There was a flourishing coastal settlement somewhere in the southern part of the municipality of Gumaca called Talolong. The settlement's name was derived from the name of the river that traverses the place. The original location of the settlement was in the marshy mouth of a sedate river, (myth) which was founded by the descendants of Datu Dumangsil and Datu Balinsusa of the Kalilayan kingdom. Due to the frequent plundering and terrorism of the pirates, the colony was transferred to the present town's location. The settlement of Lakan Bugtali who founded the community of Gumaca was gone. Even a trace of its remains cannot be identified neither the vintages of the encomienda of Kalilayan nor a fraction of its 16th century glories. When it became a sitio through a papal bull, the village started to manage by her own.
Spanish Era In 1756, some people from the town of Mayoboc (present-day
Pitogo) sought refuge in the
sitio as they fled the Moro raid that burned the town to the ground. After sometime, some of them become discontented with the affairs of governing the
sitio, went back to the original site of Mayoboc and again formed a settlement on an uphill portion, more suitable to guard against the Moro pirates. It later came to be known as Pitogo. After 45 years of numerous petitions, Governor General
Fernando Norzagaray in Manila approved to separate Talolong from Gumaca on June 30, 1857, during the Governorship of Alcalde Mayor Don Candido Lopez y Diaz. The town was named after him, Lopez. Don Antonio Olivarez was the first gobernadorcillo.
American era On April 9, 1900, the townsfolks fled to the forest when the Americans arrived in Lopez. On December 14, 1900, other prominent townsfolks were captured by the Americans and kept in the convent. On December 17, 1900, they were brought to
Atimonan. Those who were kept in captivity were freed on December 24, 1900. During this era, reformation of the local government and public works were done such as waterworks and irrigation, railways, and road pavements. Public market and municipal hall were built. Real property tax and
cedula have been introduced too.
Japanese occupation era On December 24, 1941, the Japanese arrived in Lopez. The guerrillas called Vera's Party led by Gen.
Gaudencio V. Vera kept the Japanese at bay. They hunted Japanese soldiers and collaborators. On March 12, 1945, the town was liberated by the combined forces of Vera's Party and American forces. The town was reduced to nothing, but one house - which is the house of Ramon Mopera.
Post-war and independence era After the war, Gen. Vera appointed Juan Tabien to lead the municipal government. The townspeople immediately began to rebuild their homes in the hope of restoring their lives during pre-war days.
Marcos' Dictatorship The 80s was marked by political crises. The
1984 parliamentary election was noted for its violence, being described as the bloodiest in the community's history, resulting in numerous civilian and military casualties. The rise of the
New People's Army (NPA) during this period reflects the growing discontent and resistance among the populace during the
Marcos dictatorship. Mayor Nerio O. Ramos was assassinated and the wounding of Vice-Mayor Edgardo Gutierrez on July 22, 1985, by the NPA highlighted the escalating political violence. The events leading to the
1986 People Power Revolution were characterized by widespread public unrest and calls for democratic reforms. The revolution ultimately led to the ousting of President
Marcos and the establishment of a revolutionary government.
Post-People Power Era Following the People Power Revolution,
Corazon C. Aquino appointed Edgardo Ornedo as Officer-in-Charge of Lopez, marking a shift in local governance. The inauguration of the Lopez-Catanauan Road by President Aquino symbolized the new government's commitment to local development. In 1988, Dr. Joel E. Arago won the mayoral election, marking a significant political shift with a margin of over 10,000 votes. His administration prioritized infrastructure projects, including school buildings and community services, reflecting a focus on education and local welfare. He was re-elected in 1992 which made him the first mayor in Lopez to serve three consecutive terms, indicating strong public support. Isaias B. Ubana II succeeded Dr. Arago and became the youngest municipal mayor at age 31 in 1998, implementing significant changes during his tenure. His administration focused on infrastructure, including the construction of new school buildings and health centers, enhancing local education and healthcare services. He was re-elected multiple times, becoming the longest-serving mayor in Lopez, with a total of 15 years in office. His tenure saw the establishment of state universities, positioning Lopez as an educational center in Quezon Province. On September 27, 2002, the NPA have attacked the police station which resulted to the deaths of 3 police officers and one police officer wounded. This attack underscored the prevalence of the rebel group in the municipality. In 2016, Rachel A. Ubana became the first woman mayor of Lopez, continuing the legacy of her husband, Isaias B. Ubana II. Her administration aims to support community development and welfare through various projects and initiatives. The local government has focused on enhancing educational opportunities and infrastructure, building on previous administrations' efforts. The municipality's economy has shown growth, with significant annual revenue reported for 2023, indicating a positive trend in local governance. In 2023, more than 1000 NPA members have surrendered to the authorities since Lopez was declared insurgent-free. On June 30, 2025, Isaias B. Ubana II was re-elected as mayor after serving as a provincial board member during his wife's tenure. ==Geography==