OSLOB "Place of Natural Indulgence"

Have you ever been in a town that showcases historic and scenic views that will allow you to collect so many memories when you left. It might take more or less 3 hours to arrived at the place but everything that you will be experiencing is so worthwhile.

Carry your backpacks and join me as I take you a tour on the "Place of Natural Indulgence: OSLOB".

Oslob is formerly known as "Nigad". The word “Oslob” originated due to the misunderstandings between a native couple who's named are "Umpang" and "Burong", and the two civil guards(guardia civils) in the year 1785. The story goes when the said couple were taking a rest under a tree and eating a boiled bananas while soaking it in a vinegar and salt.Two Civil guards pass by and asked the couple; “Como se llama esto pueblo?”(What is the name of this town?). The couple not understanding what the civil guards were saying and thinking that they were asked what they were doing. And since at that time, the couple were soaking the bananas they replied ”Toslob”, which means “Soak or to dip”. And later on, the name was shortened to "Oslob".

Spanish Cuartel

There's no historical landmark has been installed and there's no document about its history has been retrieved but I’ve found out that it was built by El Gran Maestro Don Marcus Sabandal to serve as barracks for the Spanish armies. It is also believed that it served as the first line of defense for the naval infantry due to the town’s strategic location however, its construction was put on hold when the Americans arrived in 1899.&nbspThe Spanish Cuartel, a double rows of arches and 91 centimeter-thick walls of coral stones is said that the stones used for its construction came from the remnants of the collapsed floor of the once five-level bell tower of the nearby church of Nuestra Señora de la Immaculada Concepcion.

Nuestra Señora de la Immaculada Concepcion

Fronting the coast of Oslob is the massive church of Immaculate Concepcion. Constructed on May 4, 1830, that was designed by Bishop Santos Gomez Marañon. He is the same prelate who had built the kiosk of Magellan’s Cross in Cebu City that holds another historic story. However, the construction of the current structure is attributed to Fray Julian Bermejo, the warrior-priest who organized a military defense system composed of "Bantay sa Hari"/watchtowers and fortress churches in the southern coastal region of Cebu. Unfortunately, the church together with its centuries-old rectory is undergoing major reconstruction after both structures were razed by an 8-hour fire in 2008. December  8 is the Feast of the Immaculate Concepcion, the patroness of Oslob.

Oslob Belfry

Flanking on the left side of the main church is its four-storey massive belfry. Natives said that the belfry used to be five-levels high however the topmost floor was destroyed by a typhoon and was never rebuilt then another story is said that the belfry is a seven-storey high with 10 bells which have collapsed in 1871. I'm confused though the belfry is so scenic that you can't help yourself but locked your eyes into it.

Baluarte

Constructed on 1788 to act as defense front line of the complex against the moors that enjoyed invading the pueblos along the coast is called "Paril/Baluarte". The thick antique coral stonewalls are topped by a series of inverted cone shaped stones, this unique feature completes the medieval fortress. Attributed by Fray Bermejo, one can only imagine how it looked like from the ruins, the rear portion of the massive wall, gun-slits and the small entrance.

Calle Aragones

The oldest street in Oslob is built on 1879 that is called "Calle Aragones", was named after Parish Priest, Fr. Jose Aragones during the Spanish Era. Walking along in the old street you will then realized that you're following the main processional route way back that connects the church complex with that of the cemetery. The panteon is the focal point of the cemetery complex. According to tradition, the site is where the Spanish priests performed their penitential rituals every 8 in the evening over a platform that once stood at the center.

Tumalog Falls

Another a-must-see and recently discovered place in Oslob is the raw beauty of Tumalog Falls. Also known as “Toslob Falls” or “Mag-Ambak Falls”. The falls have mini-umbrellas that cascade fine strands of cold, fresh water in a rain-like fashion. To get there, you first have to drive a car or rent a "habal-habal" for 15 minutes to the highlands of Oslob and hike for another 15 minutes to discover the falls in which the way down was very steep. There's a natural mini-pool that welcomes you as you enter the area and a century-old trees that provides a mini Jurassic era ambiance. Everyone's might be jaw dropped upon seeing the humbled by the natural beauty of the falls. This immaculate nature attraction is truly breath-taking.

Whale Shark and White Sand Beaches

Oslob is rich of beaches where white sands resides together with a very awesome view of the horizon from the shoreline or wherever your eyes gets you. The very quite sea hides a very big secret that natures offer, "Whale Sharks". You may have four options to experience the humble giants' company.
       • Scuba dive from a  shore entry, it is just a shallow dive in about less than 5 meter but always note that there might be a strong currents along the coast.
       • Snorkel along the sea with your own gear or you might as well rent for there are also available gears from the beach owner.
       • Take a ride on a small fishermen’s boat wherein usually only room for one visitor per boat within 40 minutes.
       • Hire an outrigger boat but the things is, there are restrictions on how close you can get to the whale sharks.

You may check out their Official Website: oslob.gov.ph to collect some information on how things are going and how to get there, fell free to interact. You might as well check on the video below to boast your interest on the place.

