Nova Veluz and her Lucena
MANILA, Philippines - The province of Quezon was named after Manuel L. Quezon, the first President of the Philippine Commonwealth, and there are many places in Lucena that will interest the history lover. Here, we can find remnants of the old house where he delivered a speech when he visited the town, and a monument in his honor at Perez Park.
What makes Lucena most endearing? I would say it’s the people – they welcome you with smiles, open the way for friendship with their laughter, and make you feel at home with their hospitality.
Lucena is a haven for tourists with many breathtaking natural attractions to discover. Those who love the sea may take a boat ride to the beautiful island of Talao-Talao, where the late Fernando Poe Jr. and Susan Roces shot their epic Perlas ng Silangan movie.
When foodies visit Lucena, Buddy’s Restaurant is one of their favorite stops. Best known for its homegrown specialties, it has received citations as the Top Pancit Restaurant from prestigious organizations, including the Lucban Municipal Recognition Award and the Philippine Marketing Excellence Award, both in 2005.
Nova Veluz, who established Buddy’s together with her husband Salvador, has brought a modern dynamism to traditional southern Tagalog cuisine with her chain of restaurants located in her home province of Quezon and in Metro Manila, including one at SM City Lucena.
Named an Outstanding Entrepreneur by the Land Bank in 2007, Nova is active in civic and cultural activities in her hometown. Best known for its Pasayahan Festival and for the colorful Pahiyas Festival in the neighboring town of Lucban, Lucena is a place of happy, fun-loving people. And it is with her Quezonian warmth and joie de vivre that Nova takes us around her Lucena, her SM.
Lucena is a city of food lovers and enthusiasts. I am happy that we have made more people know about southern Tagalog cuisine through our restaurant. Pancit Lucban has become popular in areas where we have a restaurant, while the culture of eating Pancit Habhab is a must for tourists to experience.
We have some of the happiest of festivals in Quezon. Lucena has its Pasayahan Festival, which has a lot of pageantry and street dancing, and Lucban has the famous Pahiyas Festival, which is best known for kiping, a brightly colored leaf-shaped wafer used to decorate homes and is an art form by itself.
