ARGAO's very Own

WELCOME TO MY PLACE

Argao can be reached through an air-conditioned bus ride for P73.00 pesos per person in more or less 2 hours. Travel time can be cut down to less than 2 hours with a private vehicle. A trip in a non-air-conditioned bus is even cheaper. Buses bound to Argao leaves the South Bus Terminal in Cebu City at 15-minute interval. One’s in Argao, tricycles, trisikads, jeepneys or habal-habal can be use to roam around, otherwise, walking will do.

ARGAO derived its name from a tree Sali Argaw that grew abundantly along itrs coastal areas. Sali Argaw trees belong to the family of mangrooves.

The Riverstone Castle

The riverstone Castle was considered to be the only authentic castle in Cebu. The castle was made of stones collected from the nearby river and was constructed using authentic castle-building procedures. You can enjoy the pool, firing range for the hobbyist, a mini-zoo for nature lovers and a great bar for wine and pizza. 

The riverstone castle was formed in april year 2001by the Galeos brothers, Edgar and Edselhence it was conceived during holy week family reunion on hilly farm of Edgar with two foreign

Nationals Mr. Runi Sande in Norwegian married to Argawanon and Mr. Rafael Lemmens, a Belgian National triff of by a beautiful scenery and enjoying the comforting companionship in a drinking sprey. Edsel Galeos, a civil engineer and a successful general engineering contractor suggested to develop a family children park at this instance, shooting of a flawless development ideas were casted.

The riverstone castle resort corporation was formed with Edgar’s land, and Edsel the owner of E.G. & I. CONSTRUCTION CORPORATION as the developer.

By some reckoning about a month later, the family agreed to have it develop onto an ecotourism industry.

The river stone castle resort Owner: J.M. GALEOS FAMILY

Author/ Designer: MR. RAFAEL LEMMENS

Built and dedicated in memory of JESUS M. GALEOS, one of the famous artist in Argao, Cebu Philippines and inaugurated in the year of our Lord Two Thousand Three A.D by HONORABLE SIMEON L KINTANAR, CONGRESSMAN 2ND DISTRICT OF CEBU, ASISTED BY HONORABLE WILFREDO CAMINERO, ARGAO MUNICIPAL MAYOR AND HONORABLE EXPEDITO B. ALCAIN, AND BARANGAY CAPTAIN CANTIG-A, JOMGAO, ARGAO CEBU

ARGAO PARISH CHURCH

The first priority was the location and construction of the iglesia, the church. The mission sanctuaries were roughly east-west oriented in order to take advantage of the sun’s position foe interior illumination. The remainder of the mission complex was laid out around the church: the CONVENTO, rectory, L-shaped to form an atrium serving as the priest’s garden, workshops and kitchen, a cemetery, CUARTEL, soldier’s quarters, a CASA REAL, municipal hall for the CABILDO or AYUNTAMIENTO, the administrative council and government, and ancillary constructions (in Argao the mortuario and the palacio). All these buildings were usually grouped around a walled open court, the plaza , often in the form of a cuadrangulo.

The walled PUEBLO HISPANO ANTIGUO de ARGAO as it stands today was essentially rebuilt by Fr. Mateo Perez during his tenure from 1803 until 1836 around the church which had previously been constructed by Fr. Francisco Espina in the 1780s. Surprisingly, no evidence seems to be available about the preceeding CABECERA, the “town center”, during the previous two hundred years, and do we know when it was raided by the Moros and to what extent it was destroyed. Mateo Perez materialized the concept of a defense structure against these perennial Moro attacks.

A solid rectangular fortification wall surrounded church and rectory, the CASA REAL and the palacio. Integrated into the fortification perimeter were four gates, one on each side, a watchtower by the seashore and one inland, a massive CUARTEL and a stone built mortuario beside the Puerta Marina. This fortified reduccion of Argao provided shelter in times of immediate danger, but it was never intended to include private homes. It was designed as a center of clerical and secular Spanish colonial power. Argawanons were expected to resettle close to this center, under the sound of the bell. Following the original early 16th century decree which stipulated that the indios should live near (but not in) this Spanish-dominated complex, their houses and residences ideally should have surrounded the church/ plaza quadrangle, thus forming a kind of “cluster” settlement which overall could have been called pueblo. But this intended concept of a pueblo de Argao was based on the assumption that our ancestors at that time would have been willing to comply with it. As we have seen this was for two centuries not the case.

Moreover, the vast majority of contemporary Argawanons still live in their remote mountainous barangays, far from the town’s urban center. Argao offers space for its people: in the average more than three thousand square meters for each of its 65.000 inhabitants.

Based on these historical developments we can say that the reduccion plan actually failed to some extent in Argao and ultimately did not relly push through. Nonetheless, the walled PUEBLO HISPANO ANTIGUO de ARGAO is an excellent example of unity. The fact that similar mission complexes in the Americas which today are all but ruins have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites indicates all the more how precious a Heritage Site the Church/ plaza complex in Argao actually is. It definitely deserves our utmost appreciation and recognition.

