Carcar City

Good Friday Rites in Carcar City, Cebu
photo by estan – Flickr

QUICK NAVIGATION

1. Introduction
2. History
3. Economy
4. Location
5. How to Get There
6. Tourism
7. Things to Do and See
8. Political Subdivisions
9. Population
10. Links

Introduction

Carcar is a 3rd class city in the province of Cebu, Philippines. Carcar is bounded on the north by the municipality of San Fernando, on the west by the municipalities of Barili and Aloguinsan, on the south by the municipality of Sibonga and on the east by Cebu Strait.

History

Carcar is a junction town whose prosperity is still evidenced by large antique residences, quaint houses decorated with intricate lacy woodwork, and an imposing town plaza. It was a thriving settlement located on a small peninsula called Sialo. Sialo was the southernmost boundary of the big parish of San Nicolas, Cebu City. The Spaniards made the settlement into a town on June 21, 1599 and renamed it as Villadolid, after a famous city in Spain.

Because it was along the coastline, it was vulnerable to Moslem piratical attacks. Year in and year out, it was pillaged by the Moros, taking away inhabitants and killing more. Finally, the survivors left their hometown for a safer place and agreed on a site: a crossroad leading to Sibonga to the south; Barili to the west; and San Fernando to the north. It was aptly called Mowag. Here fellow travelers coming form the fiesta Señor of Cebu City would split apart for their respective towns. But because of the presence of abundant tree-climbing plants called kabkad, they renamed the place Kabhad. The present name Carcar was given by its parish priest after his hometown in Spain.

Economy

Carcar’s main industries are shoe making, farming and tourism

Location

Carcar is located approximately 40 km south of Cebu City. It is bounded on the north by San Fernando; on the south by Sibonga; on the west by Barili and Aloguinsan; and on the east by the Bohol Strait. It has a land area of approximately 116.22 km².

How to Get There

Carcar City can be reached by public buses or V-Hires (vans) from the Cebu South Terminal in Cebu City with an estimated travel time of about 1 hour.

Tourism

Carcar is the gateway to the south and southwestern part of Cebu. Carcar town is noted for its old Spanish style houses in the quiet coutnryside setting. During the fiestas, the residents would invite friends, relatives and town visitors into their homes to taste popular local delicacies. A lively and enjoyable event.

Things to Do and See

• Balay’ng Tisa
• St. Catherine of Alexandria Church
• Valladolid Watchtowers
• Leon Kilat Monuments
• Caves in Barangay Mainit
• Carcar’s Delicacies

Political Subdivisions

Carcar is composed of 15 barangays, namely: Bolinawan, Buenavista, Calidngan, Can-asujan, Guadalupe, Liburon, Napo, Ocana, Perrelos, Valencia, Valladolid, Poblacion I, Poblacion II, Poblacion III and Tuyom.

Population

According to the 2000 census, Carcar has a population of 89,199 people in 17,312 households.

Links

• Official Website of the local government unit of Carcar City

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