I’ve visited Negros a million times since I was a kid. And the part about traveling to Negros which I hated the most was passing through the Municipality of Argao. I mean, Argao is one of southern Cebu’s biggest districts and I always thought that there was something about that place that made me nauseous and want to vomit. I guess this was the exact reason why Argao never really intrigued me.
Last Wednesday, the ever-talented Pikoy told me that some of the artists from the office have agreed to join Argao’s ‘Argao 400‘ – a visual art contest to commemorate the establishment of the municipality in 1608. The municipality is holding a contest for photographers and artists to paint or shoot distinct scenes of life in Argao.
So, to show our support and to visit Argao na pud, we (with Line and Jen) decided to go.
So, what do I think of Argao? One word: Lovely!
And awesome.
And amazing.
And breathtaking. Hahahaha.
In love with Argao!
Argao’s Balay Lungsod (Municipal Hall) welcoming guests to the Argao 400.
To start the day, we had breakfast sa Alex Kafe. Lami kaayo diri.
View of the church from the cafe.
For breakfast, we had omelet
Longganisa
Fried Rice
and Beef Steak. Yummy!
Master Pikoy inom2x ug kape. Hahaha.
Interior of the cafe. Nindot kaayo.
Table and chair. Naay art.
Mga dalan sa Argao. Very clean and well-maintained.
Entrance to the church.
Old house beside the gate.
Belltower and tree.
To the Balay Lungsod
Broken clock
Belltower
The beautiful church of Argao.
Balay Lungsod
Hall of Justice
Legislative Building
Argao’s Joe
Age-old hospital of Argao
To the beach
Pagong and church
That last building is the Executive building
Intricate carvings
Terra-cota roofing sa municipal hall.
Church door. We weren’t able to get in.
Some funny posts:
Deep kaayo
Bistek tingali ni
Mga bastos! Hahahaha.
Fishermen
Ang beach
Kid and his beachball
Back to the church
Red flower
Argao coast
Roots
Interior of second level of the Balay Lungsod
The town square. Lovely lovely sight.
—————————————————————————
ARGAO 400
Artist nagpaint sa grass.
Another artist.
Some of the entries.
Mao ni iyang gi-paint.
Another entry
Another one
Artist painting inside the Municipal Hall
Master Pikoy decided to go to the beach and paint something else.
Master Pikoy in action
———————————————————————–
Scene at the beach:
Foreigner enjoying the sun
Master Pikoy and Miguel
Wow!
Ang view nga gi-paint ni Master Pikoy
MORE SHOTS:
Enjoy!
Wow, I never been to Argao but when I was growing up in Mabolo we had a neighbor that came from Argao. Ley, thanks for the lovely photogs, I always love browsing your site every week for any new stuff. I really get home sick and wanted to go back home asap.
mura man pod ug nag tour na pod ko sa Argao, ayosa sa mga pictures uy, ana dyud, develop, protect and value local talents . . . asa man ang torta???
for a while there, i thought you were talking about another beautiful woman in the mold of sian
great pics ley, as always!
deep leffard!
i really feel i am deep in that warm blue sea water. . . so cool, calm and inviting! ! ! ‘tay gyud, di pa ko kauli-mind my lengauje=):
Very nice – Wow – did not realize that Argao is such an old community!
I will be using your blog for the annual International Festival tomorrow. Philippines – Culture, History and Globalization. You have it all and of course my beloved Cebu!
Will have 2 lap top stations for the university community to check your blog out – love the photos and the historical background.
Thank you for such great work!
thanks mam edna.
thanks guys for the comments. hehehe.
hala kanindot sa ilang simbahan, karaan na kau.
i like the fishermens photo, and i can see Bohol.
vry nice town kadaghan nilag building oi.
Beautiful pictures Ley and painting.
and the winner isssssssss
[...] a visual art contest in Argao sponsored by the town itself last Saturday, February 9. It was called Argao 400 … (you can check the link for more pictures). Anyway, we started out at 7 in the morning. [...]
no pictures of the “golden” retablo ley?
hahah. nalingaw ko sa mga bandals(sic) sa bungbong. bunal sho!!!
