From Aaron's Beach Resort, we negotiated 3 motorcycles to be our service vehicle for 500/each. The plan for the afternoon is to visit the following places for the rest of the day; Tumalog Falls, The Oslob and the Boljoon leg of the Southern Cebu Historical Trail, and Tingko Beach in Alcoy.
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| The Immaculate Conception Parish Church |
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| The sea right next to the park |
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| The entrance to the museum |
The next structure that can be found in the park is the Cuartel. The Cuartel is supposed to be a Spanish barracks but was not finished. It's remains with it's thick walls now lay right next to the museum.
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| The plaque at the Cuartel |
The next structure that can be found on the park is the Immaculate Conception Parish Church. To give a brief history with one of the oldest Spanish colonial era church in Cebu, it's construction began in 1830 by Fr Bermejo and was completed in 1847.
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| The church bell tower |
The last structure is the remains of the Baluarte or watchtower. It was built back in 1788 with the main purpose of defense against the Moro raiders of the past. There 6 other watchtowers along the Oslob coastline.
The statue at the front of Baluarte is of Fr Julian Bermejo who was responsible for the plan of the Balaurte as a defense system from the Moro raiders. After buying from a fishball vendor in front of the church, we are now back in our habal-habal to go to our next leg of the South Cebu heritage trail at Boljoon.
Upon arriving at the Boljoon Plaza, it is the church of Nuestra Senora de Patrocinio that will welcome you. The church was build in 1783 by Fr. Ambrosio Ostero which was continued by Fr. Manuel Cordero in 1794 and then finished by Fr. Julian Bermejo. The church is declared by the National Historic Institute as a National Historical Landmark and then declared as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum the following year.
The walls are as thick as the pillars which are two meters thick and made of mortar and lime. The interior is decorated beautifully. It has a main nave, a transcript, and twenty-eight pillars which support the walls.
While walking around the plaze, we encountered a structured called Escuela Catolica. It was used before as a school for religious teachings.
Another significant structure in the plaza is what they call Dakong Balay or blockhouse which was also built by Fr. Jullian Bermejo. The blockhouse is a 120 x 80 meters structure on which artillery was mounted before as protection from the Moro. Now it just stands as a belltower with Rizal Park below it.
Boljoon is rich with old houses and we don't have enough time as we still have to go to Alcoy for the last leg of our tour. Before leaving we bought some kakanin from an old lady for P7 each.
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| On the way to Alcoy, Ili Rock on the left side |
The waves are not that strong and there are parts of the beach with seaweed on it. We were approached by a boatman who offered 'island hopping' for P50/person but we denied because there is not enough time. There are stores, restaurants and accomodations on the other side of the highway so you don't need to worry if you forgot something.
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| Lots of tiny fish in Tingko Beach |
MAIN: EXPLORING SOUTHERN CEBU
DAY 1
- Mantayupan Falls - The Tallest Waterfall In Cebu
- Moalboal Backpacker Lodge
- Refreshing Kawasan Falls Of Badian, Cebu
- Moalboal x Pescador Island x Chasing Dolphins
DAY 2
Cebu truly offers a diverse blend of natural beauty and rich cultural heritage that appeals to all travelers seeking a destination brimming with wonders. From the pristine beaches with crystal-clear waters to the ancient churches steeped in history, Cebu has it all. Whether you're lounging under the sun on its idyllic shores or marveling at the intricate architecture of its old churches, Cebu promises an unforgettable experience that will leave you captivated. Come and immerse yourself in the charm and allure of Cebu, a place that promises to enchant and delight every visitor who sets foot on its shores.
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