Why Romblon’s islands deserve more love and attention

The sun was up when we arrived at Tablas Island, offering a stark contrast to Metro Manila’s gloomy August skies. As we made our way to our resort in San Agustin, the coastal highway opened up to endless views of the sea. It’s a sight that stayed with me, making it feel as if the island itself were saying, “This is just the beginning.”

The whole trip felt like a reminder to slow down and surrender to Tablas’ quiet yet inviting atmosphere. And with each minute spent on the island, I found myself wanting for more.

Underrated, laid-back beaches

Before this Sunlight Air-sponsored trip, I’d never heard of Tablas, but Bon Bon Beach is now etched in my memory. The entire journey was filled with similarly unforgettable moments. A standout, however, was Bon Bon Beach itself. Ranked number 38 on the 2025 World’s 50 Best Beaches list, it offered a truly one-of-a-kind experience.

Bon Bon beach stretches long and wide, ending at its northern tip with the famous sandbar that reaches toward Bang-og, a small, uninhabited island. Unfortunately, the high tide kept the sandbar hidden, so we cut short what could have been a ten-minute walk to the far end. Still, the waters on the southern side of the beach were calm and clear enough to swim in.

We also crossed over to Cobrador Island, which had clear, picturesque waters and a laid-back vibe.

Cove Aurelio in Calatrava, on the other hand, was a secluded spot surrounded by towering limestone rock formations that offered an even more intimate escape.

Heading to the far north end of Tablas Island, we visited Lapus-Lapus beach. The name translates to 'tagos-tagos' in Tagalog, as a giant limestone formation in between the shores create an illusion of two completely separate beaches. Walking through them feels like stepping from one hidden cove right to another. A similar vibe awaits at Binucot beach on the southern coast of Tablas.

While clear waters and white sand isn’t so rare in the country, the true charm of Romblon comes from two things. First, we felt so much more connected to the place because, for the most part, we were the only ones exploring the area while the locals simply went on with their day. Secondly, you can’t easily find Romblon food anywhere else but Romblon — and it’s very underrated.

The taste of Romblon

On our way to Odiongan, we asked our guide, Josh Martinez of the Romblon Provincial Tourism Office, about local delicacies we could bring home. His response resonated with me: “‘Yung mga delicacies ng Romblon, hindi siya basta nai-uuwi, you have to experience them here.”

Over the next four days of our stay there, I found out how right he was.

One dish that stood out was Taghilaw, a savory stew of pork meat, innards, and liver simmered in vinegar and water. When I described it later to a friend, he asked if it resembled Bopis. Taghilaw has a similar texture, but with larger cuts of meat. And unlike the sauteed and oily Bopis, Taghilaw is distinctly soupy.

On the spread

• Taghilaw

  Pork meat, innards, and liver stew simmered in water, vinegar, and spices.

• Gayabon

  Fresh taro leaves cooked in coconut milk.

• Steamed Vegetables with Balitsaw

  Fermented shrimp sauteed in coconut milk, served alongside local greens.

• Pinangat nak isra

  Yellowfin tuna cooked slowly in rich coconut milk.

• Crispy fried bolinao

  Breaded anchovies fried golden for the perfect crunch.

For a healthier choice, Inaslom is Romblomanons’ answer to Northern Luzon’s Dinengdeng or the Tagalog Bulanglang. The locals claimed this dish has at least a hundred variations that every family across the province has its own signature twist.

The version served to us in Odiongan was made with bamboo shoots and corn simmered in a base of hibe (dried shrimp) which filled the dining space with its rich aroma.

As for seafood, the highlight was Sarsa na Uyang (freshwater prawns) over lunch at Cobrador Island. Finely pounded shrimp paste is mixed with shredded coconut, siling labuyo, ginger, garlic, onions, and spices, then wrapped in coconut leaves and boiled in coconut milk. Personally, this would be best enjoyed when topped onto hot, steaming rice.

Sarsa na Uyang.

While these dishes had to be enjoyed on the spot, I did manage to bring home packs of Tipin, a circle-shaped, thin yet crunchy coconut biscuit made by the Romblon-native Shapes Bakeshop. My only regret was not buying more, as they are surprisingly addictive.

Romblon Heritage

To dive into Romblon’s past, we visited one of the twin forts, the Fuerza de San Andres. The forts are located on Romblon Island (an island within the province of Romblon), just a 30-minute motorboat ride away from Tablas.

On the way up the fort, you are greeted by mosaic artworks etched onto the steps. These depict local folklore, including the origin of the province’s name from Dublon or Donblon, and the act of a bird warming an egg in its nest.

Built during the Spanish colonial period, Fuerza de San Andres once served as a watchtower to protect the area from Dutch and Muslim invaders. Unfortunately, its twin, Fort Santiago, was destroyed in ruins by Moro pirates centuries ago.

Another notable heritage stop is the San Jose Cathedral. Built in 1644 using limestone, red bricks, and egg-white mortar, this Baroque church is famous for housing the revered image of Nuestra Señora del Sto. Niño de Romblon. You might recognize it from the news, as the centuries-old icon was stolen in 1991 and only returned home in 2013 after more than two decades.

Marble Capital of the Philippines

Romblon is known as the Marble Capital of the country. And true to its title, you’ll see it everywhere – from local roads to the provincial capital itself.

We got a glimpse of where it all begins, mined straight from the hillsides. During an impromptu stop at our guide’s house, we saw for ourselves how common raw marble blocks are, as they had some right in their backyard.

We visited a local workshop to watch raw marble blocks sliced and polished into sleek floor tiles. Meanwhile, local artisans shape the stone into charming trinkets that we couldn't resist picking up at a pasalubong center in Odiongan.

How to get there

Reaching Romblon used to mean committing to an eight-to-ten-hour journey via ferry, or flying into Caticlan and crossing open waters by boat. But an easier route is offered by Sunlight Air.

Through direct flights from Clark International Airport to Tablas Island, Sunlight Air cuts the trip to at least 1 hour and 15 minutes. For travelers coming from Metro Manila, there are car rental services like Hertz or point-to-point (P2P) buses departing directly from Trinoma in Quezon City.

Pulling you back in

Though the monsoon rain kept us from ticking all the places in our itinerary, it left me with a quiet longing to return under sunny skies.

But missing a few spots is only part of why I want to go back. There’s something rare that Romblon offers to visitors: a tranquil, unhurried escape free from heavy tourist crowds.

Catching Romblon’s islands in shrouded grey skies reminded me that travel isn't just about admiring a destination at its absolute best. It’s about learning to appreciate a place for what it reveals, even when it isn’t postcard-perfect.

Romblon stole my heart – and I’m sure it will steal yours too. – Rappler.com