The church now a shell after the fire as seen from one of the belfry’s window.

View from the altar. On 26 March 08, an 8 hour fire gutted the more than a century old kumbento (parish house) and church of Oslob in Cebu. What was left were the thick stone walls and belfry as well as an icon of the parish patron. This is my tribute to this beautiful and historic church with photos taken in 2005, 2006 and 2008. This is the 8th installment of a series.

It was a very disheartening experience to see what was left of the beautiful church of Oslob that I visited a week after the fire. I am not a parishioner there but I felt the anguish, the hurt and pain that the townspeople had. Seeing its roofless shell, I cannot help but become teary eyed at the sight. Sayang! I had fond memories of visiting this church a few years ago. Climbing its belfry and roof to get some of the shots shown in the previous posts. Marveling at the simplicity of its architecture and pondering about its history.

I’m hopeful also that the people of Oslob will be able to bring it back just as what they did after the fire of 1955. And I hope to be there once it will rise back again.

To know the extent of the destruction the fire has wreaked on this church, check the previous posts and compare these with the ones shown below.

Estan Cabigas is a multiawarded blogger and freelance photographer based in Makati City, the Philippines. A true blue Cebuano, he makes stunning images and meaningful photo stories. He has writtten for CNN Go and his photograph will be published in the May 2010 issue of the National Geographic Magazine.

To know more about him and his photography, visit estancabigas.com.

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