city, south-central Luzon, Philippines. Situated near the head of Tayabas Bay of the Sibuyan Sea, its importance as a settlement predated the arrival of the Spaniards. It is a major fishing port and a regional wholesale distributing point and has food-processing plants (particularly for coconut). Lucena is served by major road and rail facilities. The Banahaw and San Cristobal Mountains National Park is located there. Inc. city, 1961. Pop. (2000) 196,075.