Carcar, Philippines
Region: Cebu
Geographic Coordinates: 10.116700, 123.633000
Temperature Range: 25.0°C to 35.0°C (77°F to 95°F)
Climate: Tropical climate with wet and dry seasons.
Population: 136453
Language: Cebuano
Carcar is a charming and picturesque city situated in the southern part of Cebu province, Philippines. It is renowned for its rich history, Stunning architecture, And vibrant culture. The city has a population of approximately 120, 000 people and covers an area of around 116 square kilometers. One of Carcar’s most remarkable features is its well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture. The downtown area boasts numerous heritage buildings that date back to the 1800s. St. Catherine’s Church is one such building constructed in 1875 with intricate carvings and stunning stained-glass windows.
Another attraction worth visiting in Carcar is the ancestral houses located along Poblacion Street built during the Spanish colonial era that have been beautifully restored to their former glory. Visitors can take a stroll through these homes to get a glimpse into what life was like during this time period. Apart from historical landmarks, Carcar offers delicious local delicacies such as chicharon (pork cracklings), Ampao (sticky rice cake), Bucarillo (coconut candy), And lechon (roast pig). The city hosts an annual food festival called Kabkaban Festival where locals showcase their culinary skills by preparing these mouth-watering dishes.
Carcar also has several natural attractions worth exploring such as Osmena Peak – Cebu’s highest peak – which offers breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. Another popular destination among tourists is Molave Milk Station where visitors can sample fresh milk straight from cows grazing on nearby pastures. The people of Carcar are known for their warm hospitality and friendly demeanor towards visitors. They take great pride in their cultural heritage which they celebrate through various festivals throughout the year including Sinulog Festival – one of Cebu’s most famous festivals that honors Santo Niño de Cebu.
Overall, Carcar provides travelers with a unique blend of history, Culture, And natural beauty making it an ideal destination for those who want to immerse themselves in the rich heritage of the Philippines while enjoying its stunning scenery and delicious cuisine.
- St. Catherine of Alexandria Church – a historic church built in the 18th century.
- Carcar Public Market – a popular destination for local delicacies and souvenirs.
- Carcar City Plaza – a public park with a fountain and playgrounds.
- Mantayupan Falls – located in nearby Barili, this waterfall is a popular day trip destination from Carcar.
- Balay na Tisa – an ancestral house made of coral stones and clay roof tiles.
- The Old Municipal Hall – an old government building that now serves as a museum showcasing the town’s history.
- Mercado Mansion – another ancestral house turned museum showcasing antique furniture, paintings, and other memorabilia.
These landmarks and attractions showcase the rich culture, history, and natural beauty of Carcar City in Cebu Province, Philippines.
- Agriculture
- Corn
- Rice
- Vegetables
- Manufacturing
- Footwear
- Furniture
- Handicrafts
- Tourism
- Well-preserved Spanish colonial architecture
- Retail
- Local goods such as dried fish and meat products
- Service industry
- Banks
- Restaurants
- Hotels
- Fishing industry
- Supplies seafood to local markets
- Transportation
- Several bus companies operate in the area providing transportation services to neighboring towns and cities
- Education
- Several schools offering education from primary to tertiary level
- Public schools like Gakub Elementary School & Carcar City Division Office- DepEd Cebu Province
- Private institutions like Saint Catherine’s College-CarCar & St.Catherine Academy- Poblacion III
- The Battle of Carcar: This battle took place during the Philippine Revolution against Spain on September 24, 1898. It was fought between Filipino revolutionaries and Spanish colonial forces.
- Leon Kilat: He was a revolutionary leader who fought against Spanish colonial rule in Cebu during the Philippine Revolution.
- Carcar Church: The St. Catherine of Alexandria Church is a historical landmark in Carcar that dates back to the 18th century.
- Senator Mariano Jesus Cuenco: He was a prominent politician from Cebu who served as a senator in the Philippines from 1949 to 1955.
- Vicente Sotto: He was a famous writer, poet, and politician from Cebu who authored several literary works in both English and Cebuano languages.
- Siloy Festival: This is an annual festival held in Carcar that celebrates its rich cultural heritage through music, dance, food, and traditional crafts such as pottery-making.
- Francisco Llamas Durano Sr.: He was a renowned historian and author who wrote extensively about Philippine history and culture including his hometown of Carcar.
- Emilio Osmeña: He was one of the founding fathers of modern-day Philippines who served as its first Vice-President under President Manuel Quezon’s administration from 1935 to 1944.
- Carlos P Garcia: He is one of the celebrated presidents whose roots can be traced back to Bohol but he spent some time living in Carcar where he pursued his studies at Colegio de San Carlos.
