paul Medical Center is one of the pioneering hospitals of the municipality, established in 1948.United Candelaria Doctors Hospital is the newly built medical facility of Candelaria, opened in February 2009.
Each barangay has its own health center for free health services. More lying-in clinics are located throughout the municipality.
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.[23] These are the Candelaria East Schools District Office, and Candelaria West Schools District Office.
Places adjacent to Candelaria, Quezon | |
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 Province ofQuezon | |
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Lucena (capital and largest city) | |
| Municipalities |
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| Component city | |
| Highly urbanized city |
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| International | |
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| National | |
