Carcar

Carcar was known as "Kabkad" or "Sialo" before Spanish colonization.{{citation needed|date=July 2024}} It became a town in 1599. Carcar is considered one of the oldest towns in Cebu, with its Spanish influence lasted more than 300 years ago.

{{See also|Operation Z (1944)}}

In early April 1944, fishermen Pedro Gantuangko and Rufo Wamar, both residents of Carcar, discovered a wooden box floating off the coast of San Fernando, Cebu after they were alerted to the crash of a Japanese plane at sea. Upon retrieving the box from the shore, they discovered a water-soaked portfolio containing various Japanese-language documents, which they dried for the next two days and kept hidden from Japanese authorities. Gantuangko eventually handed over the documents to local guerrillas, with the papers soon reaching Lt. Col. James M. Cushing. Japanese military officers murdered numerous civilians in their persistent search for the documents, with both Gantuangko and Wamar separately fleeing to Bohol to hide from authorities.{{cite web|author=National Historical Commission of the Philippines|title=On this day, 81 years ago[...]|url=https://www.facebook.com/nhcp1933/posts/pfbid0PMeMnXu8EqaHHW9t61M7kAf9NHJbrEcYtYRjod8EpxhUzc8BUEYgSCAdW8rRhc3dl|website=Facebook|publisher=Meta Platforms, Inc.|access-date=April 4, 2025|date=April 3, 2025|quote=[...]Filipino fishermen Pedro Gantuangko and Rufu Wamar, discovered a strange box floating off the coast of Magtalisay, San Fernando, Cebu.}}{{cite journal|last=De Viana|first=Augusto V.|title=The Capture of the Koga Papers and Its Effect on the Plan to Retake the Philippines in 1944|journal=Micronesian Journal of the Humanities and Sciences|date=December 2005|volume=4|issue=2|pages=127-130|url=https://marshall.csu.edu.au/MJHSS/Issue2005/MJHSS2005_205.pdf|access-date=April 4, 2025|publisher=University of Hawaii|quote=Before the discovery of the documents the Americans planned to retake the Philippines by landing first at Sarangani Bay, Cotabato[...] in late December 20, 1944.}}

The documents, later named the "Koga papers" after General Mineichi Koga, were picked up by the American submarine USS Crevalle in Negros Oriental and sent to Brisbane, Australia, where it was discovered by General Douglas MacArthur to contain plans called Operation Z that revealed the Japanese' tactics in the Pacific theatre. The papers soon proved crucial to the forming of the Allied plan to liberate the Philippines, pushing the planned Allied invasion of the country to October 1944, two months ahead of schedule.

{{main|Cities of the Philippines}}

{{Hatnote|For further information, see League of Cities of the Philippines v. COMELEC.}}

In July 2007, the municipality of Carcar was converted into a component city of the province of Cebu after ratification of Republic Act 9436.

On November 18, 2008, Supreme Court ruled that the cityhood charters of Carcar and 15 other cities as unconstitutional as a result of a petition filed by the League of Cities of the Philippines. A year later, on December 22, Carcar and 15 other municipalities regained their status as cities again after the court reversed its November 18, 2008, ruling. On August 23, 2010, the court reinstated its ruling on November 18, 2008, causing Carcar and 15 cities to revert to municipalities. Finally on February 15, 2011, Carcar and the other 15 municipalities regained their cityhood status.

In 2013, after a six year legal battle, the League of Cities of the Philippines acknowledged and recognized the cityhood of Carcar and 15 other cities on July 19, 2013.{{cite news|title=16 new cities recognized as LCP members (Archived)|url=http://archive.sunstar.com.ph/tacloban/local-news/2013/07/19/16-new-cities-recognized-lcp-members-293321|accessdate=March 6, 2018|publisher=Sun Star News|date=July 19, 2013}}{{cite news|title=League finally recognizes 16 'unqualified' cities|url=https://www.rappler.com/nation/34247-league-cities-philippines-recognizes-new-cities|accessdate=March 6, 2018|work=Rappler|date=July 19, 2013}}

Carcar City is bordered to the north by the town of San Fernando, to the west are the towns of Barili and Aloguinsan, to the east is the Cebu Strait, and to the south is the town of Sibonga. Carcar is {{convert|40|km}} from Cebu City, {{convert|23|km}} from Barili, and {{convert|26|km}} from Aloguinsan. It has a land area of {{convert|116.78|km2}}.

Carcar lies on the southernmost part of Metro Cebu area.{{sfn|Sun–Star|2005}}

;Topography

The land is generally level with less than 18% slope comprising 78.7% of the total land area. Areas with slopes ranging from 18 to 50% cover 19.3% of the total land area and those over 50% slope comprise approximately 1.9%. The highest recorded elevation is a little over {{Convert|660|m}} above sea level, located within the barangay of Napo.

