Explore the Town of Oslob

According to the story passed through generations, a couple was resting under the tree, eating boiled bananas while dipping it in vinegar and salt. Spanish guards then suddenly showed up asking, “Como se llama esto pueblo?” or “What is the name of this town?” when translated in English.

The couple, not knowing the Spanish language, misunderstood the question and presuming that the guards were asking on what they are doing, they answered, “toslob” or “dipping” the bananas into the vinegar and salt.

After hearing the word, the guards kept on repeating the word and eventually listed it down as the name of the town. As time passed by, the “t” was dropped, making it Oslob, the current name of the place.

It's about 4 hours from Cebu City.

The Church of the Nuestra Senora de la Inmaculada Concepcion established in 1849 was Romanesque in style.  The tower was supposed to be a four-storey but the construction was stopped because of a storm and earthquake.  The church got damaged by a fire in 1955. However, the fire of 26 March 2008 razed the antique convento and the church's interior was also badly damaged with the roof collapsing.

The Spanish-era Cuartel Ruins (made of coral stones) was built to serve as barracks for Spanish armies but was stopped when the Americans arrived in 1899.

The town is also rich in natural spring waters.

This is the unique Banay-Banay Falls.

It has a natural pool at its base.  For some reason, limestone had somehow coated the base of it, and as the light shines through the lush greenery, it gives the water an emerald color.

Before you reach the Banay-Banay Falls, you will see this road.

It doesn't look like it will lead you to somewhere worth-looking at.

But just go on a little further...

and you will see a glimpse of where

the Banay-Banay Falls actually falls down (^_^)

Walk on a little further down the hill...

and through those trees... and streams...

... and you will be mesmerized with its glorious beauty...

Words are not enough, and photos do not give any justice at all...

You have to go there... see it... feel it yourself... and you will know what I mean...

The sleepy town of Brgy. Tan-awan, Oslob was awakened

when locals saw the arrival of the gentle whale sharks

last September 2011...

You have to pay some fees to get close to it.

Yellow ticket is for kids. Blue and white for foreigners.

Pink and green for Pinoys.

As soon as I jumped in the water, I started to take pictures

of the nearest butandings.  There were 14 of them that day!!!

Little did I know that water started to seep in the waterproof

camera pack... I felt sorry for the camera and myself for not

being able to document everything I have seen...

This is the only decent shot I got. Check out the size of the

shark compared to those 2 not-so-small fishes underneath it.

Just a short distance from where you can see the sharks,

you will see the island of Sumilon which is still part of Oslob.

For weekdays, you pay P 1 500/pax for a day-tour at the Sumilon Bluewaters Resort.
Weekend tour rate is P 2000/ pax.

Buffet lunch is included in their rates (minimum of 20 pax).

Individual meals will be served if visitors for the day 

does not reach 20.

The resort has seen its better days though.

However, there are still some interesting points

which nature lovers would love to see...

The lagoon area is where you can fish, kayak, and see some birds.

You can trek around the island for about an hour or two...

or simply climb up the rocketship-looking lighthouse...

... and check out the breathtaking views from up there...