ROMBLON TRAVEL INFORMATION
Where to Stay in Romblon | Brief History | Romblon Descriptions
Historical and Cultural Attractions | Natural Attractions
Religious and Man-Made Attractions | Festivals and Special Interest Tours
BRIEF HISTORY
 The early aborigines of Romblon were believed to be the Negritos from Panay and the Mangyans from Mindoro. It was in 1582 when the Loarca expeditionists came to the islands and named them collectively as “Lomlon.” A secular clergy administered the province until 1635.
In 1818 Romblon was annexed to the province of Capiz and made into a political and military station. The Americans, who came to rule in 1901, appointed a civil government to run the local affairs. About a century later, in 1917, Romblon became an autonomous province. But it was only in 1947 when this was promulgated by Republic Act. 38.
ROMBLON DESCRIPTIONS
 Recognized as Marble Country of the Philippines, Romblon is famed for its rich marble deposits. Marble, however, is not the province’s only treasure.
Geography
Located almost at the center of the Philippine archipelago, the province of Romblon lies in the Sibuyan Sea. It is composed of three islands: Romblon (main island), Tablas Island, and Sibuyan Island. It has a total land area of 135,690 hectares. It is bounded on the north by the province of Marinduque, on the south by Panay Island, on the east by Masbate, and on the west by Mindoro. From Manila, it is about 187 nautical miles or 169 air miles. Largely mountainous and rugged in terrain, the islands of Romblon are volcanic in origin. The highest peak is 2,057 meters above sea level.
Climate
The climate in Romblon is characterized by seasons that are not very pronounced. November to April is relatively dry and the rest of the year is wet.
Population
According to the National Statistics Office, population as of May 2000 was 264,357, with an annual growth rate of 1.67 percent.
Language / Dialect
The people of Romblon speak a variety of Visayan dialects, notably a mixture of Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Aklanon, and other minor tongues. Tagalog is widely understood, and English stands as the medium of communication in business and trade.
Political Subdivisions
Romblon has 17 municipalities, which are further subdivided into 213 barangays. The main island of Romblon comprises the municipalities of Romblon, Banton, Concepcion, Corcuera, San Jose; Tablas Island comprises Alcantara, Calatrava, Ferrol, Looc, Sta. Fe, San Agustin, San Andres, Odiongan, Sta. Maria; Sibuyan Island comprises Cajidiocan, Magdiwang, San Fernando.
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HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Historical Attractions
St. Joseph Cathedral and Belfry (poblacion, Romblon)
The Recollect fathers built the oldest Roman Catholic church in the province out of limestone and brick in the 15th century. The structure is embellished with rich architectural detail.
Fort San Andres (poblacion, Romblon)
Guarding the hills of San Andres in Romblon town proper, this coral brick structure once served as a lookout point for marauding pirates during the Spanish era. Today, Fort San Andres is being used as a weather station.
Cultural Attractions
Guyangan Caves
Believed to be the burial site of our ancestors and has the oldest depositories of 'Ikat' or 'Banton Burial Cloth' in Southeast Asia . Centuries-old coffins made of hollowed logs were discovered in the caves. Guyangan caves was discovered in 1936 and not after the war. It is located in the island of Banton, Romblon
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NATURAL TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Mt. Guiting-Guiting (Sibuyan, Romblon)
The sheer jagged peaks of Guiting-Guiting rise 2,075 meters above sea level in the middle of Sibuyan Island. Wild and unexplored, the mountains present a challenge to seasoned climbers. Hiring experienced guides is a must. Wild ferns, orchids, and bonsai dot the rugged trails. The summit provides views of the entire island and neighboring Romblon and Marinduque.
 Bonbon Beach (Brgy. Lonos, Romblon)
Stretching for almost 50 meters, this great expanse on the eastern shores of Romblon Island 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.
Tiamban Beach (Brgy. Lonos, Romblon)
Covered with fine white sand, this stretch of beach is narrower than Bonbon but almost as long. It is located due north of Bonbon Beach.
San Jose (San Jose, Romblon)
The coastline of San Jose town harbors some of the most beautiful and isolated beaches in the province. Notable are the ones located in Barangay Lunas and Bignay. Access to the coastal village is limited to bancas. Horses are the major means of transport to visit inland villages.