;Soil type

The municipality has five dominant soil types namely: Faraon Clay, Steep Phase, the Lugo Clay, the Mandaue clay loam & the Hydrosol type.

Carcar is politically subdivided into 15 barangays. Each barangay consists of puroks and some have sitios.

{{PH brgy table lite|top}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214001| Bolinawan |10881|10852}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214002| Buenavista | 2662| 2294}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214003| Calidngan | 3258| 2953}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214004| Can{{nbhyph}}asujan | 9114| 7845}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214005| Guadalupe |12641|10633}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214006| Liburon | 7606| 6749}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214007| Napo | 6427| 6344}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214008| Ocaña | 9361| 8507}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214009| Perrelos |14129|12901}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214012| Poblacion I |10919| 8996}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214013| Poblacion II | 2680| 2432}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214014| Poblacion III | 6898| 5763}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214015| Tuyom | 6080| 5563}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214010| Valencia | 5485| 4885}}

{{PH brgy table lite|072214011| Valladolid |11523|10606}}

{{PH brgy table lite|bottom|107323}}

The wet season occurs during the months of May to October and the dry season, from January to May.

{{Weather box

| location = Carcar, Cebu

| width = auto

| metric first = Yes

| single line = Yes

| Jan high C = 28

| Jan low C = 23

| Feb high C = 29

| Feb low C = 23

| Mar high C = 30

| Mar low C = 23

| Apr high C = 31

| Apr low C = 24

| May high C = 31

| May low C = 25

| Jun high C = 30

| Jun low C = 25

| Jul high C = 30

| Jul low C = 25

| Aug high C = 30

| Aug low C = 25

| Sep high C = 30

| Sep low C = 25

| Oct high C = 29

| Oct low C = 25

| Nov high C = 29

| Nov low C = 24

| Dec high C = 28

| Dec low C = 23

| Jan precipitation mm = 70

| Feb precipitation mm = 49

| Mar precipitation mm = 62

| Apr precipitation mm = 78

| May precipitation mm = 138

| Jun precipitation mm = 201

| Jul precipitation mm = 192

| Aug precipitation mm = 185

| Sep precipitation mm = 192

| Oct precipitation mm = 205

| Nov precipitation mm = 156

| Dec precipitation mm = 111

| Jan rain days = 13.4

| Feb rain days = 10.6

| Mar rain days = 13.1

| Apr rain days = 14.5

| May rain days = 24.2

| Jun rain days = 27.9

| Jul rain days = 28.4

| Aug rain days = 27.7

| Sep rain days = 27.1

| Oct rain days = 27.4

| Nov rain days = 22.5

| Dec rain days = 15.9

| source 1 = Meteoblue (Use with caution: this is modeled/calculated data, not measured locally.)

{{cite web

| url = https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/historyclimate/climatemodelled/carcar_philippines_1718436

| title = Carcar: Average Temperatures and Rainfall

| publisher = Meteoblue

| access-date = May 10, 2020}}

| date = May 10, 2020 }}

{{Philippine Census

| align= none

| title= Population census of {{PH wikidata|name}}

| 1903 = {{PH census population|1903}}

| 1918 = {{PH census population|1918}}

| 1939 = {{PH census population|1939}}

| 1948 = {{PH census population|1948}}

| 1960 = {{PH census population|1960}}

| 1970 = {{PH census population|1970}}

| 1975 = {{PH census population|1975}}

| 1980 = {{PH census population|1980}}

| 1990 = {{PH census population|1990}}

| 1995 = {{PH census population|1995}}

| 2000 = {{PH census population|2000}}

| 2007 = {{PH census population|2007}}

| 2010 = {{PH census population|2010}}

| 2015 = {{PH census population|2015}}

| 2020 = {{PH census population|2020}}

| 2025 =

| 2030 =

| footnote= Source: Philippine Statistics Authority{{PH census|2015}}{{PH census|2010}}{{PH census|2007}}{{LWUA population data}}

}}

{{PH poverty incidence}}

File:Mercado Ancestral Home.jpg]]

• As a heritage city of Cebu, Carcar contains various Spanish and American period structures. The Carcar plaza alone hosts several heritage structures, the Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria dominates the area. Within the complex various structures stand, including quaint houses and their distinctive architectural details.
• Surrounding the Rotunda and in the public market one will find the famous Carcar chicharon, lechon, ampao, bucarillo, gorgorias and puso – just some of the local delicacies.
• Guadalupe Mabugnao Mainit Hot Spring National Park
• Heritage Houses such as the Mercado Mansion
• Tuyom Beach – Beach Houses
• The Kabkaban Festival, which is the town's local festival in honor of St. Catherine of Alexandria. The name of the festival comes from the old name of the town, which was taken from the local term for the Oakleaf Fern (Aglaomorpha quercifolia) which is abundant in the town, even to this day. Celebrated from the November 23 to 25, it highlights the rich culture, faith, and musical history of Carcar.

