The amazing town of Argao and its fiesta

Shoutout to all Argaoanons here and abroad. Today is the solemnity of the fiesta of St. Michael the Archangel, in the amazing town of my birth, Argao, the jewel of the 2nd District. Greetings to Mayor Allan M. Sesaldo and Vice Mayor Atty. Orvi Ortega and to the greatest lawyer of Cebu South, former chief justice, Commission on Elections chairman, and U.N. Ambassador Hilario G. Davide, Jr and his son former governor Junjun Davide.

Of all the towns in this southernmost congressional district of the Cebu province, Argao is the largest in area, biggest in population, with the most number of barangays and parishes, and the most economically-advanced. Its people are fantastic, God-fearing, family-oriented, focused on education, with a positive attitude towards life, faithful to its history and culture while its Gen X, Millennial, and Gen Z populations are extremely techno savvy. Argao is famous for its delicious torta and its "hablon" or loom weaving.

Argao is the home of the first governor of Cebu. Julio Aballe Llorente born on May 15, 1863 who was an ilustrado and was educated in Europe as a contemporary of Dr. Jose Rizal. He held the office of the governor from 1899 to 1901, after the Philippines was sold by the Kingdom of Spain to the USA for a measly sum of $20 million (as a package deal with Puerto Rico and Guam). Llorente was a learned man who was not only a local icon but a national figure during the revolution against Spain.

Argao is the home of the Kintanars, Luceros, Albarracins, Alcazarens, Aballes, Birondos, Floreses, Albercas, Mamacs, Carillos, Oyangurens, Bajentings, Gilbolingos, Ortegas, Pantinoples, Gealons, Camarillos, Saras, Caminades, Fuentes, Saragenas, Camineros, Albisos, Miers, Alboreses, and many others. Its famous sons and daughters include the two Davide brothers who are both awardees of the Ramon Magsaysay Award (the Asian Nobel Prize), former chief justice Hilario G. Davide, Jr. for Law and Public Service and his brother Dr. Romulo G. Davide for plant pathology and nematology.

Argao has an area of 191.5 square kilometers and is bounded by Sibonga in the north, and Ronda, Alcantara, and Moalboal in the west, Dalaguete in the south, and in the east by the Cebu Strait. It has a population density of 410 people per square kilometer. It has 9,017 households. Argao is a first-class municipality and has the potential to become a city in a matter of a few years. As of 2017, it had a revenue of ?207.4 million and a total asset of ?478.8 million. However, its poverty incidence is 35% as of 2021.

The 2024 census showed that the population of Argao is 78,111 (one of the highest in the entire province), which should be rounded off to 80,000 by now with high population growth and migration. There are 45 barangays in Argao which is equivalent to four or even five municipalities compared to smaller towns. The biggest population is in Poblacion with 5,570, followed by Bulasa with 3,523 and Talaga with 3,485. The smallest populations are in Panadtaran, 524; Apo, 525; Conalum, 615; Catang, 621; Manadilikit, 645; and Lapay, 677.

Its economy is anchored on agriculture, food production, and tourism. It is famous for its world class "torta", a native cake that is produced with local coconut wine or tuba as a raising agent instead of yeast. Of the three Cebuano baking towns aside from Liloan and Santander, this town produces the best product. The La Torta Festival, replacing the old Pitlagong, since 2011 is a showcase of culture and history. The science and art of baking here is such that both the locals and the tourists consider the torta as world-class in taste.

Today is the fiesta of Argao in honor of its miraculous Señor San Miguel. Argaoanons from all over the world are here in our beloved town. We will see you after we visit Mayor Allan Sesaldo, Vice Mayor Orvi Ortega, and the houses of the town councilors Atty. Collin Rizon, Dr. Rhine Mamac, Jessa Flores-Mier, Atty. Bootsie Birondo-Almirante, Kuya Medics Albero (Anahaw), Juncam Caminero, Jag Lucero-Bacalso, and Vipchoy Semilla. We shall also visit Cong. Willy Caminero and Dr. Stanley Caminero and former governor Junjun Davide.

A blessed fiesta celebration to one and all, my fellow Argaoanons. Viva Señor San Miguel.