My Iligan


Wednesday, March 18, 2009

romancing the fire

What is now Daan Lungsod was the original site of Oslob. It was a favorite waterhole of both natives and travellers alike for its fresh waters were cooled by the huge branches of a nigad tree. The Castilian took it as the name of the place. The churches of Oslob, Boljoon, Dalaguete and Argao were part of a defense system against Muslim invaders. They were not just churches. The tower and cemetery were built by Fr. Mauricio Alvarez. He also built the municipal tribunal and municipal church.

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 was 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.


Samantha and Mr. Tigger said...

Thanks for sharing!! We love learning about new places!
Your FL furiends,

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