Romblon: The country’s marble capital is also an island haven

Summer may have already given way to the rains and the start of the school year, but there are still some island paradises you can head to for a last-minute break. One of these is Romblon, the place to go if you yearn for pristine beaches, fresh seafood, and a tranquil stay at a mountain resort.

Romblon is everything Boracay used to be.

List the things you hate about Boracay: crowded beaches, vendors, tons of trash and overpriced  food. Romblon is Boracay sans these irritating things, as you have entire powdery white sand beaches to yourself.

The province's relative isolation works to its favor. It is rich with unspoiled beaches and marine sanctuaries, clean lakes and waterfalls, and well-preserved forests full of fireflies. It has even maintained Spanish-era structures such as ancestral houses and centuries-old churches.

Here's a secret: a lot of expats doing business in Boracay actually live in Romblon. They just commute via speed boat from Tablas island to Caticlan. It's a lot faster and easier than driving to work in Metro Manila, not to mention more fun.

The islands

A must-visit is Cobrador Island, off the northern tip of the province.

Just an hour's ferry ride from Romblon town, the island is home to a small fishing and farming community. There are no resorts or hotels here yet, just small cottages. The locals sell souvenir items and snacks; be sure to taste their homemade banana chips. They will also cook freshly caught fish for you.

Next stop is Tablas Island, also a ferry ride from Romblon town. You can also get there by pump boat from Boracay.

Tablas' long coastline and white sands make it look like an extension of Boracay, but without the line of hotels and resorts along the coast. At Binucot Beach, you can view the perfect sunset, while exploring its long sandbar on foot. The waves here are gentle and perfect for swimmers.

Tourists can stay at the Binucot Sunset Cove Resort, which provides comfortable lodgings, or Michaela Resort, which offers a Balinese type of accommodation.

Getting there

According to Romblon Governor Eduardo Firmalo, the province is slowly opening up to tourists, with its own airport opening in a couple of years.

But even without an airport, there are many sea and air routes to Romblon.The nearest airport is Caticlan on Aklan; from there, you can take the ferry or speedboat to Tablas Island.

A 14-hour journey by ship from Manila on board 2Go Travel is also a must-try. Indeed, it is more comfortable spending the night cruising and stargazing on the view deck and making friends with your fellow travelers.

Firmalo said that from 62,000 tourists who visited the island in 2010, the number increased to 102,000 in 2013.

Tourism Director Rebecca Villanueva-Labit of the Department of Tourism's Region IV-B office—which hosted the media trip to Romblon—says the government is aiming to develop the province's tourist destinations without sacrificing its fragile environment.

She says tourists can soon experience daring climbs to Mount Guiting Guiting on Sibuyan Island, the second largest of Romblon's three major islands and known as “the Galapagos of Asia” because of its relative isolation and rich natural resources.

The majestic Mount Guiting Guiting, standing 6,752 feet, is the heart of the natural park of the same name. It is considered one of the most difficult peaks to explore owing to its rugged terrain.

Romblon beyond marble

Romblon, of course, is most famous for its marble. But its attractions go beyond the solid rock that is quarried out of its ground.

A drive around Romblon town is a relaxing adventure back to the old days: there are no shopping malls or large billboards here. And its plaza is what a town center ought to be: a hub with enough space to breathe and walk around, despite the busy streets.

Nearby, the 17th century St. Joseph Cathedral houses the supposedly miraculous image of Sto. Niño de Romblon, which went missing for 22 years until it was found again last year. The image was returned to the cathedral after a church worker positively identified the image.

And at the port area, the water remains crystal-clear, delighting visitors coming from the other islands.

But if you are in Romblon to look for marble, the shopping plaza is a delight for souvenir shoppers, offering intricately designed marble items at very low prices.

For instance, a medium-sized mortar and pestle, or almires, will go for only P50 to P60. Just keep in mind the potential problems with luggage weight.

What's more, a 20-minute jeepney ride from the town will take you to small communities engaged in marblecraft. The items made there are much bigger and are mostly Buddhist statues for export.

Where to stay

While it is hard to decide where to stay in Romblon, it is advisable to find a place that will let you have the best of both worlds: the incomparable serenity of a mountain view and access to a white sand beach where you can watch a picture-perfect sunrise every morning.

A cozy place for a mountain resort stay is Dream Paradise Resort, where evenings are restful and early morning breakfast on the veranda gives you a tranquil view of the mountains and the nearby ricefields, over which crows fly.

The beauty of Romblon has been a well-kept secret for those who have explored it. There is no reason you will not fall for this island paradise. — BM, GMA News