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)

• Alcantara
• Banton
• Cajidiocan
• Calatrava
• Concepcion
• Corcuera
• Ferrol
• Looc
• Magdiwang
• Odiongan
• Romblon
• San Agustin
• San Andres
• San Fernando
• San Jose
• Santa Fe
• Santa Maria
  

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.

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