Carcar (now a city) lies south of Cebu City for about 1 hour drive. Carcar is considered one of the oldest towns in Cebu, with its Spanish influence lasted more than 300 years. Carcar is a 5th class city in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2015 census, it has a population of 119,664 people. Carcar City is bordered to the north by the town of San Fernando, to the west are the towns of Aloguinsan and Barili, to the east is the Cebu Strait, and to the south is the town of Sibonga.

The Origin of the name of “Carcar”

Carcar’s interesting history dates back to the pre-Spanish colonial period. the town originated from a seaside settlement called Sialo. The settlement was at the mouth of the Minag-a River and the natives early contact with the Chinese traders who frequent the place to barter goods in exchange for farm products.

When the Spaniards came in the middle of the 16th century, Sialo became the town of Valladolid, named after a town in Spain. The town’s progress made it a target of raids of moro marauders, driving villagers to the uplands. Soon, a new settlement was established in a site, which came to be known as Kabkad, from the word Kabkaban, a species of hardy fern that was aboundant in the place. Later on, a Spanish priest changed the name to Carcar, after a small town in the province of Navarro in Northern Spain.

Little Marikina in the South

Later part of 2000, Carcar were dubbed as “Little Marikina in the South” because of the booming shoe-making industry in barangays Poblacion 3, Liburon, Valladolid and Perrelos.

The Famous Lechon in Carcar

One thing you don’t want to miss when you’re in Carcar or if just passing by to nearby town is their lechon (roasted pig). Just park by the side and wait for your lechon to be pack in minutes.

More delicacies

Carcar is known for native delicacies such as sweetened rice crispies called ampao, the sweet bocarillo made of young coconut meat and the famous Carcar-made chicharon.

Center of Heritage structures

The Carcar town center alone hosts several heritage structures. Within the town proper, various structures stand, the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria.  Walking towards Sta. Catalina street one will surely be astonished with the quaint houses and their distinctive architectural details.