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The Province of Romblon is a cluster of twenty islands lying at the center of the Philippine archipelago. It is completely surrounded by deep waters with Sibuyan Sea on the north, east and south, and Tablas Strait on the west. Romblon’s three major islands are Tablas, Romblon, and Sibuyan, forming the largest and populated areas.
Dubbed as the "Marble Country" which fittingly describes the rich deposits of marble found all over the province. In fact, all the islands of Romblon have marble. It is believed that the substructure of the island and its neighboring islets are of marble. Quarries on these islands produce raw marble for sculpture and construction purposes. Romblon is the only place in the Southeast Asia with the marble deposits of commercial value. Experts say that Romblon marbles are equal to Italian marbles in quality.
The people of Romblon, mostly Visayans, are mainly engaged in farming and fishing. The farmers’ primary products are rice, copra and abaca. Fishermen harvest the bounty of the surrounding seas. Romblon is also famous for its traditional weaving and basketry. Handicrafts are a major home industry in which the women are engaged. The province is noted, especially, for it fine and delicate crochet laces and bedspreads.
Tablas is the biggest of its major islands. Fine beaches abound in this island like the 3-km stretch of gray sand in Poctoy Beach, the pebble-covered shores of Calagunsao and Tugdan Beaches in Alcantara, the pool of salty water in Tinagong Dagat and the Canyayo Beach in Santa Fe that has a combination of white sand and crushed corals. Tablas is also blessed with beautiful waterfalls such as the Mainit Falls and Garing Falls in Odiongan, Mablaran Falls in San Andres, and the Dubduban-Bita Falls in San Agustin.
Sibuyan, is second largest island is very mountainous, with a good covering of natural forest. The island is dominated by Mt. Guiting-Guiting, the highest peak in Romblon at 2057 meters.
Though the smallest of the three major islands, Romblon is the seat of the provincial government and center of commercial and economic activities in the province. Romblon Island is situated between the two major islands of Sibuyan and Tablas. It has a well-protected harbor, which is considered to be the best landlocked harbor in the country. A few kilometers away from the town proper are the beaches of Bonbon and Tiamban. Off the coast are Logbon, Alad and Cobrador, three islets with white sand beaches.
PAL and Asian Spirit flies to Romblon from Manila. Availability of ferryboats from Sta. Fe and Looc to Malay depends on the number of waiting passengers at the pier. Ferryboats from Odiongan to Batangas are available every Sunday and Wednesday. Travel from island to island is by pump boats.
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