The Heritage of Cebu

Above: The beautiful town square in Argao where one can access the internet for free.

Went to Argao with a friend last June 29 to explore the new sights in the town like the recently rediscovered “mortuario” and the free wifi at the town square. We left Cebu City at around 8 o’clock in the morning and we thought that our day was doomed to be ruined because it was drizzling that moment and it seemed like it was going to be like that the entire day. Anyway, for a fare of P60 on a non-airconditioned bus, we reached the beautiful town of Argao in less than two hours. It was still raining a little bit when we arrived but luckily it stopped.

Since it was a Sunday we just decided to hear mass at the centuries-old church, one of the many attractions in Argao that was once embroiled in controversy after a priest stupidly painted the antique statues in the finely carved main altar retablo with gold. After hearing mass, we headed on to Alex Cafe which was just beside the church compound. I say the food was not too good, service was excruciatingly slow, and the prices were a bit steep though we have no choice because we were already very hungry.

Among the cultural heritage attractions of Argao are the casa real or the former municipal hall which is now a museum, the hall of justice, the church and convent, the mortuario, and the several gates or puertas that open into the town center. The town center during the Spanish colonial times was once fortified with stone walls. Parts of the wall still exist today.

Below: The centuries old church of Argao.

Below: The recently rediscovered mortuario which for years laid hidden behind the OPD Building of a nearby hospital. The OPD building was demolished thus exposing the structure.

Below: The interiors of the church.