Romblon – Marble Country of the Philippines
The archipelagic province of Romblon is composed of 50 islands and 108 islets, 31 of which are named. The three major islands of the province are Tablas, Sibuyan, and Romblon. The island of Romblon is filled with large deposits of export-quality marble, said to be comparable to those found in Italy.
But Romblon is more than marble. The province is also blessed with natural wonders like white sand beaches, dive sites, and mountains that are yet to be explored and exposed to the public.
Demographics
1. Population –
279, 774 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area – 1,533.5 sq. km
3. Capital – Romblon
4. Language/Dialect – Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Aklanon,
English, and Filipino
5. Divisions
Cities (0)
Municipalities (17)
Famous For ...
Marble
The province is known for its massive marble deposits.
Rare black, gold, and green marble deposits can be found
in Cobrador Island. Experts say that marbles deposits
from Romblon are the only one in Southeast Asia that
has commercial value and is comparable to Italian marbles.
Mt. Guiting-Guiting
It is considered as one of the most formidable mountains
in the Philippines. Towering at 6,000 feet above sea
level, it has become a challenge to any seasoned climber
to take on Mt. Guiting-Guiting.
St. Joseph
Cathedral and Belfry
It is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the province.
Built during the 15th century, Recollect friars constructed
the cathedral using limestone and brick.
Biniray Festival
Biniray is celebrated in honor of Santo Nino, the image
of the Holy Child Jesus. During the festival, locals
dress up in colorful costumes and dance on the streets
of Romblon.
Cultural
Guyangan
Cave
Location: Banton, Banton Island, Romblon
Discovered in 1936, archaeologists found here the oldest
depositories of 'Ikat' or 'Banton Burial Cloth' in Southeast
Asia. The cave also served as burial sites for aborigines
of Romblon.
The Museum
of Treasure
Location: Banton, Banton Island, Romblon
The ‘Ikat’ or Banton Burial Cloth along
with the hollowed wood coffins found in Guyangan Cave
are found here.
Ugat-Faigao
Museum
Location: Banton, Banton Island, Romblon
The museum is actually an ancestral house and is one
of the oldest in the province. This was the residence
of Rufo Faigao, the first Municipal President of Banton,
and Cornelio Faigao, a well-known Bantoanon poet.
Historical
Fort San
Andres and Santiago
Location: Poblacion, Romblon Island, Romblon, Romblon
Twin Spanish forts constructed out of coral blocks and
bricks between 1644 and 1573, which overlook the whole
town and harbor at 156 ft. above sea level. These served
as a bastion to protect the people against Moro raiders
and Dutch pirates.
Fort San
Nicolas
Location: Banton, Banton Island, Romblon
It is one of the oldest bastions of Christianity in
Romblon. The fort, built by the Recollect friar Fr.
Agustin San Pedro, otherwise known as El Padre Capitan,
in 1621. The fort served as the first line of defense
against Moro raids.
Man-Made
Romblon
Harbor
Location: Romblon Island, Romblon, Romblon
It offers a perfect shelter for sea vessels since Spanish
times. Lying off the bay is a sunken galleon and the
wreck of a Japanese battleship.
San Agustin
Park
Location: Town Proper, San Agustin, Tablas Island, Romblon
San Agustin is a sprawling hectare of greens by the
bay. It offers an undisturbed view of ships passing
through Romblon Pass and, on clear days, a view of the
islands of Romblon and Sibuyan.
Natural
Mt. Guiting-Guiting
Location: Sibuyan Island, Romblon
The word 'guiting-guiting' in the local dialect means
'jagged'. This saw-tooth shaped mountain has an elevation
of 6,380 feet above sea level. Wild ferns, orchids,
and bonsai dot the rugged trails. The summit provides
views of the entire island and neighboring Romblon and
the nearby province of Marinduque.
Talipasak
Beach Resort
Location: Brgy. Ginablan, Romblon Island, Romblon, Romblon
Located 13 kilometers from the town proper, it offers
a quiet and restful place for tourists. Activities include
swimming, snorkeling, beach combing, and island hopping.
Bonbon Beach
Location: Brgy. Lonos, Romblon Island, Romblon, Romblon
Stretching for almost 50 meters, Bonbon boasts of fine
white sand and a gradually sloping ocean floor. Right
across the beach is a small islet accessible by foot
at low tide. The islet has a secluded swimming area
on a short stretch of fine white sand.
Cobrador
Beach
Location: Brgy. Cobrador, Cobrador Island, Romblon,
Romblon
This is located in the eastern side of the islet and
has fine white sand and crushed corrals. The best sweetsop
and papaya are also grown in the island.
Tinagong
Dagat (Hidden Sea)
Location: Calatrava, Tablas Island, Romblon
This circular inland body of salty water about 10 meters
from the sea. It defies the law of gravity for it rises
when the tide is low and subsides during high tide.
It is home to several species of saltwater fishes and
seashells
Mainit Falls
Location: Brgy. Pato-o, Odiongan, Tablas Island, Romblon
It is a three-tiered waterfall that forms three deep
pools ideal for bathing. The whole area is surrounded
by lush greenery.
Tuburan
Falls
Location: Brgy. Tuburan, Odiongan, Tablas Island, Romblon
A natural resort with seven major and minor waterfalls,
where limestone caves penetrate four rock walls. The
cave near the falls is believed to be leading to "Cayatong",
the land of fairies.
Cantingas
River
Location: Brgy. Taclobo, San Fernando, Sibuyan Island,
Romblon
This river is a natural swimming pool with a crystal
water that is odorless and tasteless. Its ever-flowing
cold water could quench a tourist's thirst while swimming.
It has a cottage with a conference hall.
Religious
St. Joseph
Cathedral and Belfry
Location: Poblacion, Romblon Island, Romblon, Romblon
It is the oldest Roman Catholic church in the province.
The campanile was constructed between 1640 and 1726
and still contains the old copper bell. It was built
by Recollect Fathers, together with talented artisans.
It is a structure embellished with rich architectural
details.
Villa del
Mar (Bishop's Palace)
Location: Brgy. Lonos, Romblon Island, Romblon, Romblon
It is the official residence of the Bishop of Romblon.
It was constructed out of clay bricks by the first Bishop
of Romblon. Msgr. Nocolas Mondejar
Trangkalan
Grotto and an Icon of 14 Stations of the Cross
Location:Brgy. Bachawan, San Agustin, Tablas Island,
Romblon
The place offers a tranquil atmosphere for the religious
and a cascading falls to refresh the picnickers.
Biniray
Festival
Place: Romblon
Date: January 9
The fiesta is highlighted by a flotilla of vessels that
circle Romblon Bay seven times, marking the Spanish
galleon's fruitless attempts to remove the Santo Nino
from the province. This is followed by a colorful parade
of marchers adorned with flowers and brightly painted
costumes and faces.
By land-sea:
Ride a bus bound for Batangas Pier. Then, ride
a ferry boat bound for Odiongan Port. Travel time
from Batangas Pier is 8-10 hours.
By Air:
Regular flights depart from Manila Domestic Airport
every Monday, Thrusday, and Saturday to Tugdan
Domestic Airport in Alcantara.