Argao: My beautiful hometown
The municipality of Argao rests in the southern portion of the province of Cebu. Since its founding as a town in 1608, Argao has grown from a sleepy fishing and farming town to a tourist destination today with many promises. As modernization and fast-paced developments happen to more and more municipalities in the province of Cebu, in particular, and throughout the rest of the country, in general, Argao strives to catch up with the strings of changes happening around the Philippine islands, proving to the rest of the country what it is worth, but also very mindful of its rich socio-cultural and environmental heritage, making certain that whatever change happens the identity of Argao for which it is known is still preserved, thus ensuring that the future generations can still view Argao in all its historic splendor. Argao has always been described as one of the most interesting places in the province and in the past it was known for its public stone buildings roofed with tiles and for its ovens used for the baking of bricks and tiles, which served as one of the basic means of livelihood for the inhabitants. Many of these Argao-made bricks and tiles found their way to Cebu City where they were used in the houses of the elite. Argao remains one of the few townsin the country that still has traces of Spanish and early-American influencesThe municipality of Argao is located at the southeastern portion of the province of Cebu, approximately 68 kilometers from the City of Cebu. Argao is exactly between Cebu City and the southern tip of the island. It is approximately 26 Km from Carcar, from Alcoy, and from Lo-on which is across the Bohol Strait.
Going to Argao is easy and relatively convenient now since the national road has undergone vast improvements recently, ensuring a safe and faster travel to the southern portion of Cebu. Traveling time to Argao takes approximately an hour and a half to two hours, depending on the traffic situation. Around the town, one can ride motorcycles (tricycles and habal-habal), trisikads, and jeepneys.
History of Argao >
he town of Argao is considered as one of the oldest towns in the province of Cebu, having been founded by the Spaniards and established as a pueblo in the year 1608. But prior to the arrival of the Spaniards, what was then Argao was composed of several families that lived mainly by fishing and farming, as many still do today. According to stories passed on from generation to generation, the name of the town was derived from an abundantly-growing plant in the area, known locally as “Sali-argaw”. The story of Argao’s name is very much like many other localities in the Philippines that derived their names from popular flora or fauna found in the area. As the story goes, a delegation of Spanish officials came to the town and asked a villager, some say a fisherman, what the name of the town was. Obviously, not comprehending the foreign tongue, the man presumed that the Spaniard was referring to the “Sali-argaw” plants in the area, as the Spaniards were waving their arms to mean the entire place. With this, the fisherman simply said “Sali-argaw”, and from that moment on the Spaniards christened the area as el pueblo de Argao. On that very same day, legends further say, many more Spaniards arrived to formalize the establishment of the pueblo and appointed Don Felipe Lucero as the town’s first gobernadorcillo.
According to church records, the church of Argao was founded on October 16, 1733. Another source says that Argao began as an encomienda and that the Argao parish was founded on May 17, 1734. It places Ignacio Olalde, OSA, as its first parish priest. The church tower or belfry was built upon the orders of Bishop Santos Gomez de Marañon (Bishop of Cebu 1829 - 1840).
I will share to you the special delicacy of argao named Torta ,

And this were the beautiful sceneries that you can find in my hometown.


Riverstone Castle, Bugasok falls and Argao Beach
I am so proud of myself that I was born and grown up in this precious town.And very proud to call myself "ARGAWANON!"sulong mga Bisaya!!!!