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| A landmark in Carcar City, found at the rotunda |
When it comes to traveling, my love for the charming
oldies particularly the grand structures of historic churches has been one of
my priorities. So during my latest trip to Cebu, I was adamant to include
Carcar City in my itinerary.
Having seen a picture of Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Church a couple of years ago, I was enthralled. I knew in a heartbeat that I wanted
to see this with my very own eyes. Well, that and to taste their famous Carcar
chicharon (pork crackling) and ampaw or ampao (pop rice). Surely, I am not the only one who travels where food is a
must-try.
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| One of the beautiful old houses in Carcar City |
Known as the Heritage City of Cebu, Carcar is home to
a number of colonial structures during the Spanish and American era. As I
stepped down along the National Highway, instantly I felt like walking back in
time sans the centuries-old baro't saya and barong tagalog (traditional
Filipino clothes). Behold, right before my very eyes were beautiful stone
houses - the ones that you see in Filipino epic films. The stone houses were
holding the first floor of the residences as the second floor is completely
made of strong dark wood with intricate embellishments.
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| Carcar City Parish Convent |
Most of the second floor windows were made of capiz while the windows of the Parish
Convent looked like it was made entirely of wood and is opened by sliding at
both sides.
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| Saint Catherine of Alexandria Church |
Moving forward, I could see the beautiful church but
was somehow blocked by another statue in front. From afar, I thought it was
Mother Mary but as I looked into my picture, it resembles Jesus Christ holding
a globe and a scepter. The statue has a dome-shaped cover and surrounded by
cherubims.
My heart beats a notch faster with every step I take
as I approach the Saint Catherine of Alexandria Church. Akin to a first date,
butterflies were all-over my stomach. I was practically giggling inside, that
after two long years, I finally came face to face with this amazing structure
that was built more than 100 years ago.
The church is said to be of Greek Orthodox inspiration
with its bell towers resembling some European structures in the same style.
Think of the colorful Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow's Red Square or the
world's tallest Orthodox Church - The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour also in
Moscow and you have an idea how interesting the Saint Catherine of Alexandria
Church is. In between the low-fenced gate fronting the church are 13 columns
with seemingly concrete sculptures each representing Christs' Apostles
including Judas Iscariot.
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| Main door of Saint Catherine of Alexandria Church |
The Saint Catherine of Alexandria Church may not be as
grand as the other centuries-old churches found across the archipelago but it
is definitely one of the most captivating with its simplicity.
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| Numerous stalls selling the famous Carcar chicharon (pork crackling) |
Apart from wanting to get a glimpse of its historic
past, just a few steps from the rotunda is a myriad of the wonderful delicacies
Carcar City is most famous for - cholesterol loading chicharon (pork crackling) and ampao
(sweetened rice crispies). Various stalls claiming to be the
"original" chicharon maker in Carcar abound. Luis Original Special
Crispy Chicharon, MATMAT The Original Carcar Chicharon and The
Original Carcar BAR DIN Crispy Chicharon Since 1950s.
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| One of the many stalls in Carcar City selling ampao another famous delicacy from this city |
A stone's throw away is the Carcar Public Market so we
walked to check out what else was waiting for us. Alas! More of that crispy
chicharon from MATMAT and few more stalls selling blocks of ampao in various
sizes. As recommended by one of the museum's staff, we opted to taste MATMAT
Chicharon.
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| A mountain of pork crackling known as Chicharon, Carcar's must-buy delicacy |
A mountain of freshly cooked pork rind made my mouth water with
glee. I have not seen so much pork crackling in one place in my entire life and
despite the artery-clogging after-effects of over-eating may bring, I hurriedly
ordered a few packs - chicharon with just the skin and that with the laman
plus a few ampao.
Taking a few pictures made it more tempting so after a
few clicks, I found myself munching a pack of that crispy, oh so crunchy Carcar
chicharon. The pork rinds were well-seasoned and cooked to a perfect crackling
brown chicharon. Before I knew it, my pack was almost emptied in just a few
minutes.
I am happy I walked back in time in the streets of
Carcar City - happy being culturally rich and came face to face with Saint
Catherine of Alexandria Church. Despite the maddening heat during this walk, it
was a memorable journey worth traveling to.
The above post is an edited excerpt from my article Walk Back in Time in the Streets of Carcar
City published at Republic of 7107 Island Travel Magazine, Island Travel
& Adventure Section under Issue 2 Volume 3 (September – December 2011).
Pie Rivera is a food columnist of Republic of 7107
Island Travel Magazine. For subscriptions to the magazine, you may email them
at subscription@7107magazine.ph.
For more deliriously delicious dining discoveries and updates, feel free to follow and connect via these sites :
All photos in this site were captured by Pie Rivera unless otherwise stated.
All rights reserved. Eat To Your Heart's Content.
I remember my very first time in Carcar some years back, sampling the different chicharon from the first stall all the way to the last one...that was memorable. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThat is one awesome Chicharon eating spree The Food Dude! :) ... I could not stop munching too! thanks for dropping by, greatly appreciate it! :)
ReplyDeleteWhere i can buy chicharon made in carcar that is only in cebu city area? Please reply.
ReplyDeleteThe only place I found Carcar Chicaron was when I visited Carcar in Cebu but there are now numerous Cebu products that can be purchased in Metro Manila supermarkets, you may want to try.
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