The Vicariate of Southern Cebu

(last of nine parts)

This nine-part series article is taken from the 1877 book of Father Felipe Redondo entitled "A Brief Survey of what was and what is the Diocese of Cebu in the Philippine Islands". The book was in Spanish and was translated into English by Azucena L. Pace in 2014.

"OSLOB.

Erected under the patronage of the Immaculate Concepcion of Our Lady of Diocesan decree on January 8, 1848 through Superior approval of September 18, 1847; it was a visita of Boljoon. -Church: of cut coral stone and lime mortar masonry, with transept, organ; has tile roofing; it is 35 fathoms long, 7½ fathoms wide and 9 fathoms high (until the ridge). Bell tower: of cut coral stone and lime mortar masonry, with a total elevation of 16½ fathoms (it has three bodies); the first body has an octagonal-shaped Baptistery, measures 4 fathoms wide inside. -Cemetery: made of cut coral stone and lime mortar masonry, with pilaretes which support the wooden lattice, it is 42½ fathoms long and 26½ fathoms wide; it has a chapel of cut coral stone and lime mortar masonry 5 fathoms long and 7½ fathoms wide in the transept. -Rectory: made of hardwood posts with a cut coral stone fabric of lime mortar masonry in the lower part and, in the upper one it is made of tabique pampango, 16 fathoms long, 9 fathoms of escuala and 7 fathoms wide (has tile roofing). -Annexes: it has a Church (under the patronage of San Gabriel Arcangel), made of cota in the lower part or base, 2 fathoms high, and the rest made of tabique pampango, measures 22 fathoms long, 5 fathoms wide and 4 fathoms high; each cross-vault is 3½ fathoms wide, has nipa roofing. Cemetery: enclosed by stakes. -Rectory: 9 fathoms long, 7 fathoms escuala, 4 fathoms wide, and 3½ fathoms high, with nipa roofing. -The town of Oslob is situated on the shore at the tip of southern coast of the Island of Cebu; it is bounded on the west by the town of San Sebastian which, through Tañon (Strait) is some 4 to 5 leagues away of difficult road; on the east, by the islands of Panglao and Siquijor in the south by Dumaguete, 5 to 6 hours crossing on the northeast by the town of Nueva Caceres."

Oslob's original settlement site was a place called Bolocboloc, now called the Daang Lungsod. Its first parish priest was Fr. Juan J. Aragoneo. The following served as the town's chief executive: Melito Rendon, Juan Luna, Ireneo Rendon, Macario Culanag, Ramon Rendon, Policarpio Ondiano, Mariano Rendon, Mamerto Mision, and Jose Tumulak.