I will always love Argao. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to visit there, next time na lang ‘cuz I’m going back there with my children this time. I’m back in Canada now. It’s a weird feeling, from extreme heat to extreme cold. LOL. I had a great time there. Gorgeous pics of Argao!!
Abi nako Baclayon Church…great pics !!! Makahinumdom man sad ko ani sa dapit sa akong mama…Baclayon, Bohol…gimingaw na jud ko samot…LOL
si line kay Ms. Maniniyot.
sorry line. i make the asinine (in ley’s opinion but “cute” according to me)comments here. i will do the same on your blog. hihi.
i miss argao! my mama was born there…
the old structures are amazing..they really did a good job in preserving them..and hopefully, they’ll keep it that way — nostalgic…
Lovely shots. I’ve always loved the old world charm of my mom’s hometown. The old chapel beside the ‘puerta marina’ archway leading to the beach is a rare ‘capilla de sacrificios’ for stillborn children:
http://eazy360.multiply.com/journal/item/51
Sharing some of my recent lomographs of Argao (and Carcar):
http://eazy360.multiply.com/photos/album/67
well done..how i wish i could see the winning entries of the contest..hope to see them nxt tym i visit this site..
Hi Ley! This is an inspiring post of Argao, it’s now in my growing list of places to visit in Cebu. Great shots, as always!
we are thankful for the effort you extend to the municipality.Thru it you are helping us in promoting the Argao 400 celebration.
What a nice job!!!
More power…
Argao is my mother’s hometown, but she marries somebody from the north, so we were based there. Every December my family and some of my cousins visits my maternal grandparents in Argao and stayed with them for a week or so.It was also bonding time with cousins that I seldom see. I can still remember when it was only the horse driven tartanillas are plowing the streets, then later on the motorcycles with the side cars. Looking at those pictures of the old church ,the municipal hall, and the ruins, brings back a lot or memories. Those are theplaces that we go for a stroll every afternoon. A lot of love ones are not with us anymore, but those pictures sure did bring back happy memories from 30-40 years ago.
argao… sus sa kadugay nako diha sa Cebu.. kausa ra jud ko kaanha
walalagey picture kung unsay gipaint ni pikoy?
wow…ka nindot gud sa argao…ako landlady dati kay taga argao man..pero wla jud ko ka anha aning dapita…basta nindot jud kaau…
this reminds me of everything even the vandalism structs me and the breath taking view ..4 years from now ill be there…
our recent trip to cebu last dec-jan also brought us to argao, suroy-suroy lang. kita pud namo nang foreigner – a local mentioned to us that he’s like part of the beach scene there
We like the photo of Mike on the Beach (Foreigner enjoying the Sun – as u call it) actually he is practically pinoy now he has been in phils for more many years na. And we like the the photo of the old house cos we cant remember the location. Everything else was very good, very professional
do you happen to know the nbr for ALEX KAFE??? can you post it…
hi leylander, great fotoblog! it is not easy to find decent pics from argao online, yours made it! hope you don’t mind that I linked your fine blog in my website about the construction of my house in lamacan, argao which is http://www.visionary-gfx.com. maybe i see you there one day.
Thanks for dropping by, Karl. You have a cool site.
Your site is simply marvellous and informative:)
i’ll be hitting Cebu this weekend
All so excited bout it now!
Cheers!
I was born in Argao and thanks for all the pictures it remind me when I was growing up in my in my home town. In fact I finished my high school in Argao. I missed everything, I wish I can visit Argao….Gimingao na ako. As I look at all the pictures, I missed my friends and classmate…I am now living here Los Angles Ca and I wish meet my old friends relatives in Argao..
wow! ganda!! ! next time sibonga naman ha.
nice pictures ha! next time visit sibonga naman!
nice place! the people are warm, the beach is good and i have had a friend there who brings me to visit their place, Marites Sarvida. Where are yopu now Matchay!
ako husband’s family (sa iya father side – Bajenting/Lucero) is from Argao.. been there once and loved the place jud.. lovely town! mayta kabalik mi pohon ig uli namo sa Pinas!
Heel mooi fotos!!!! Well done allemaal… Mijn mama komt uit Argao. Ik ben in Argao nog nooit geweest. Fotos zijn heel erg leuk. Als ik groot wordt, ga ik samen met mijn mama naar Argao.
