Carcar: Almost Vigan for Less

What's one thing to do if you want to unwind and you have two friends who are all too willing to spend the day with you? 

Go on a three-hour drive from the city and explore the province.

For a self-confessed history junkie, my ultimate dream is to stroll in the streets of Calle Crisologo in Vigan and visit the Malacanang of the North in Paoay. Ilocos has always been in my vacation bucket list, but sadly, I never got the chance to go there yet. But as they say, if you look closely, an alternative may just be around the bend (or a few hours from where you live). If you can’t go to Vigan yet, take a 3-hour drive from Cebu City to the historical town of Carcar.

It was a Saturday and the streets of southern Cebu are usually abuzz of vehicles heading to different places. My friends and I promised to visit the Miraculous Virgin Mary of Lindogon, Simala in the town of Sibonga, our first time to go together.

Tip:The religious flock the monastery every day so going there wouldn’t be much of a hassle. If you want to have a comfortable ride, hail a van-for-hire at the gasoline station across Cebu South Bus Terminal. 
For P100, you can comfortably sit in the van in the two-hour (or more) trip. Just pray that you won’t be sitting next to children (or adults) who have motion sickness and deal with the stink of puke swirling inside the van like what happened to us.
And that brings us to a second tip, if you are hitting the road for a long trip, drink anti-motion sickness tablets ahead of time. It spares you the headache and the discomfort and also saves other passengers whatever gross feeling that your puke might induce them.

My usual routine when visiting the Monastery of the Holy Eucharist is to line up for the "halok", where you get to touch the image of the Blessed Virgin. I also light candles before leaving. Basically, we did the same thing that day as there were no scheduled masses.

This place never fails to offer something new each time I am here. Looks like more devotees would love to come here because of these cottages.

We decided to have lunch in Carcar and what’s the best, guiltless diet meal when you visit the town? 

LECHON, of course!

Yes, I know you are drooling now. I can't blame you.

Where to eat:

Inside Carcar’s public market, right at the very center, is an array of lechon sellers who are selling the city’s best food for P280 per kilo, a far cry from Lapu-Lapu City’s sellers who charge P400 to P450 per kilo.

The vendors will be swarming at visitors and they will offer the crisp skin for a free taste. You’ll be overwhelmed but our technique is to look at which lechon is much smaller than the rest because the taste is surely concentrated.

We asked if the vendors could provide us a place to sit and we were told that we can go to the carenderia at the back of their stall so long as we buy rice from them. Well, that’s not a bad deal. The caveat was, there was P5 corkage fee.

3/4 kilo lechon for us three but we ended up eating only about half of that. What to do with the rest? Well, bring it home!

Carcar food tip: 
Aside from the lechon, Carcar is also known for Cebuano delicacies like chicharon, bocarilio, caycay, ampao and more. Don't forget to bring pasalubong to family and friends if you drop by. 

Poblacion, La Pueblo de Carcar

The Poblacion, during the Spanish colonization of the Philippines, referred to the town’s center where the seat of government, the church and other important complexes are found. Carcar has one of the best preserved poblacions in Cebu.

In what is now considered as the “Upland”, Carcar’s city hall, church and schools are found. What is unique in these edifices is the clear manifestation of Spanish architecture.

Saint Catherine of Alexandria Church

Saint Catherine's College

And in between the city hall and the school is Carcar Museum.

Lovely, isn't it?

Don Mariano Mercado, Carcar's first mayor.

This used to be an infirmary and was built by Don Mariano Mercado, Carcar’s first mayor. The well-preserved structure is something any vintage lover would love to have as a home.

There is no entrance fee collected for visitors. You just have to log in and you can now explore the place. There are some artifacts donated by the residents.

The tiles and intricate details are testaments of the historic Spanish and American era Philippines.

On the first floor, some cabinets, field plows, boat paddles and other artifacts are found. Oh, and would you believe this circular thing is a radio?

Cheers to teaching your friends to do the blogger pose.

Melanie seems to be enjoying this part of the museum.

In the second floor, there is a room dedicated for Carcar’s artists. There are paintings and busts that are made proudly by Carcaranons.

Here is one room I practically fell in love with. If I had a choice and the resources, I’d get a bed like this complete with posts and curtains.

This bed just made me so envious.

A long table lies in one corner. Judging from the articles posted, it may be one of the tables used by the revolutionaries. An article of the death of Leon Kilat caught my attention.

Melanie: Kaigo kaayu ni nga lamesa namo sa akong usa ka-dosena nga anak.

 There were also revolutionary letters framed and displayed on one side leading to the veranda.

Speaking of veranda, tell me how not to fall in love with this.

I was so inlove I needed more than three photos. Hahahaha

The intricate look of the museum made me forget that it was a former hospital.
If you wander at the back, there are more wonders to see just like this swimming pool which I bet is about 10 feet deep.

The caretaker said that it was built before the infirmary. There are also three cottages on the side. Although I am not that certain, I believe it was a place for recreation before.

Travel trio.

When asked if there were sightings of “other” residents as with most old structures, the caretaker said that some people say they have experienced some. The only experience she personally had was during her first day and the grotto at the end of the pool smelled like funeral flowers. Oh well that’s a creepy welcome for one’s first day at work.

Anyway, here are even more photos and shenanigans from the crew:

BTS: What are friends for if they won't take pictures of you, right?

Old Homes for the Old Soul

Have I mentioned that I am a lover of many things old and historical?

One of Carcar's gems is the street where old houses stand mightily through the tests of time. From the highway, the most prominent site is the Mercado Mansion, owned by Don Mariano Mercado. 

If you walk through the street, you will notice that these big heritage homes stand mightily. Some were given modern twists but nothing beats the charm of the untouched Balay na Tisa. 

Unfortunately for us, the house wasn't open. I believe that you will be allowed to get inside if you have prior arrangements just like when I first went there for our History field trip in college. 

Still, it's beauty is undeniable even from the outside.

This house is giving me the Vigan feels.