Today, I decided to walk down the historical plaza of Oslob which they commonly call Cuartel Oslob.
When I first visited the place in 2018, I used to wonder why they called it Cuartel. This word had been etched in my mind and my wondersome thoughts about the place still remained.
Some say the place was one of the most visited spots here in Oslob and some would say it was historical and that's just it. I wasn't able to know the real history of the place as to why it was historical and why the walls of Cuartel were built that way.
Until today, I roamed around the place and read some of the historical background that were sculpted in some of its walls and under the white statue of a priest facing the ocean.
CUARTEL
Cuartel is a Spanish term for barracks which are commonly used and habitated by soldiers.
According to the commemorative plaque mounted on the wall, the coral stones used for its construction came from remnants of the collapsed floor of the Church Bell Tower and the unique structure of the building was built through the effort of El Gran Maestro Don Marcos Sabandal to serve as barracks for Spanish armies but was halted during the arrival of Americans in 1899.
No wonder how the building looked completely undone but it still looked gorgeous with all its imperfections. It was as though it was meant to be unfinished yet strikingly beautiful.
This is the interior part of the cuartel and look how spectacular it is to the eyes. This place had been tested by time, a lot of strong typhoons had already passed in this area but still, its abiding beauty remained the same -- only this time it became more and more stunning.
I love how they preserved the original color of the old stones that marked its age and novelty.
THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION PARISH CHURCH OF OSLOB
In front of the Cuartel is the Parish Church of Oslob which was built by Fr. Julian Bermejo in the 1830s.
Behind the church in the point of view of this photo, the immensely dazzling view of the mountains of Oslob can be seen and as the rays of the sun that slowly sets to the west strike through its peaks, it could never be more astonishing.
This church had withstood tall for a century and seven decades already amidst all the calamities and inevitable circumstances that came its way. It had served the people for several years and became the refuge of the locales who longed to replenish and conserve their spiritual faculties.
MUSEO OSLOB
There was also a museum located near the Cuartel still facing the ocean, however, the museum had long been closed due to some reasons. Looking through the exterior structure of the building, it was built decades ago but not as old as the cuartel since its brick walls didn't have the same texture and age compared to the walls of the church and the unfinished barracks of the soldiers during the Spanish invasion here in the Philippines.
SOCIAL HALL
In the middle of this heritage park, there was a social hall wherein some social gatherings from the locales were being held. Sometimes, during nighttime or late afternoons, some men and women gather here for a zumba session. This is just the perfect place for exercising as you can breathe fresh air from the trees around it and the sea beside it.
STATUE OF FR. JULIAN BERMEJO
Inside this heritage park as well was the statue of Fr. Julian Bermejo who was hailed by Cebuanos as "El Parroco Capitan" who became responsible in devising a strong and effective coastal defense system (Baluartes) that served as lookout stations in detecting the coming of Moropirate Ships.
The statue was facing the ocean as though it was a symbolism of his courageous act in protecting his fellow Cebuanos from the attack of the pirates. It was also mentioned in the historical marker that he fought several wars during his time which made him become a hero of the town.
OCEAN VIEW
This is one of my most favorite spots in this very place -- THE OCEAN VIEW.
Whenever I sit on the ground of this park and watch the line where the sky meets the sea from afar, I felt like I was in a different place. This may sound too cliché but do you know the feeling when you were just near where you lived but you felt like you were in a different place? It's not that the place you lived isn't beautiful but there were just some places that makes you feel strange -- yet wonderful.
Because that is exactly how I feel with this place. I felt like I was not in Cebu. It doesn't mean Cebu couldn't be beautiful but it just feels strange and makes me smile thinking there is a lot of beauty my province really has to offer.
MY HAPPY ENDING
The sun was near to setting so I headed down to the food stalls near the park and the only snack I was always craving for while I was on my way here was this sweet corn brushed with butter and cheese powder. This has been my ultimate favorite.
While I was eating, I was chitchatting with the sweet corn vendor, he took a picture of me with his food cart and just talked about random stuff just to kill time and in order for me to finish my food.
Fun fact: Sometimes I love talking to strangers especially the sidewalk vendors because they've got a lot of wonderful stories to tell and somehow I can also learn from them.
Guess that would be all for my short walk through the Cuartel in Oslob. Hope you enjoyed it because I, too, really do.