Heritage Tour to Sibonga and Argao, Epic it was!

by - 2:12 PM

RAFI or Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc., Gabii Sa Kabilin (GSK) main organizer, in celebration of National Heritage Month, invited media and bloggers in a day that was full of adventure, knowledge and most of all, heritage and culture flashback at southern part of Cebu on May 18, 2012. FaceCebu.net, which covers GSK from its full blast years back until now, was one of the participants for the Media heritage tour held in Sibonga and Argao, respectively.

Me, waiting for SUTUKIL session in Argao

Friends from Media and blogosphere met at Casa Gorordo Museum (Lopez Jaena Street, Cebu City) for the Assembly. I wore shorts up to knee, with my comfy light yellow polo fit shirt for TOP and Signor black/white light shoes which made me comfortable during the walking tour and I advise not to wear accessories every heritage tour especially during Gabii Sa Kabilin 2012 and don't forget to bring water, pick-a-pick snacks and face towel. Too bad, i wasn't able to wear my cap for I wasn't predicting that Mr. Sun was so bright that day but luckily, the weather embraced us very well.

We arrived at Nuestra Señora Del Pilar de Zaragosa, Sibonga Cebu past 10 AM and we were all excited for sightseeing and information overload! What amazed us was the very big wooden door of the Church and upon entering it, the eye-catching mural on the ceiling which was creatively done by Raymundo Francia, a famous Cebuano artist, captured everyone inside! Very interesting art was the one above the altar which shows the seven days of creation (Genesis).


Front of Nuestra Señora Del Pilar de Zaragosa 

Old Books display during Gabii Sa Kabilin at Sibonga Cebu

A colorful and detailed window 

Old lady cleaning up the Altar

Altar of Nuestra Señora Del Pilar de Zaragosa

The Creations art above the Altar

Side portrait of Nuestra Señora Del Pilar de Zaragosa

Me and my buddy travel blogger, Mark Gallardo

A group pose from Media and Bloggers

Trivia: Sibonga's Church was built by male inhabitants who were required to bring two big stones to the Church every Monday. They help in construction without asking payment or returns.

Next stop was the colorful and beautiful municipality of Argao. This maybe a "hey, what happen to you?" type of action but when we arrived at Cabecera de Argao - giant Torta, I immediately went off the Van and headed straight to that giant Torta and took a picture, simply amazing! We then headed to "Balay Lungsod of Argao" for a Courtesy call by Municipal Mayor Edsel Galeos and discussed their replica of Cebu City's Gabii Sa Kabilin activity the night of that day.


Nice View it is, right?



Municipality of Argao


Torta Pose with Travel Blogger


Argao Church from the Park


A group pose with Municipal Mayor Galeos



Preserved Public Well


Old Canyon structures


We had a chance of hanging around the ever famous, Argao Plaza which is aside from being traditionally conserved, the Plaza gives a free WIFI service to all - first free internet outside Mandaue and Cebu City. I even had a chance in uploading my instagram photo during the meeting with the Mayor.


This is what sali-argaw tree looks like



Trivia: Argao was named after a tree Sali-argaw which dominantly spotted near the Shorelines.

With my camera ready for every scene, we visited the much preserved St. Michael, The Archangel Church and took some lovely shots of its Facade and interiors which as expected designed by our very own Raymundo Francia. This Church bears one of the oldest Bell in cebu located in its Tower. The Altar was amazingly preserved with Gold and silver color combinations.


ABOVE: Argao Church Facade. BELOW: The Golden altar


Next on the itinerary was to visit Argao Nature Park and what did i expect? It's a Parkwide free wi-fi! Dang! I did love and enjoyed it very much! Just in the right side of the Park, you'll see the big statue of Mary with in the Pond of big fishes. There is also a bridge used to cross going to the other side/part of the Park.


So much for those inherited gifts from our Ancestors, we then visited the very famous makers of Torta and Tabliya, Jessie's Homemade Torta and Argao's Guilang Tableya respectively. The sweetness of Torta made our tired faces smile! And with those real and i said real Sikwati from Gulang's tableya, hot refreshment it was!


Past 12 in the afternoon, we managed to take our late lunch at Bienmar SU-TU-KIL, sea culture and seafood restaurant located at the center area of the sea! Fresh seafoods are served. You can actually request what to cook and find them fresh from Fish Cages located beside the resto.



On our way to SUTUKIL Resto



SUTUKIL waitress serving the fish menu


Hungry Birds they are!


My favorite of all!

For reservations and information, please check below contact details:


Jessie's Homemade Torta
Brgy. Canbanua, Argao, cebu
Tel. Num: (032) 367-7455


Bienmar SU-TU-KIL
Bienvenido C. Mamalias
Taloot Warf, Argao, Cebu
Cell Num: 0922-8555271 / 0917-7100037
Tel. Num: (032) 406-7138


When our tummy went full, we then spent our last hours at Taloot, Argao Marine Sanctuary and Liki Spring which truly gave a relaxing way of chilling. Indeed, Argao gives the real meaning of Culture from past which is connected today.



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1 comments

  1. I am so proud to be an Argaowanon! Keep posting photos guys! Good jobs. Keep it up!

    ReplyDelete

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