Landlocked harbor gives sanctuary to distressed ships

(Conclusion)

Aside from enjoying the monopoly of producing one of the world's best

marbles, Romblon also prides itself in having a rich history and culture,

and unexplored nature's bounty, and kind people where the

"Philippines wears a smile."

The famous Romblon Harbor is a "remarkable landlocked harbor" that provides

sanctuary to ships in distress. It boasts of having underneath a sunken

Spanish galleon and the wreck of a Japanese battleship that was bombed out

at the closing of the war years in 1944 at the Battle of the Leyte Gulf (or

Sibuyan Sea?), the world's greatest naval battle.

Built by the Recollect Fathers in the 15th century, the St. Joseph Cathedral

and Belfry, in Romblon, the capital town, is one of the oldest Roman Catholic

churches in the country. It is made out of coral blocks and its Byzantine altar

"houses a veritable collection of antique icons, while its belfry contains an old

copper bell.

Other places of interest are a "countless coves and islets" in the islands of

Logbon, Tablas, and Cobrador where in clear water one can take a glimpse of

chains of coral reefs and submarine forests and other marine life.

The twin forts of San Andres and Santiago overlooking the whole town and

harbor are 15 feet above sea level. It can provide a bird's-eye view of the whole

town and the surrounding green islands and white beaches.

Other attractions are the Nagoso and Guyangon caves in Romblon and

Banton Islands, believed to be the burial grounds of the island folk's ancestors.

Centuries-old coffins made of hollowed logs and primitive artworks were

discovered in these caves.

Other tourism potentials are Mt. Guiting-Guiting in Sibuyan Island whose

towering peak is more than 6,000 feet above sea level. Its serrated summit

caused the death of six young mountaineers from the University of the

Philippines, and crash site to fighter aircraft from the air forces of Japan,

United States, and the Philippines. The planes' wreckage could still be found

there.

The "Tinagong Dagat" (hidden sea) in Calatrava Island defies the law of gravity,

the folk say, as its water rises when the tide is low and subsides during high

tide.

Hot springs in Banton and Corcuera Islands, tropical beaches and natural falls

also abound in Romblon. Some of the beaches are already developed into

resorts with facilities for conventions, seminars, and meetings, as well as for

diving lessons. Frequented are Marble Beach, Tiamban Villas, Palje Beach

Resort, and Poctoy Beach Inn and Resort. The Cawa-Cawa Falls and

Cantingas Mountain River Resort in Bgy. Taclobo, in Sibuyan Island, are also

worth seeing.