The public schools in Carcar are administered by the [https://depedcarcarcity.com/ Schools Division of Carcar City].

{{div col}}

• Bolinawan Elementary School — Bolinawan
• Buenavista Elementary School — Buenavista
• Calidngan Elementary School — Calidngan
• Canal Elementary School — Sitio Canal, Bolinawan
• Can-asujan Elementary School — Can-asujan
• Cara-atan Elementary School — Sitio Cara-atan, Buenavista
• Carcar Central Elementary School — P. Nellas Street, Poblacion III
• Guadalupe Elementary School — Guadalupe
• Hunob Elementary School — Sitio Hunob, Guadalupe
• Kalangyawon Elementary School — Sitio Kalangyawon, Napo
• Kamanggahan Elementary School — Sitio Kamanggahan, Guadalupe
• Kayam Elementary School — Sitio Kayam, Napo
• Liburon Elementary School — Liburon
• Lunas Elementary School — Sitio Lunas, Calidngan
• Mainit Elementary School — Sitio Mainit, Guadalupe
• Manghupi Elementary School — Sitio Manghupi, Can-asujan
• Maximina V. Barangan Elementary School — Poblacion I
• Moag Elementary School — Sitio Moag, Guadalupe
• Napo Elementary School — Napo
• Ocaña Central Elementary School — Ocaña
• Perrelos Elementary School — Perrelos
• Pit-os Elementary School — Sitio Pit-os, Calidngan
• Sa-ay Elementary School — Sitio Saay, Can-asujan
• Tagaytay Elementary School — Sitio Tagaytay, Can-asujan
• Tal-ot Elementary School — Sitio Tal-ut, Valencia
• Tapal Elementary School — Sitio Tapal, Guadalupe
• Tawog Elementary School — Sitio Tawog, Valladolid
• Tuyom Elementary School — Tuyom
• Upland Elementary School — Poblacion I
• Valencia Elementary School — Valencia
• Valladolid Elementary School — Valladolid

{{div col end}}

{{div col}}

• Can-asujan National High School — Can-asujan
• Carcar Central National High School — P. Nellas Street, Poblacion III
• Gelacio C. Babao, Sr. Memorial National High School — Valladolid
• Kalangyawon National High School — Sitio Kalangyawon, Napo
• Liburon National High School — Liburon
• Maximino Noel Memorial National High School — Guadalupe
• Ocaña National High School — Ocaña
• Perrelos National High School — Perrelos
• Pit-os National High School — Sitio Pit-os, Calidngan
• Roberto E. Sato Memorial National High School — Calidngan
• Tal-ut National High School — Sitio Tal-ut, Valencia
• Tuyom National High School — Tuyom
• Tuyom Senior High School — Tuyom
• Valencia National Vocational High School — Valencia

{{div col end}}

• Puesto Integrated School — Sitio Puesto, Napo
• Sacsac Integrated School — Sacsac, Calidngan, Carcar City

• Carcar City College — P. Vasquez St., Poblacion I

• Teofilo Camomot – founded the Congregation of Blessed Virgin Missionaries
• Sheryn Regis – singer

Carcar City Plaza.jpg|Rizal Monument at Old Town Plaza

Carcar City Museum.jpg|Carcar City Museum (formerly, Carcar Dispensary)

Carcar Church 3.JPG|St. Catherine of Alexandria Church Interior

Carcar Church 8.JPG|Carcar Former Municipal Complex

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite news

| url = http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2005/10/08/news/rdc.enlarges.metro.cebu.html

| last1 = Sun–Star

| date = October 8, 2005

| title = RDC enlarges Metro Cebu

| access-date = November 10, 2015

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070930033755/http://www.sunstar.com.ph/static/ceb/2005/10/08/news/rdc.enlarges.metro.cebu.html

| archive-date = September 30, 2007

| url-status = dead

}}

{{refend}}

{{EB1911 poster|Cárcar|Carcar}}

• {{Commons category-inline}}
• {{Wikivoyage inline}}
• [{{NSCB detail}} Philippine Standard Geographic Code]

{{Geographic location

| Centre = Carcar

| North = San Fernando

| East = Cebu Strait

| South = Sibonga

| West = Barili

| Northwest = Aloguinsan

}}

{{Navboxes

| title = Articles related to Carcar

| list =

{{Metro Cebu}}

{{Central Visayas}}

{{Cebu}}

{{Philippine cities}}

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{{Authority control}}

Category:1599 establishments in the Philippines

Category:Cities in Cebu

Category:Cities in Metro Cebu

Category:Component cities in the Philippines

Category:Populated places established in 1599