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Aug 11-12, 2012

The Ruins of Oslob, Cebu

Location: Municipality of Oslob, Cebu Province

Butanding
It might be safe to say that Oslob was put on the map when a picture was posted on National Geographic of a local fisherman hand-feeding a whale shark (butanding). I've heard that story being bounced around, but I could not verify that through my Google searches. It is a compelling and powerful picture that single-handedly spawned tourism that draws thousands to flock to Oslob and experience the butanding phenomenon. Resorts sprouted like mushrooms, party boats to the butanding area came in hordes and money was injected into the local economy. It is a tourism story that played out nicely for everyone - despite the controversy of disrupting the whale shark's migratory pattern and behavior.

Snorkeling
Butanding watching would have been a must for me had I not done the Donsol butanding odyssey. I chose instead to roam around and check out the reef system with my snorkeling gear - I travel around the country with it, in case an occasion such as this presents itself. I ended up in an osbcure location along Oslob's coastline to find such a reef - it was away from the butanding area, Tan-awan.

Church of the Immaculate Conception
A trip to the capital offered a glimpse of Oslob's colonial past. Nothing comes more iconic than the imposing structure of the Church of the Immaculate Conception. It was built from cut-coral in May 4, 1830 by Fr. Julian Bermejo. It took 18 years to build this church.

Baluarte
The Baluarte (watchtower) of Oslob stands solitary and defiant as it once served as a lookout point against invading Moro pirates. It was built in 1788 from cut-coral. It's present day tranquil demeanor hides the horrors it witnessed in repelling such Moro raids.

Goodbye Oslob
After 2 days, it was time to move on again and head to Cebu City.

--- TheLoneRider

Places to go in Cebu City

Tops Lookout - elevated lookout point, overlooking the city - great at night on a clear day when there is no fog
Taoist Temple - well maintained temple perched on a hillslope inside Beverly Hills
Magellan's Cross - great historical significance, in Mactan where Magellan claimed the Philippines for Spain
Lapu-Lapu Shrine - not really a shrine, but a 20-meter bronze statue of Lapu-Lapu, the chieftain who killed Magellan
Basilica Minore del Santo Nino - commonly known as Santo Niño Church, is an old church built in 1565
Fort San Pedro - built in the early 1700s to protect against Muslim raids, it has cannons, walled fortifications, etc.

Food to eat in Cebu City

Siomai - in Tisa in Labangon
Ngohiong - only found in Cebu (practically all street corners) - deep fried spring rolls with Chinese 5-spice seasoning
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Things to do, Places to go outside Cebu City