Returning to Romblon with fond recollections of my first visit a decade ago had me on the verge of excitement. This time, instead of the stomach-churning 12-hour ferry from Batangas, I was flying with AirSWIFT.
Pressed for time to fit all three major islands – Romblon, Tablas, and our first stop, Sibuyan – into a week-long trip, we hurried to San Agustin Port.
In the Presence of Mount Guiting-Guiting
The sight of Mount Guiting-Guiting, also known as G2 and said to be the country’s most technical climb, loomed large as our van rolled past streams, rivers, and clear beachfronts. I wondered if Sibuyan, sometimes called “Galápagos of Asia” for its rich biodiversity, still faced threats from nickel mining.
A decade earlier, I had sailed to Sibuyan on a small ferry with my friend Dazzle. She once pointed to a whale shark’s fin appearing on the surface and said, “That’s why we should protect this island at all costs.” Her words still resonate, a reminder of how fragile this province remains.
Our limited time allowed only a visit to Lambingan Falls, whose cascades plunge into a wide dual-level pool. After a brief dip, we headed to Cantingas River, one of the country’s cleanest waterways, fed by Mount Guiting-Guiting itself. No one dared to jump from its 50-foot platform; we were content with an afternoon swim.
On our second day, I stepped on to Cresta de Gallo’s long stretch of powdery white sand. Spanish for “rooster’s crest,” the island’s name comes from its distinct sandbar shape. The whole morning, I did nothing but walked the length of the island, sunburned and all.
Leaving Sibuyan without setting foot on Guiting-Guiting’s trail felt strange. That alone was reason enough to return.
Counting Marbles
After two nights on Sibuyan, we sailed to Romblon Island, the provincial capital. Near the town center, a short hike led us to the 17th-century Fort San Andres, one of the surviving twin forts built by the Spanish in 1644 as defense against raiders and the Dutch. From the top, the view stretched to Tablas and Sibuyan across the bay.
A heritage walk around the town reveals houses from the late 19th century to pre-war years and the 16th-century Saint Joseph Cathedral Parish. Though much of the parish has been rebuilt, the tale of its lost Santo Niño image, swept away during a typhoon in 1991 and found years later in an Aklan antique shop, continues to draw intrigue.
In the late afternoon, we made our way to the Romblon Wind Farm in Barangay Agnay. Three 136-foot turbines towered above us, producing 900 kilowatt-hours of renewable power. From the hilltop, we watched the sun sink beyond the horizon, a delightful way to cap off another day in Romblon.
The following days brought more white-sand wonders and turquoise seas. On Cobrador Island, a diver’s haven famed for its “blue hole,” we beach-bummed along the long shoreline after taking turns leaping from Takot Reef’s cliff to coral-filled waters.
Back on the main island, Bonbon Beach dazzled with its Y-shaped coastline and a kilometer-long sandbar connecting to Bang-og Islet. Its soft, powdery sands seemed to glow under the afternoon light, revealing a postcard-perfect image of Romblon’s charm.
Before heading home, we visited the Marble Shopping Center near the town plaza, where local artisans shaped mugs, lamps, vases, sculptures, and even tombstones from the island’s famed marble. It was easy to see why Romblon is dubbed the “Marble Capital of the Philippines.”
Last Stop in Looc
On our final day, we crossed to Tablas Island to visit Looc Marine Sanctuary – a hidden gem teeming with more than a hundred marine species. From Binucot Beach, a boat brought us to a pair of wooden pontoons floating in the middle of the sanctuary. There, schools of fish glided beneath us, visible even without diving in.
Exploring Romblon in just a week barely scratches the surface. From the rich forests of Sibuyan to the capital’s marble-carved artistry, to Tablas’ thriving marine sanctuaries, this province holds countless stories waiting to be told.
Aboard the plane to Manila, I glanced out the window. With Mount Guiting-Guiting partly visible from a distance, I smiled at the idea of coming back to finally scale its peak. There truly remain many reasons to return to Romblon.
