History buffs will likely enjoy a trip to the southern part of Cebu. The towns to the south of the Queen City of the South show much of the Spanish influence in the island. These towns have a number of structures built during the Spanish period, each with its own story to tell. One of these structures is the Municipio of the southern town of Dalaguete.
Municipio of Dalaguete – image source: tripmondo.com
Dalaguete
The Municipality of Dalaguete is located in the southern part of Cebu. The name of the town comes from the dalaket or dalakit tree, which is one of the landmarks of the town. The natives once considered the tree as the home of diwatas or spirits who can cause misfortune to anyone who does not care for it. On the other hand, the spirits can also give good fortune to people who take care of the tree. The tree features intertwining roots when it is fully grown. It also features caverns big enough for people to enter.
The Municipality of Dalaguete is located in the southern part of Cebu. The name of the town comes from the dalaket or dalakit tree, which is one of the landmarks of the town. The natives once considered the tree as the home of diwatas or spirits who can cause misfortune to anyone who does not care for it. On the other hand, the spirits can also give good fortune to people who take care of the tree. The tree features intertwining roots when it is fully grown. It also features caverns big enough for people to enter.
Municipio of Dalaguete – image source: tripmondo.com
Municipio of Dalaguete
The Municipio or Casa Real was supposedly built in 1832 and served as the seat of government for the Spaniards. It was originally L-shaped and featured a symmetrical façade. The roof as also made of clay tiles while coral stones were used for the walls. Galvanized metal sheets later replaced the clay tiles on the roof after a period of time. A canopy was also added along the main entrance of the Municipio.
The Municipio or Casa Real was supposedly built in 1832 and served as the seat of government for the Spaniards. It was originally L-shaped and featured a symmetrical façade. The roof as also made of clay tiles while coral stones were used for the walls. Galvanized metal sheets later replaced the clay tiles on the roof after a period of time. A canopy was also added along the main entrance of the Municipio.
Municipio of Dalaguete – image source: skyscrapercity.com
Filipino rebels attacked the Municipio during the 1898 Philippine Revolution. While occupying the structure, some important documents were lost. Soon after, the Spaniards were able to recapture the Municipio and execute the rebels. Due to the execution, Fr. Ruperto Sarmiento, the first Filipino parish priest of San Guillermo Parish, along with some natives regrouped in the hillsides of the town and armed themselves in preparation for a counterattack against the Spaniards. But, the arrival of the Americans prompted the group to disband. The Municipio also served as the seat of the civil government and the Japanese Constabulary during the Second World War. During this time, the structure had a prison cell at the back where guerillas were held.
Municipio of Dalaguete – image source: mikelaagan.com
The Municipio currently houses a museum where history lovers can have their fill of facts about the town of Dalaguete. The Museo sa Dalaguete is situated on the second floor of this historically significant structure.
Municipio of Dalaguete – image source: skyscrapercity.com
Other Historical Sites
Aside from the Municipio, Dalaguete also offers a number of other places tourists can visit while they are in this southern Cebu town. These places include the Obong watchtower, the Obong Spring, the Cristo Rey Monument, and the Poblacion watchtower, among others. You may also want to hike up to the Osmena Peak where you can see Bohol island on one side and Negros island on the other.
Aside from the Municipio, Dalaguete also offers a number of other places tourists can visit while they are in this southern Cebu town. These places include the Obong watchtower, the Obong Spring, the Cristo Rey Monument, and the Poblacion watchtower, among others. You may also want to hike up to the Osmena Peak where you can see Bohol island on one side and Negros island on the other.
Osmena Peak in Dalaguete – image source: Dalaguete Facebook Page
Getting to Dalaguete
Your journey to the Municipio of Dalaguete starts at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. You can get on a bus marked Bato/Oslob and tell the driver that you want to get off at the Municipio of Dalaguete.
Your journey to the Municipio of Dalaguete starts at the Cebu South Bus Terminal. You can get on a bus marked Bato/Oslob and tell the driver that you want to get off at the Municipio of Dalaguete.
There is more to Dalaguete than being the Vegetable Basket of Cebu. It is a town that can pique the interest of any history or culture buff. One of these places they can visit is the Municipio or Casa Real, which has been a silent witness to different events in the history of Dalaguete.
Have you visited the Municipio of Dalaguete already? Tell us about your experience on the comments section below.
Have you visited the Municipio of Dalaguete already? Tell us about your experience on the comments section below.
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