Legarda praises Oslob town

CEBU, Philippines - The municipality of Oslob, Cebu will gain national recognition through Senator Loren Legarda, who attended the inauguration of the town's museum during its 4th Heritage Week recently.

Legarda, author of the Heritage Act, plans to mention Oslob in her upcoming privilege speech in the Senate to share how Oslob values and preserves its culture and heritage.

"Let it be a model for the whole country," said Legarda, impressed at the Cebu Provincial Government's efforts to preserve culture and heritage.

Last Saturday, Oslob closed its 4th Heritage Week by inaugurating its museum called the "Herencia: Heirlooms and Other Treasures of Old Oslob."

Located at the back of the ancient cuartel, the 110-square meter museum used to be a dormitory and was enhanced by the Province of Cebu, which spent P875, 000. The museum displays different household antiques and is designed like a walk-through house with a living room, bedroom and kitchen.

During the inauguration, Legarda and Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia unveiled four other heritage markers.

These markers were Calle Aragones, the oldest street in Oslob, which was named after the parish priest, Fr. Jose Aragones of the Spanish era; the Immaculate Conception Parish Church, which officially became an independent parish on January 8, 1847; the Church Walls and Gates, which were constructed in 1875 to serve as one of the defense frontlines of the complex against the Moro Marauders; and the statue of Fr. Julian Bermejo who was hailed by Cebuanos as "El Parroco Capitan" for his courage and military prowess and for initiating the construction of the Immaculate Conception Parish Church.

The senator is happy that Cebu is always at the forefront in cultural preservation, environmental protection and micro-small business upliftment.

"Una palagi ang Cebu. Ang galing galing, (Cebu is always first. It's great.)" Legarda said, as she promised to share Cebu's efforts in preserving heritage and will encourage other towns in the country to make Cebu as model for this preservation. –(FREEMAN)