Here are some pictures that might interest you to visit at Oslob,"Place of Natural Indulgence".

The beauty of nature do hugs your eyes  the moment you arrive at the place, Oslob.

Solemnity strikes as you pave yourself on the park that offers the view of the horizon.

The holy ground of Nuestra Señora de la Immaculada Concepcion Parish let's you contemplate deeply.

"So what are you waiting for my dear beautiful ladies and handsome guys out there. Experience the humble offer as our Mother Nature showcases OSLOB, Place of Natural Indulgence." ^_^

*Credits to the University of San Jose-Recoletos, Marketing students of Hotel and Management(BSHM). Mr. Steven N. Sasam's class for the pictures and video.

*Ma. Rhe John, G-Anne, Stingo, Waneth, Mariz, John Louis, Jona, Jenny, Deyya and Janine.

Dig Deeper »

Connect to Your Loved Ones with SwissClear Global

" End any communication problems that bothers you a lot, with SwissClear Global"

Mostly nowadays, Filipinos are looking forward to work abroad for so many reasons and one of it is for their loved ones to have a brighter future. The thing is while millions of Filipinos work overseas either temporarily or permanently, their children directly carry the burden of living with absentee parents. Flying far from home will made you missed the loved ones you left behind, advanced communication technologies such as the latest Internet communication features and tools do play a great role on connecting us on our families even we’re too far from each other’s side. Long-distance relationships among families luckily are preserved.

I do experience such thing, having one of your closest cousin be far, that you're not be able to talk on them personally like before. Online technologies do stay us connected but there are things that hinders us from doing so, like logging in a computer(what if you don't have a computer with you) or having a very slow internet connection. Good thing that I had just learned that SwissClear Global do have solutions if those things are present then you may simply put constant communication remains possible despite the geographical separation.

SwissClear Global is a Singapore-registered company established in 2008 with a passion to connect humanity and a service provider for international mobile airtime recharge, content and gaming credits. The company offer their clients a service that is based on the three fundamental principles:
1. Security
    - Provide a thorough monitoring system and procedures to avoid fraud, liability exposures and any kind of service abuse.
2. Neutrality
    - Operate from an independent and well accepted market place for financial sevices with necessary balanced framework of regulation in place.
3. Trust
    - Reliable partner with competencies to operate a global network and deliver on the services as agreed.

To have a larger view on mobile recharge and know more about SwissClear Global kindly take time to watch the video below:

You may also visit their website: www.swissclearglobal.com
And check out their Facebook Page: www.facebook.com/Swissclearfanpage

"So what are you waiting for, if you have loved ones that far from your place then its time to make some moves and take time to check out SwissClear Global... ^_^ "

Dig Deeper »

ArtsWork Cebu 2013 | Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. and Ateneo de Manila University

Extended Application for ArtsWork Cebu

           Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) Culture & Heritage and the Ateneo de Manila University (AdMU)-School of Humanities announces the extension of submission of application requirements for the annual Ateneo Arts Workshop Cebu (ArtsWork Cebu) until January 31. RAFI and AdMU-School of Humanities will hold this year's ArtsWork Cebu on April 22 to 26 at Casa Gorordo Museum, Cebu City.

            The five-day activity is an opportunity for high school students from Cebu to participate in any of the three art workshops:
      a) Creative Writing: The Literary Essay;
      b) Theatre Arts: Basic Acting and Stage Performance; and
      c) Visual Arts: Introduction to Drawing and Painting.Lecturers from AdMu will facilitate the workshops.

            Facilitators of the workshops are Martin Villanueva, a two-time Palanca Awardee and coordinator of AdMu’s Creative Writing Program; Laura Cabochan, a young theatre actress and moderator of the Ateneo Blue Repertory; and Jason Moss, a contemporary visual artist and a lecturer for the Industrial Design program at AdMU. Since 2010, young artists from both private and public high schools have joined the workshops. Its aim is to make the participants discover their artistic potential and develop self-confidence.

            A minimal fee of PhP 500 serves as registration fee. The fee will be collected on the first day of the workshop. Application requirements include a filled-out application form; a letter of recommendation from the principal, which states the applicant’s artistic ability, character, leadership skills, and academic standing; and a sample of the student's artistic work (for Creative Writing and Visual Arts).

            Applicants can get a copy of the ArtsWork Cebu 2013 application form and a sample recommendation letter from their school principal or director. The organizers sent copies to over 40 schools in Metro Cebu and key cities in Central Visayas. The requirements can be sent to Casa Gorordo Museum c/o Maybellane Sanchez, Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc.(RAFI), 35 Lopez Jaena Street, Cebu City.

            The collaboration between RAFI and AdMU-School of Humanities is based on a shared mission that educating the next generation about the arts and fostering their creative ideas is essential for nation building.

For more information about ArtsWork Cebu, please call 418-7234 local 703 and look for KarI Hegel Damayo, or visit www.rafi.org or www.facebook.com/rafi.org.ph.

So what are you waiting for my dear young artists out there, come and join ArtsWork Cebu 2013 to level-up your skills... ^_^

Dig Deeper »