Hello everyone… I love watching the photos ,it’s really pretty. I was thinking to visit Argao and most espicially there church . I would like to ask some help here. How much is the bus fare from cebu city to Argao? How can i get to Argao church from cebu city? can anybody tell me some direction from cebu city to Argao church or maybe map? I really scared to get lost. so that is why i ask help here..Hope someone can help me..thanks in advance
Peepers
hi peepers.
find a ‘bato/oslob’ bus (south bus terminal). fare should be less than 100. tell the driver or conductor where you want to go. the bus will stop in the poblacion (argao town proper). you can take a tricycle or you can walk (and ask around). the church is pretty easy to find.
Thank you so much Leylander, I really appreciate this..thank you
Hi, I’m a visitor from Japan!!
I’ve been roaming around the world through the internet to find something new about Cebu.
I mean I used to stay in Cebu for a year for studying English.
As a reslut, I ‘m attracted by everything from Cebu when I was there.
By the way, I have a web-blogs about Cebu, so please visit my site if you like!!
Don’t angry at me what I wrote,,I just wanna know Cebu more!!
Have Fun!!
Nobu.
Cebu cuisine
セブ留学
missing ang famous torta sa argao.by the way, ang park sa municipal hall is wifi hotspot.talbog cebu city.nindut jud ang argao,preserved ang kasagarang old houses.typical of a community nga mostly educators.not to mention si honorable hilario davide.kana lang balay skina sa highway padung kilid sa simbahan.naa pud nay balay diha nga kabungkagun pero nindut ug architectural design.apil-apilun jud ko.
tanx sa pics and for showing Argao to d world. good job!
mis nako ang Argao, my home town
hello sa tanan argawanons, relatives, friends and classmates.
b der soon
Bai!
Wa jud diay nakaeskapo ang mga vandals sa may dagat nimu no? Haha. Naa sad koy pics anang mga gipangsuwat diha. Cge gyud mig agik-ik ana. Pero ang ako masulti nimu daghan pa kag madiskubre diha. Bisitaha ang falls dha ug ang balay sa agta. Nindot gyud. Naa pay hike2x ug river trek gamay.
Lingaw jud kog tanaw sa imu blog diay. Naa na kos Japan gud karon ug tinuod gyud diay ning kamingaw. So magsurf na lang sad ko ug mga cebu blogs pawa sa kalaay. Taga UP High diay ka? Niattend ka sa centennial homecoming? Nagtudlo ko didto last year usa ko nilarga dre aron muskwela.
Ayay, pasensya sa taas nga storya! Haha. Sa sunod na lang sad. Ayuayo. Amping!
sir. salamat sa pagbisita. yup. up high ko. pero dugay na man to. lol.
lagi. wala pa gyud ko kadiskubre sa tibuok argao. sige lang.. next time. hehehe
thanks sa pag post ley, hehehe nice ayo amo province…. hehhehe mwuah… GOd bless.
hai….hannah….lindot jud d.i ang argao….bati lang..
hapi fsta argao!!!!!
fsta na jd!~!!!!!
asa man ta mangaon ani oI????
WOW ANG pda mo ari sa argao sos mo lantaw jd ko ana bsag pila pa ang plta!!!!!!
kita kitz na mga pepzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!
400 na ta tym kapamilya argao!!!!!!!
I never thought that after 22 years away from the Phil., Argao especially, has so many improvements that I almost lost my way. In Lamacan where I come from, there are many new roads and many big buildings. Thanks to my sister, Shirley. With her tricycle I could see how Argao looks. I’m sure that I come again but this time with my friend and children. They are also very eager to see Argao especially their Lolo Maning and Lola Moning.
By the way, I liked to stay here longer but I must fly after 3 weeks.
Schoenen Gruss aus Deutschland.
Whatta amazing photos! I grew up in Argao and I really missed this town. The beach reminds me in mahayahay where my father died. I missed torta and tabliya sa ka Gilang. I missed riding my bicycle din adto merkado and buy fish and fresh vegetables and ginamos. The graffiti/vandalism are funny but its not good. It makes a bad image to the tourists. Who ever wrote those vandalismo is a savage person.
