Candelaria, Philippines
Region: Cagayan Valley
Geographic Coordinates: 13.931100, 121.423000
Temperature Range: 23.0°C to 33.0°C (73°F to 91°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with high temperatures and rainfall throughout the year, influenced by monsoon winds.
Population: 137881
Language: Tagalog
Candelaria is a beautiful municipality located in Quezon Province, Philippines. It sits on the eastern coast of Luzon Island, About 120 kilometers southeast of Manila. The town covers an area of around 60 square kilometers and has a population of over 50, 000 people. The name Candelaria comes from the Spanish word candle, Which means candlelight. The town is renowned for its rich history, Culture, And traditions that date back to the Spanish colonial era. One notable landmark in Candelaria is St. Peter’s Church that Augustinian Friars constructed during the early 18th century.
Apart from its historical sites, Candelaria boasts several natural attractions worth exploring. Mount Banahaw is one such attraction – an active volcano standing at an elevation of 2, 158 meters above sea level and considered sacred by many Filipinos due to its spiritual significance in Philippine mythology. Another popular destination in Candelaria is Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort – a sprawling estate offering visitors a glimpse into rural life in the Philippines through cultural shows featuring traditional music and dance performances as well as exhibits showcasing local crafts and artifacts.
Candelaria also has several beautiful beaches where visitors can enjoy swimming or simply lounging under the sun while taking in stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Some notable beaches include Kwebang Lampas Beach and Borawan Island Beach. Regarding cuisine, Candelaria offers diverse dishes reflecting its rich cultural heritage such as pancit habhab (a type of noodle dish), Longganisa (a type of sausage), Sinigang (a sour soup made with meat or seafood), Adobo (a stew made with vinegar and soy sauce), Among others.
Overall, Visiting Candelaria provides tourists with an authentic Filipino experience combining history, Culture, Natural beauty along with friendly locals’ hospitality delicious cuisine making it a must-visit destination for anyone traveling to the Philippines!
- Our Lady of Candelaria Parish Church – a beautiful church built in 1714 that is considered one of the oldest churches in the Philippines.
- Malaking Krus sa Monte – a huge cross located on top of a hill that offers a panoramic view of the town.
- Candelaria Waterfalls – a series of cascading waterfalls surrounded by lush greenery perfect for nature lovers.
- Mt. Banahaw – an active volcano and pilgrimage site for many Filipinos due to its spiritual significance.
- Villa Del Prado Pool Resort – a popular resort with swimming pools and other amenities perfect for family outings and weekend getaways.
- Agriculture (rice, corn, sugarcane)
- Fishing
- Livestock farming
- Small-scale manufacturing (furniture making)
- Tourism industry (beaches and natural attractions such as the Mt. Banahaw-San Cristobal Protected Landscape)
- Franciscan missionaries established Candelaria in 1749.
- During World War II, the Japanese occupied Candelaria.
- In 1946, Candelaria became part of Quezon province when it was separated from Tayabas (now called Quezon).
- Some well-known individuals from Candelaria include former Senator Francisco Tatad and Philippine National Police Director General Hermogenes Ebdane Jr.
- Araw ng Candelaria is an annual festival celebrated in the town to honor its founding anniversary with various cultural activities like street dancing and beauty pageants.
- St Michael Archangel Parish Church is one of the significant landmarks in Candelaria that dates back to the Spanish colonial period; it’s been declared a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines.
- Candelaria Church: A historical church built during the Spanish colonial period.
- Our Lady of Candelaria Parish Museum: A museum located inside the church that showcases religious artifacts and artworks.
- Candelaria Municipal Hall: A heritage building that serves as the seat of government in the town.
- Casa de Segunda: An ancestral house turned museum that features antique furniture, paintings, and other memorabilia from the 19th century.
- San Juan Nepomuceno Statue: A monument dedicated to Saint John Nepomucene, the patron saint of bridges and waterways.
- Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort: A popular tourist destination that offers cultural shows, farm tours, and a unique dining experience by a waterfall.
- Tayabas Basilica Minore del Nuestra Señora de la Concepcion Immaculada: One of the oldest churches in Quezon Province with intricate designs on its walls.
- Malagonlong Bridge: The longest bridge made up of adobe blocks in Tayabas City.
- Lucban Church – Known for its colorful facade which is decorated with floral patterns made up of broken tiles.
- Kamay ni Hesus Shrine – The shrine is known for its 50-foot statue of Jesus Christ which can be seen from afar.
- The Feast of Our Lady of Candelaria is a significant event in Candelaria, celebrated annually on February 2nd. It’s a religious festival that pays tribute to the town’s patron saint, Our Lady of Candelaria.
- The Pahiyas Festival is a lively harvest celebration held every May 15th in honor of San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers. The streets are decorated with vibrant displays made from fruits, vegetables, and rice grains.
- Santa Cruzan is a religious procession that takes place during May to commemorate Queen Helena’s discovery of the Holy Cross. Young women dressed in elegant gowns carry flowers while parading through town.
- The Sinukwan Festival is an annual cultural event that celebrates indigenous culture and traditions on August 28th.
- December brings various Christmas festivities such as caroling contests, Simbang Gabi (night masses), and Christmas bazaars where locals sell handicrafts and delicacies for gift-giving purposes.
- The Feast Day Of St Vincent Ferrer takes place on April 5th to honor St Vincent Ferrer who was known for his preaching skills throughout Spain during medieval times.
- Adobo – a classic Filipino dish made with meat (usually pork or chicken), soy sauce, vinegar, garlic, and bay leaves. You can try this at Tita Neng’s Kitchen.
- Lechon – roasted whole pig that is crispy on the outside and juicy on the inside. This dish is a must-try when you visit Candelaria. You can find it at Mang Raul’s Lechon.
- Sinigang – a sour soup made with tamarind or other sour fruits, vegetables, and meat (usually pork or fish). Try this at Casa del Sol.
- Pancit – stir-fried noodles with vegetables and meat (usually chicken or shrimp). You can find it at Jolly Bee Panciteria.
- Halo-halo – a popular dessert made of shaved ice, evaporated milk, sweet beans, fruit slices, jelly cubes topped with ice cream and ube halaya syrup served in a tall glass. Try this refreshing dessert at Iceberg’s Halo-Halo.
- Seafood dishes – Since Candelaria is located near the coast of Quezon Province seafood dishes such as grilled squid, Crispy Tilapia Fish Fillet, shrimp sinigang are also popular here. You can try these dishes at Balsa sa Niugan Restaurant.
- Candelaria Nature Park is a 25-hectare park that offers various activities such as zip line, wall climbing, horseback riding, and camping.
- Candelaria Mangrove Eco-Park is a 20-hectare mangrove forest with boardwalks for birdwatching and fishing.
- San Juan Beach Resort is a public beach with cottages for rent and water sports activities such as kayaking and banana boat rides.
- Barangay Sports Complex is a multi-purpose sports complex that hosts basketball tournaments, volleyball games, and other community events.
- Luntiang Paraiso Eco Farm is an organic farm that offers tours of their vegetable gardens and fruit orchards.
- Bantakay Falls is a natural waterfall located in the nearby town of Dolores that is popular for swimming and picnicking.
- Mount Banahaw-San Cristobal National Park is a protected area that offers hiking trails to the summit of Mount Banahaw, one of the most sacred mountains in the Philippines.
