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We visited a balikbayan friend from Australia in Lucena City. We catch up over a sumptuous lunch. Then off we go to Lucena City town proper to visit St Ferdinand Cathedral Parish or popularly known as Lucena Cathedral.
Located amidst the bustling heart of Lucena, St. Ferdinand Cathedral Parish, is surrounded by various establishments, stores and restaurants. Just beyond the church gate lies the renowned Jollibee food chain.
For more than a century, the Cathedral of St. Ferdinand has stood proudly as the most iconic landmark in Lucena City.
When in Lucena City and bread spark joy in your life, be sure not to miss the Gemini Bakery. While they have numerous branches throughout Lucena, the one we visited is conveniently located just a few steps away from the church (Quezon Ave). Gemini Bakery is known for its delectable old-school egg pie and Spanish bread.
We bought few slices of egg pie, spanish bread, pan de regla or kalihim bread and hopia mongo. The egg pie was so good we regretted not buying one whole box of pie. Kalihim bread and hopia is also very yummy – the taste brings me back to my childhood memories. This is the kind of hopia that was sold in our canteen during my grade school days.
The spanish bread was delicious as well, but it’s too sweet for my taste. I find the breads in Gemini Bakery cheaper than in Bakery in Laguna or Batangas, but the serving is obviously smaller.
I was observing the tinderas (sales ladies) in Gemini Bakery, because I read online – mostly on Facebook comments – that they are mostly masungit (unfriendly). But my experience with them on Gemini Bakery Quezon Ave branch is different – the lady who assisted me is nice and friendly. I asked her about the prices of the different breads they sell, and she responded patiently.
One unforgettable moment from our brief visit in Lucena City was when we found ourselves lost at the diversion road. Blame it on the absence of road signs. LOL. It was 13 kilometers too late after we found out that we were circling back to where we came from. Even so, we enjoyed the unnecessary road trip.