From the memories of their homeland, the Spanish friars knew quite well of other types of settlements.

   COAL MOUNTAIN RESORT

There are lots of destination in the south part of Cebu, particularly in our place. I love traveling in high places.

Coal Mountain Resort is one of the developing resort in Argao. This resort was yet discovered by many people around Cebu. You might wonder where the name "Coal Mountain Resort" came from. Let us talk first what is the environment looks like. Argao, specifically in the mountain place is a source of coal mines. One of the coal mine owner started to develop the place and name it base on his first business; the coal mining. In addition, all their amenities and rooms are also named after the title of the coal mine workers, like miner, mucker, safety, etc.

ARGAO NATURE PARK

Walking, hiking, jogging or plain sight seeing are simple pursuits that can be done within the vicinity of Argao ‘s Poblacion and its Barangays. A walk around Don Gil, a long stretch of road going to Argao Nature Park is perfect for an early morning or late afternoon jog or walk or even picnics. Enjoy watching the sunrise or the sunset. Argao Narure Park is a perfect destination in Argao for a quiet time. You can walk under big trees or sit by the lagoon area while watching different birds.

If you want to escape the noise in the city with a tight budget, Argao Nature Park is a recommended place. With an entrance fee of only P5.00, you will enjoy the forest feel of the place and a perfect place to unwind at the same time. The place is redolent of a forest with a modern touch. For added adventure, you may enjoy wall climbing for only P 10.00 pesos per climb. There also is the zip line for P 20.00, though the ride isn’t that high nor long, it’s enough to kick your heart. Invite your friend and plan your visit to Argao Nature Park through telephone number (032) 367-7707.

CASA REAL

THE CASA REAL

Their massive stone walls and engaged square columns indicate their original purpose as a defense structure. The cuartel is part of the fortified reduccion and directly connected to the perimeter wall. Gutted by fire in the early 20th century, it was refurbished by the Argao Parents Teacher Association APTA as a school building. Today it is the seat of the Regional Trial Court.

It seems to be hard to determine when exactly the CASA REAL was built. Although a large building, its architectural principle is typically residential, based on a post and beam structure with no supporting walls, like the convento(rectory) and the former palacio. This unfortified structure stands inside the perimeter the walls of which do not connect to have building. Therefore it could have been built before or after the reduccion was fortified. Had it been built before, it would have stood unprotected and extremely exposed to Moro attacks, which is hard to believe. The prominent stone walls are non-load bearing and articulated fascia panels accent its day roof tiles. 

The CASA REAL in Argao. The large building was erected in the early1800s which makes it one of the oldest municipal buildings remaining from the Spanish colonial era. It is a typical residential style post and beam construction. The ground floor of the rectangular two- level building is encompassed by non-load bearing coral stone walls. Hardwood frames and paneling enclose the upper level. An articulated fascia board accents its clay roof tiles.

The CASA REAL is now flanked by two modern adjacent buildings on either side for the executive and the legislative department of the municipal government. The ground floor of the casa real is still used for municipal office space; the entire upper floor serves as a wide sala for gatherings, meetings and functions.

PUERTO MARINA

A structure made of coral stones towering beside the Capella Murtuaryo, this gate served as a main entrance also serve as a watchover for posible Moro attacks.

MAHAYAHAY BEACH RESORT

“ LIVE AND DISCOVER A PARADISE HERE ON EARTH. ”

Welcome to the Mahayahay Beach Resort Argao!! The Mahayahay Beach is a nice sand beach and is a wellknown place for its beauty in whole Cebu. The resort is just infront of the famous Mahayahay Beach. And even at high tide there is an opportunity to swim in our cool swimming pool.

The Mahayahay Beach Resort exists since 1987. But the Resort, as you will see it in the following pictures, is not older than approximately two years. The Resort consists of three houses and offers accommodations for about 20 persons.

Beaches:

The Mahayahay Beach is a nice sand beach and well known for its beauty in whole Cebu. During north monsoon season ( October to May ) there is long headland and the wind comes from north-east. The water at the south beach is very calm during that time. The rainy season/south monsoon ( June to September ) is a stormy time. Strong wind and big waves attract many people from all over the Philippines for wave surfing, windsurfing and especially skim boarding.

Activities:

Skim boarding is a sport similar to surfing which takes place near the shore. When we see a wave we run towards it with our skim board still in hand. Upon reaching the wet sand we drop the board and jump onto it as quickly as possible. Once on the board, we must remain as stable as possible and prepare to make the transition to the ocean.

WALLED PUEBLO OF ARGAO

One of Cebu’s most popular town is Argao, a first class manucipality. the town was believed to be establishedas Pueblo in the year 1608 In 2008, they avidly celebrated their 400th year with festivities and fireworks . the '08 feast was celebrated for nine straight days with Pitlagong festival, a celabration known nfor its dance competition as one of its highlights.