Thanks for posting the funny graffiti, especially the reminder. It’s another way of saying “Go directly to the point”. The pictures? Lovely. I felt I was transported to another time in history. Argao really has still something to show for its 400 years of existence.
oh my god.. someone mention ginamos.. kalami ginamos ug saging bal ba nga-an did i said that right?.. im from tuburan.i never been to argao.. thank you for all your pictures ley..medyo. na bawasan akong ka homesick diri.. and i have an idea where to go next time i visit cebu
ley,
ang galing mo tlaga
God bless!
SOS DAKONG TAGA ARGAO JUD KO PERO DIA NAKO SA ENGLAND KARON…DINDOT NA JUD ANG ARGAO…MISS NA NAKO ANG GINAMOS,BULAD UG SAGING HURRAH! TULO JUD AKONG LAWAY OIZZ…THANKS KAAYO SA OWNER SA WEBSITE YOU DID GOOD JOB! CHEERS…
WOW! THANKS FOR THOSE PICS GANG! GOOD JOB. AS SOON AS I LOOK AT THOSE PICS. JUST LIKE NAKAHINOMDOM KO SA ARGAO GAMAY. GIKAN SA TALAGA 14YRS. YOUNG PA. JUST FINISH 1ST. YR. HIGH AND GONE OFF TO HAWAII. THAT WAS 30YRS AGO. NEVER COMEBACK PA! I HOPE JAN. ‘09 MAHINAYON OG VACATION FOR TWO WEEKS SIGORO. ANYWAY, KEEP UP THE WORK.
ALOHA
WOW!its amazing how you guys have captured those shots.It makes me think og the good old days of my beloved hometown …Im a pure argaoanon!!!my mom and dad were both from argao though I grew up in the city but we always go back to the countryside every now and then…the old chruch,the shore,the torta and bibingka,the fishermen,the medical hospital…the city hall itself…OH! How I miss those scenery now that I`m here in the states…
Thanks a lot for bringing up good old memories!!!
Lyn Kintanar
To Lyn Kintanar,
Normally, I’m not like this, asking question from a stranger. I was just checking out several web sites while my wife watching t.v. show and I saw your comments close to mines. You mentioned that you are from Argao and your last name sounds so familiar. Did you go to “CSAIS”by any chance? My two older sisters, Rosie and Elizabeth went to the same school and they probably remember you. Anyway, if you don’t mind, we don’t really get to meet Argao people here in Hawaii.It’s funny, i get excited when I met one. Excuse me if I sounds strange but if it’s not too much to ask my email address is kitocomm@aol.com.
Kito Olita
Kaboang sad aning Reminder oi. Matuk-an man ta ani kinatawa! However the pictures are pretty.
waa..
niCe !
naApiL jud ang naWong sah uYab sakO bEstfriend..
kana naai tag nga ‘another artist’..
haha
ataka!
nasHocked kO gamay dah!
asa dapit ang catang? daghan daw penguins didto, hi mga penguins, bacachoi
woottt!!! wooott!!!! nice photos!!! looking at those stunning pics reminds me so much of my father. he was a proud Argaoanon (not sure if thats the right term
) and his dying wish was to be buried there. although i am not very familiar with the place, i am always at home whenever i visit my relatives there. thanks for sharing those pics… it brought back wonderful memories. not to mention, i missed the Torta so much!
wow! nalipay ko nakakita sa akong yutang dili natawhan apan yutang diin ako gituboan ug buot ug bot-bot.
pag butang pag daghan hulagway do, i-apil ang sam-ang aron akong paagi paghinumdum sa mga nitaliwan na ning kalibutan.
daghang salamat!!!!
nice places hope always good look
wow, ka nice pag ka picture….taga argao q, in fact very weekend q uli sa argao, pero sukad wa ka appreciate sa mga omprovements pero sa pics naka ingon ko ka nindot man diay sa argao,,, mag la.ag2x na diay q panagsa oi, mura naman nounko stanger sa akong kaugalingon nga hometown, huhu, how sad!!!well, definety i love my hometown very much bisan kon papiliun ko kon argao or america, id rather choose argao, its the best…samot na kon katilaw ka sa torta dayon paresan ug homot nga chokolate, pastilan makalimot ka jud sa imu ngalan..
