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Oslob

Oslob is a 4th class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2000 census, it has a population of 22,472 people in 4,607 households.

[edit] Barangays
Oslob is politically subdivided into 21 barangays.

Alo
Bangcogon
Bonbon
Calumpang
Canangca-an
Cañang
Can-ukban
Cansalo-ay
Daanlungsod
Gawi
Hagdan
Lagunde
Looc
Luka
Mainit
Manlum
Nueva Caceres
Poblacion
Pungtod
Tan-awan
Tumalog

History

Name
Long time ago, there was a popular place in town called “Bolocboloc”. The place was called Bolocbol because of its existing spring located beneath the shoreline at the foot of the barangay. The flow of the water was so strong as if the water was boiling which can still be seen at this present time. At present, the place is now known as Nigad (a name of a tree). The place is named Nigad because of the existing tree that grew in the place which is seldom seen to grow in the shoreline. From the name Nigad the word “Oslob” was born due to the misunderstandings between the native couple and the two guardia civil (civil guards) in the year 1785. While the said couple were taking a rest under the tree and were eating their brought boiled bananas soaking it with vinegar and salt, the two guardia civil suddenly appeared with the words, as if they were asking: “Como se llama esto pueblo?” – which if translated in English would mean:”What is the name of this town?”. The couple were astonished for they were not able to comprehend what the civil guards were saying. Since, the couple, at that time, were then soaking bananas with the vinegar and salt, they thought that the civil guards were asking them as to what they were doing, and thus, the couple answered in unison saying ”Toslob”, which means “soaking”. After hearing the word “Toslob”, the civil guards kept on repeating the word “Toslob” in the thought that the said word was the name of the town. This has been the start of the word “Toslob” which was later changed to “Oslob” due to the passes of time. Until now, the flowing of the water at Nigad was still there quenching the thirst of the many people of the place including the nearby inhabitants specially when there is a shortage of water.

Church:Parish of the Immaculate Concepcion
Oslob was established as a visita of Boljoon in 1690 and became an independent parish in 1848 with the Immaculate Conception as its patroness. The present day church of cut coral stone was built by Fr. Julian Bermejo in May 4, 1830 following the plans of Cebu Bishop Santos Gomez Marañon and was finished 18 years later. The buttresses that would later on form part of this very massive church were added by Fr. Juan Aragones between 1848 and 1850. The church was gutted in 1955 but was eventually restored.

The entire church complex is surrounded by a stone wall. At the southeastern portion of the complex are the unfinished remains of a military barracks. Outside the walls are the remains of a watchtower, one of the many that line the southeastern coast of the Cebu.

The church is connected to the parish house or convento that still has its original clay-tiled roof. Across the church is the former mortuary chapel with a pediment decorated with a relief of a human skeleton. North of the complex is a small road that leads to the old cemetery.

Culture

[e Vocabulary and Dialect
Oslob's trademark is usuall its unique way of speaking. The main cebuano dialect usually omits the "l", like "kalayo" to "kayo" and "hulog" to "hug", but with the words used in Oslob, the "l" is ironically exaggerated. Some words in Oslob's vocabulary also differ from the main cebuano language. There are words like "banga", "igang", "kaaro", "inay", "timo", "salan", and many more, which means "are you sure?", "warm atmosphere", "not really sure on action done", "don't know", "snack", and "what?" respectively.

Sadsadayon Festival
Oslob also has its annual Sadsad Festival. It is celebrated every year during the town annual fiesta. It is a dance festival wherein the barangays of Oslob come up with a dance to compete for a prize and for the sake of offering it to their patronness.
Sadsad Festival 2007

History
The word "sadsad",in the local dialect, means dance. This is where the Sadsad festival got its name. The Sadsad festival is held in honor of the patroness, the Immaculate Concepcion. It was started in Barangay Poblacion but was later elevated as the town festival when the barangay captain became the mayor of the town.
It was originally in honor of barangay Poblacion's patron saint, San Roque, that was honored by the said festivity. When Brgy. Poblacion's barangay captain became Mayor of the town, he elevated the barangay festival inot the official town festival and changes its celebration from March (San Roque's feast day) to December (Immaculate Concepcion's feast day).
This year, the Festival's name was changed from Sadsad Festival to Sadsadayon Festival. It comes from the two segments, Sadsad and dayon. Sadsad, which means dance, has been retained. Dayon came from two visayan words, "dayon" and "padayon". Dayon, meaning welcome, was used because Oslobanons are known fr their hospitality and is always shown during their annual town fiesta through dance. Padayon, meaning continue, was used because Oslobanaons are supposed to continue their traditions in rejoicing every after victory and to continue the good values which they have. Thus, this year, the Sadsad Festival was renamed Sadsadayon Festival.

Origin
Another twist to this year's festival is the making of the Sadsadayon official steps. It was discovered lately that a dance was danced by the early Oslobanons when they were triumphant in fighting against the Moro invaders during the Spanish regime. One evidence of Moro invasion in Oslob is the Baluarte, or commonly called "Bantayan sa Hari" wherein it was constructed to guard for the coming of Moro invaders and still stand today.

The Sadsadayon steps consist four kinds of steps which are: "labyug", "hagwa", "agni", and "pasalamat". These steps were discovered to be used by the early Oslobanons when they rejoiced after defeating the Moro invaders.

Another story involves the same dance but in a different location, the Sumilon island. Since the island is far down south of Cebu, it was used as a watch-point for the Spaniards. And since the Moros, or Muslims, came from Mindanao, the Sumilon island saw everything that would be coming from the south. The island came to be a battleground of the ancient Moro wariors and the early Oslobanons. Every after victory, the Oslobanons would then rejoice with the dance.

Despite not being famous to lots of people, Oslob has lots of things to offer including tourist spots, food, and activities.

Tourist Spots
Oslob Parish Church - One of the oldest churches in Cebu. Has been already in place for 160 years already. Located in Barangay Poblacion.
Mainit spring - A spring that would let you relax and have a good rest with its rich sulfuric water. Located in Barangay Mainit
Cuartel - Ruins of the ancient barracks located right in front of the Oslob Parish Church. Located in Barangay Poblacion.
Baluarte - Ruins of an ancient watchtower. Located within the vicinity of the Cuartel area in Barangay Poblacion.
Barangay Daanlungsod Area - An ancient "walled area" located in Barangay Dannlungsod.
Sumilon Island - An isalnd with its beautiful scenic spots and sand bar. Located in Barangay Bangcogon/Tan-awan
Calle Aragones - the oldest street in Oslob, located beside the church

Other Stuff
Sadsad/Sadsadayon Festival - celebrated every year during the town's annual fiesta celebration
Podreda - an Oslobanon delicacy which looks like a flower with coconut in the center, and really tastes delicious
Oslob seashore - the Oslob seashore boasts of its cool seabreeze especially during afternoons. The Oslob sea area is really a very nice place to tkae a rest.