These events/people have played significant roles in shaping the history and culture of Carcar over time.
- Carcar Museum and Cultural Heritage Center showcases the rich history and culture of Carcar, featuring artifacts, photographs, and documents from the Spanish colonial period to the present day.
- St. Catherine of Alexandria Church is one of the oldest and most beautiful historic churches in Cebu Province. It features a unique blend of Baroque and Romanesque architecture.
- The Balay na Tisa is a well-preserved ancestral house that dates back to the 1800s, made entirely out of red clay bricks (tisa), serving as a museum showcasing traditional Filipino lifestyle during that era.
- Carcar Public Market is a bustling market where visitors can find local delicacies such as chicharon (pork cracklings), ampao (rice cakes), lechon baboy (roasted pig), and other souvenirs.
- Sialo Mangrove Eco Park offers visitors an opportunity to explore mangrove forests by boat or kayak while learning about its importance in preserving marine life, located just outside Carcar town proper.
- Bolinawan Marine Sanctuary is home to various species of fish, coral reefs, sea turtles, and other marine life ideal for snorkeling or diving activities; it’s also a protected area.
- Carcar City Plaza features a statue dedicated to Leon Kilat who was a hero during revolution against Spanish rule; this park located at the heart of the city.
- Tinubdan Spring is a natural spring located at Barangay Campo 4 which has crystal clear waters perfect for swimming or relaxing after exploring some tourist spots around Carcar.
- Arcos de Colonia served as an entrance point for people entering Carcar from neighboring towns; it’s an old gateway built during Spanish colonization times.
- Grotto de la Virgen de Simala features a massive church with beautiful gardens nearby along with an impressive replica sculpture of Vatican’s Pieta; it’s a popular pilgrimage site visited by thousands of devotees every year, although not technically located in Carcar.
- Carcar City Fiesta is held every November 24th to honor the city’s patron saint, St. Catherine of Alexandria.
- Kawayan Festival is celebrated every February and showcases the town’s bamboo industry with a street dance competition.
- Halad Inasal Festival is held every May and pays tribute to the town’s famous grilled chicken dish called inasal.
- Agro-Industrial Fair takes place annually in April and highlights Carcar’s agricultural and industrial products.
- Sinulog sa Carcar is a local version of Cebu City’s famous Sinulog Festival, celebrated on the third Sunday of January with street dancing and colorful parades.
- Kabkaban Festival is celebrated every September 8th to commemorate the founding anniversary of Carcar as a municipality.
- Christmas Lantern Parade takes place during the holiday season where students from different schools compete for their creative lanterns made from recycled materials like plastic bottles or cups, etc.
- Carcar is renowned for its scrumptious lechon, or roasted pig. Some of the most popular places to find this delicacy include Rico’s Lechon and Ayer’s Lechon.
- Another well-known food in Carcar is chicharon, which consists of deep-fried pork rinds. You can discover them at street vendors or specialty shops like Titay’s.
- Ampao, a rice cake made with caramelized sugar, peanuts, and sesame seeds, is a favorite snack in Carcar.
- Siomai sa Tisa is a steamed dumpling filled with pork and shrimp that you must try when visiting the city.
- Mama Linda’s Pizza provides unique toppings such as chorizo and danggit (dried fish) as well as classic flavors like pepperoni.
- Kusina ni Nasing offers traditional Filipino dishes such as adobo and sinigang along with seafood specialties like grilled squid.
- The Chocolate Chamber caters to dessert aficionados by presenting luscious chocolate creations using locally-sourced cacao beans from nearby farms in Cebu province.
- Carcar City Plaza is a public park situated in the center of Carcar City, featuring a playground, basketball court, and jogging path.
- Carcar Eco Park is an eco-tourism destination that offers outdoor activities such as trekking, camping, and fishing.
- Mantayupan Falls is a well-known waterfall located in the nearby town of Barili which is perfect for swimming and picnicking.
- Sibonga Plaza is another public park located in the neighboring town of Sibonga which boasts a playground, basketball court, and an open field for various activities.
- Osmeña Peak stands as the highest peak on Cebu Island offering hiking trails with scenic views of surrounding mountains and islands.
- Tingko Beach offers visitors white sand beaches located in Alcoy ideal for swimming or sunbathing.
- Bolinawan Cave showcases an underground cave system situated in Argao providing spelunking experiences to visitors.
- San Fernando Rey Parish Church stands as one of the oldest churches within Cebu Province with Spanish colonial architecture worth visiting for its historical significance and religious importance to locals.