tanx bay sa pau upload this beautiful captures!! i love it..
hey is this emilou rubia from aces batch 2000?
this is amazing!!! terrific pictures! i always know my hometown is this beautiful but now it makes me miss more and wanted to comeback there. the photos are just terrific!
great photo captures guys… thanks for kputting this in this blog now i can see argao even if im halfway around the globe.
keep it up!
kirsten
Nindot tanan nga shot! Especially ang kid w/ his beachball. Kasi anak ko iyong nakatayo sa doon. Amaze ako. Paano nyo nakunan ng hindi ko alam? Anyway, Thank you! Hindi ako taga Argao but im working here. Ma in love ka talaga..
pwede apilon ang pics sa miss argao first festival,.heheh
para makita nila na dili lang lugar ang nindot sa argao, mga gwapa pa gyud.
charing…
nindota na argao oi..promise
wow nice pic and nice blog!!! mingaw na nuon ko sa torta diha dah!!!
fiesta diay sa Lamacan today… adto ta ila boss arding …
padad i nalang ko torta flong… hehehe
“I WAS AMAZING THAT THE PLACE OF ARGAO IS PARANG BAG-O PERO DAAN NA 2 2OO YRS WOW I CANT BELIEVE THAT,SO I WANT 2 SEE UR BEST IN ARGAO
NINDOTA XA ARGAO UI!!!!!!!!!!!
I LUV IT!!!!!!!!
SAMOT NA ANG TORTA NILA O SOS SUYA GYUD KO
SOMEDAY I WILL VISIT THERE!!!!!
NICE TO MEET THEM!!!!!1
nice shoot, it’s me!!!… i was one of the contestant back then, it’s nice to remember how grateful i am to be one of the participants, unfortunately i didn’t won, but my experienced is enough to be called as winners.
friend mo ni pikoy/perry famador?
yes. he’s also an officemate.
naks!, small world. regards ko…ingna choi taga springdale. hehehe
miss ko ang hometown ko ARGAO,iwas born here last jan 19,1956.hope to meet my batch of CSAIS BATCH 1970S PAREHAS NILA;celso cagigas,nena cagigas,adelia alcazaren,delia albaran.celso miranda,liza pantinoplezoe monte.manuel monte and nalimot ko sa uban apan sa torta wa malimot kay mao nay hinungdan napahak akong ulo kay nakuha kog torta sa sarangan.nagpuyo ko sa candabong,argao,uban pa among batch sila rex alfafara,jane pangandoyon syempre silingan god mi ani sa una pero karon dia nakos bukidnon.nisugod kog puyo diri last april 05 1986 up to now.you can visit me at my friendster bahalag tigulang na pawala sa kalaay.am going home cebu this aug 21-22,2009 may seminar mi sa ayala together with my officemates nga taga DCDB,dumaguete city,lapulapu city,valencia city bukidnon and dcdb qzn branch bukidnon.then laag vkog kadiyot sa argao ug alcoy lugar sa aakong asawa.
bay… salamat kaayo sa mga pics… reminds us from where we are. lasbina sa mga bata pata. well good work choy & more power.. hope u can add more pics especially to our most scenic spots. proud of being argawanon.
wow!!! na miss na jd nko ang argao ang church,plaza,dagat,(lawis and pier) it reminds me sa akong mga happy moments wd fryns. (karaoke,inom,overnyt swimming,tan.aw basketball,disco,etc.) i was born in argao and now daghan n au ug kausban.naa pa jud dghan mga nindot na dapit sa argao. hay asa mn ang torta!!!! how i wish mk.uli ko nxtyear…i mz my family…..
nkaanha nako sa argao pro dugay na, and i want to go back there puhon..try nya nako anha sa Alex Kafe, hehhehe.. naa koi mga relatives ug classmates na tga argao. dugay nako wala nakalaag ddto dah!
wow..i missed argao upon seeing the pics..Argao 400? it was a memorable event for me..my boyfriend tried to join the painting contest unta, sad to say, Argao is such a beautiful place that he cant even paint any scenes in it…hehehe…
ahm, ngau ku gamay na pics hahh…ipaprint nku…
Thanks!
thanks. which ones?