Romblon
—  Province  —
Flag Seal
Nickname(s): Marble Capital of the Philippines
Map of the Philippines with Romblon highlighted
Coordinates: 12°33′06″N 122°17′14″E / 12.55167°N 122.28722°E / 12.55167; 122.28722Coordinates: 12°33′06″N 122°17′14″E / 12.55167°N 122.28722°E / 12.55167; 122.28722
Country	Philippines
Region	MIMAROPA (Region IV-B)
Founded	March 10, 1917
Capital	Romblon
Government
• Type	Province of the Philippines
• Governor	Eduardo C. Firmalo (Liberal)
• Vice Governor	Manuel Madrid (Lakas-Kampi-CMD)
• Representative	Eleandro Jesus F. Madrona (Nacionalista) Lone District
Area
• Total	1,533.5 km2 (592.1 sq mi)
Area rank	68th out of 80
Population (2007)
• Total	279,774
• Rank	65th out of 80
• Density	180/km2 (470/sq mi)
• Density rank	43rd out of 80
Divisions
• Independent cities	0
• Component cities	0
• Municipalities	17
• Barangays	219
• Districts	Lone district of Romblon
Time zone	PHT (UTC+8)
ZIP Code	5500 to 5515
Spoken languages	Romblomanon, Onhan, Asi, Tagalog, English

Romblon /rɒmˈbloʊn/rom-BLOHN is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region. It lies south of Marinduque and Quezon, east of Mindoro, north of Aklan and Capiz, and west of Masbate. Its capital is also named Romblon. According the August 2007 Philippine census, it has a total population of 279,774.^[1]

Etymology[link]

The province of Romblon got its name from the word Lomlom (an act of a hen warming her eggs in the nest). According to local folklore, when the Spaniards first set foot on the province, one of the Spanish soldiers rambled along the beach. Tired of strolling, he felt thirsty and went to a house to ask for a drink. Inside it was a hen's nest somewhere on of a post near the window. The soldier inquired if he could get the chicken for free. The house occupant, a young woman, did not comprehend what the visitor said so she answered in the dialect "Nagalomlom", meaning the chicken was brooding. Perplexed, the Spanish soldier left the house muttering in disgust the word "Nagalomlom". When he returned to the ship he was asked where he had been and he answered mockingly: "Nagalomlom". Thus, when the Spanish left, they named the island "Lomlom", until it was corrupted to "Domblon", and later on modified to Romblon.^[2]

Geography and Climate[link]

Romblon Bay

Approximately 187 nautical miles (346 km) south of Manila, the islands of Romblon lie on Sibuyan Sea, south of Marinduque Island and north of Panay Island. To the east is the island of Masbate and in the west, the island of Mindoro. The province is composed of three major islands: Romblon, where the capital city of Romblon is located, Tablas, the largest island in the province, and Sibuyan, the easternmost island. There are also four smaller island municipalities: Banton Island, Simara Island, Maestro de Campo Island, and Carabao Island.

Most of Romblon's islands have a mountainous and rugged topography, and are of volcanic origin. The highest elevation in the province is Mount Guiting-Guiting in Sibuyan, which stands at 2,058 m. The peak boasts one of the most challenging climbs in the country due to its jagged summit.^[3] Due to its geography, the province is endowed with lush vegetation and mineral resources. The fertile soil nurtures various agricultural activities. Being an archipelago, its coasts are dotted with numerous fine, white sand beaches such as in Carabao Island and Cresta del Gallo. 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.^[4]

Romblon does not have a truly pronounced wet or dry season though the heaviest rainfall occurs from September to January. The driest months are March and April which are the best months to visit the province. 27° Celsius is the annual mean temperature, with February being the coldest month with temperatures dropping to 20° C, and May being the warmest month wherein temperatures could reach 35°C. Southwest monsoon winds or Habagat pass through the province from June to October while northeasterly winds or Amihan blows through the islands from December to February.^[5]

Demography[link]

The majority of the inhabitants of the province are Visayan; some Negritos are found on the interior of Tablas and Carabao and Manguianes or May-as in Sibuyan mountains.

Although part of Southern Tagalog, there are three distinct languages spoken as a native language by Romblon's inhabitants; they are Romblomanon or Ini, Bantoanon or Asi, and Inunhan or Onhan, which are classified as Visayan. Tagalog is widely understood, and English language stands as the medium of communication in business and trade.

The people of the province are mostly Christians: 75% of the population are Roman Catholic, while 25% belong to other Christian denominations such as the Philippine Independent Church, Iglesia ni Cristo, Seventh-day Adventist Church, Baptist churches, and Church of the Foursquare Gospel in the Philippines.^[6]

History[link]

Romblon's early inhabitants were the Negritos from Panay and Mangyan tribes from Mindoro. Ancient wooden coffins discovered in caves of Banton Island in 1936 signify a rich ancient civilization and culture in the province before the arrival of the Spaniards. These artifacts are currently in display at the National Museum in Manila.^[7]