Romblon, Philippines
Romblon is an island in the Philippines which is located MIMAROPA region in Luzon. It is a cluster of twenty islands lying in the Sibuyan Sea that is practically at the center of the Philippine archipelago. Romblon is south of Marinduque, west of Masbate, east of Mindoro, and north of Panay Island. Romblon is also called “Marble Country” and expert says that Romblon marble is equal to Italian marble in quality.
There are three distinct languages spoken as a native language by Romblon’s inhabitants; they are Romblomanon or Tiyad Ini including many variant Sibuyanon dialects, Bantoanon or Asi, and Inunhan or Onhan. The people of Romblon are mostly Visayans whose language is similar to Hiligaynon. However, there are marked differences between the dialects used in each island. Northern and eastern islanders incorporate more Bicolano words while the people in islands farther south speak in a dialect more closely akin to Aklanon Visayan Romblon and the neighboring islands of Mindoro, Panay and Masbate have had a long history of contact.
Romblon is gifted with lush vegetation and mineral resources. Aside from marble, the islands are rich in granite, nickel, silica, mercury, zinc, copper, silver, limestone, sulfide, ores, kaolin, clay, magnesium and quartz. Gold panning sites have sprouted in some of the mountain stream areas in Magdiwang, Sibuyan Island. The fertile soil nurtures varied agricultural crops–like coconut, rice, corn, bananas, rootcrops, fruit trees, vines and many others. Offshore, Romblon is a rich fishing ground. The islands lie on the migratory path of fishes from the Sulu and Visayan Seas, passing the Tablas Strait, Sibuyan Sea, and Romblon Pass.
The town of Romblon still retains vestiges of an important craft in the adornments of old houses and public buildings. The Cathedral of Saint Joseph features fine woodwork done by local features fine woodwork done by local artisans. The massive doors and the Byzantine-style altars adorn the 18th century fortress church that forms a center point for a series of Spanish fortifications. San Andres and Santiago forts lie on two strategic hills above the town.
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