Mablaran Falls (Linawan, San Andres, Romblon)
Set amidst lush foliage, the waterfall cascades into a 20-foot deep pool of cool, blue-green water. This is one of the most frequented picnic and swimming spots in town, although picnickers are advised to bring their own food and gear.
Santa Fe Trail (Santa Fe, Romblon)
The mountain-zigzag road leading to Santa Fe where one can see the beautiful Tablas Strait, Looc Bay, the neighboring island of Panay, San Jose, and Boracay Islands.
Cobrador Island (Romblon, Romblon)
Cobrador is the largest among the islets dotting the seas around Romblon. It is reputed to hold deposits of rare black, gold, and green marble. The best sweetsop and papaya are also grown here. The other treasures of Cobrador Island are its beaches – the most prominent being the wide expanse of fine white sand for about one kilometer on the eastern side of the islet.
Tinagong Dagat (Brgy. Talisay, Calatrava, Romblon)
Measuring 40 meters in diameter and about seven fathoms at its deepest, this “Hidden Sea” is a circular pool of saltwater barely 10 meters from the sea on the northmost tip of Tablas Island. It is home to several species of saltwater fishes and seashells. The route to Tinagong Dagat traverses a shoreline of sheer cliffs, interesting rock formations, small coves, and a fishing village.
Mainit Falls (Brgy. Patoo, Odiongan)
Earning its name from its warm waters, Mainit Falls is a three-tiered cascade that forms three deep pools ideal for bathing. Visitors are advised to bring their own food, drinking water, and gear as the area is secluded and undeveloped.
Cantingas River (Taclobo, San Fernando, Romblon)
It is a natural swimming pool; the water is crystal-clear, odorless, tasteless, and ever-flowing; one could quench his thirst while swimming. Around four kilometers away from the poblacion, it has a cottage with a conference hall.
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RELIGIOUS AND MAN-MADE TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
Religious Attractions
Bishop’s Palace (Brgy. Lonos, Romblon)
Constructed out of clay bricks by the first Bishop of Romblon, Msgr. Nicolas Mondejar, it serves as the official residence of the Bishop of Romblon.
Man-Made Attractions
San Agustin Park (town proper, San Agustin, Tablas Island)
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.
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FESTIVALS AND SPECIAL
INTEREST TOURS
Festivals
Biniray Festival (January)
Held in early January, the celebration begins with a fluvial parade at sea and ends with merrymaking in the streets of the capital.
Special Interest Tours
Mountain Climbing
Mt. Guiting-Guiting is the highest peak in Romblon. It is considered to be among the more formidable mountains in the country. Rising a little more than 6,000 feet above sea level, its rugged terrain presents a challenge, which lures mountaineers to scale its peak. This mountain straddles the towns of Magdiwang, San Fernando, and Cajidiocan in the island of Sibuyan. From the ports of San Agustin or Romblon, board the ferry bound for the town of Magdiwang, the jump-off point. Once in Magdiwang, inform the Mayor’s Office of your climb. The office provides assistance to climbers.
Sightseeing
Make a circling tour covering the historic Fort San Andres, the beaches of Look and Odungan, a fisherman’s boat ride to Sta Fe, a swim at the pebbled beaches of Alcantara, and the capital island where a sweeping view of the province from the hilly terrains may be had. Include a trip to San Agustin where one can view the seven-tiered falls of Dubduban-bita and an observation cruise off the shore of Tablas in Calatrava. Here, take a spellbinding look at the menancing big boulders of Romblon, looking like titans from out of the deep, which guard the entrance to the bay.
Swimming
Swimming is fun at Romblon, particularly along the foamy beachwaters of Logbon with its powdery white sands, and the beaches of Cobrador Island and Alad.
Diving
Diving enthusiats will find the underwater of Calagunsao Beach in Alcantara as well as the ocean floor of San Jose a storehouse of experience. Here, the big black boulders common only in Romblon surround the coastline of the province, like mighty walls of a medieval port.
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Where to Stay in Romblon | Brief History | Romblon Descriptions
Historical and Cultural Attractions | Natural Attractions
Religious and Man-Made Attractions | Festivals and Special Interest Tours
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