Cebu has the biggest number of watchtowers in the country. The remnants of these watchtowers can still be seen up to today and have become one of the tourist spots of these towns. In southeastern Cebu, a network of watchtowers was built by Fray Julian Bermejo, who was the parish priest of Boljoon in the late 19th century. These watchtowers complemented the protection offered by the churches built by the Spaniards.
The Obong watchtower in Dalaguete is the watchtower guarding this southern town during the Spanish era. It was built in the 17th century and served as a lookout and place of refuge against Moro raiders in the past. It was also a part of the coastal defense system set up by the Spaniards. The watchtower allows visitors to relive the history of Dalaguete and Cebu as a whole. While it is already just an abandoned structure consisting of coral bricks, it was once a proud watchtower used in monitoring the presence of raiders in the area. It is one of the remnants of the Spanish occupation of the island of Cebu.
You can get to the Obong Watchtower by getting on a bus headed for Dalaguete at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. Just make sure you tell the driver or conductor you want to get off at the Obong Spring, which is located within walking distance from the Obong Watchtower.
Have you visited the Obong watchtower already? Tell us about it on the comments section below.