Destination Less Traveled: Romblon

Bracketed to the east by Masbate, the west by Mindoro, the south by Marinduque and lying north of Panay, the Philippine islands of Romblon province are often overlooked as a holiday destination, making them a Philippine destination less traveled. Romblon province is an unusual destination less traveled as, quite apart from the islands being untroubled by many of the disruptive weather patterns common to other areas of the Philippines, this non commercialized group of islands are easy to get to, have natural beauty in abundance, plentiful tourist facilities, dive sites and a host of other attractions both sedentary and active.

While Romblon is endowed with lush vegetation, highland trails and tracks, seashore adventures on white sand beaches and world class dive sites, its location is off the ‘normal’ tourist trail is due to the fact that the islands are mainly known for their mineral resources. Indeed, when most people discuss Romblom they think of only of the areas famous marble and marble carvings - reckoned to match Italy’s best – not an ideal for Philippines tourism.

Travel to Romblom province is trouble free as Romblon can be reached by an hours Seair flight from Manila to the provincial airport at Tugdan in Alcantara. By sea, the most popular travel routes to Romblon are via the 12-hour Manila to Romblon - Odiongan route, or 8-hour Batangas route to Odiongan and San Agustin, or Magdiwang on Sibuyan Island. A number of smaller boats catering for foot passengers are also available, with schedule routes to Romblon from various locations both in Panay and Oriental Mindoro.

When you arrive on the Romblon Islands, you will find that there are circuit roads connecting Sibuyan Island’s three towns and Romblon Island. On Tablas, the main roads appear to follow the coast – a good thing because the few cross-island unpaved roads can be difficult to traverse in bad weather. Travel between the islands themselves is relatively easy as there are many small ferry points and regular crossings.

Local legend says that Romblon acquired its name when a Spanish sailor looking for food on the island saw a hen's nest beside a hut. He asked a girl if he could have it but not understanding, she answered "Nagalomlom" – meaning it was a brooding hen. The Spaniard left empty handed but when asked what the island was, he jokingly said, "Na lomlom." The name stuck, later being corrupted to Domblon, and then finally settling on Romblon. 

The provincial capital, Romblon town, sits on a splendid natural harbor protected by the white sand beaches and offshore coral reefs of Alad, Cobrador and Lugbong Islands. Rather a pleasant      throwback to bygone days, the town has retained some of its architectural miss-match of old Spanish colonial-style, and nipa-roofed houses, much more picturesque than the modern skylines of many Philippine provinces.

Romblon is very popular for dive safaris, with both Romblon and Tablas Islands being a ‘must visit’ for divers. Probably the most famous dive sites are the ‘Blue Hole’ off Tablas Island, and Goto Point off Banton, although the province abounds with white sand based dive sites and offshore coral reefs at various depths. For wreck divers, popular sites are the 295-foot sunken ferryboat MV Mactan off Concepcion town, a supposed old Spanish galleon in the deep waters off San Agustin, and the Lugbong Wreck close to shore on Lugbong Island.

For nature lovers, Romblon’s islands have a thick forest reserve, still home to many species of exotic flora and fauna that has disappeared from the overcrowded mainland. The islands also have numerous mountain springs and waterfalls, and a host of idyllic and picture-perfect, palm-fringed white coral sand beaches, many tourists idea of a tropical paradise.

Romblon also has something for mountain trekkers and climbers; with the crescent-shaped island of Sibuyan having two prominent peaks abundant with wildlife, plant species, and waterfalls. Mount Guiting-Guiting is, at 2,058 meters, Romblon’s highest mountain, and this along with the smaller 789 meter Mount Nailog are both popular with climbers

With a climate more pleasant than its Philippine mainland counterparts and acknowledged as one of the most peaceful provinces in the Philippines, Romblon is a perfect offset to frantic holiday activities elsewhere in the Philippine islands. Whether diving, seeing the sights or relaxing on a beautiful white-sand beach, a trip to Romblon province is well worth a few days of anyone’s Philippine vacation time.