Magdiwang Romblon
Climbing to the summit needs a lot of experience and skills, and for me personally, with its natural wonders, who wouldn’t want to try. Comfortable clothing and sturdy footwear are crucial for the short bumpy hike to the falls. A bathing suit, towel, and change of clothes are recommended for those planning to swim to their heart’s content. While the entrance fee is minimal, typically around PHP30, carrying extra money (in small bills like PHP50) is advisable for incidental expenses or to support local vendors. It’s best to pack light but don’t forget essentials like water, sunscreen, and insect repellent.
Sibuyan is known mainly for being the home of Mt. Guiting-Guiting, one of the most difficult and technically challenging Philippine mountains on most mountaineers’ bucket lists. For non-hikers, the main draw is Cresta de Gallo, a remote islet with a stunning sandbar usually visited on day trips from the main island. Part of our itinerary was a visit to a community of women who are still trying to revive the tradition of weaving. Besides providing jobs to local Sibuyanon, the organization also aims to teach the young ones how to weave, keeping the tradition alive.
It lost its provincial status for a short while between 1907 and 1945, but regained it in 1946, just after World War II. The province of Romblon is famous for its marble products, traditional weaving and basketry. While in Cajidiocan, we stopped by the Romblon travel destination State University Hand Weaving facility to buy some beautiful handwoven scarves produced by community women. Those who want to stay close to town can opt to stay in Rancher’s Bed & Breakfast. Rancher’s offers basic backpacker-friendly accommodations and a rooftop where you can just kick back at the end of the day. It’s walking distance to everything in town including the market, port and beach.
Bash Cafe serves freshly brewed coffee, pastries and Blueberry Cheesecake. There aren’t a lot of fancy dining options on the whole island of Sibuyan, though some resorts and inns have small eateries that serve basic meals. I really like the vibe of abandoned places, especially those that have been taken over by nature. In the town proper in San Fernando, you can find ruins of a huge Spanish Casa from World War II that used to accommodate Spanish and Filipino elites. Every time you click a link to Wikipedia, Wiktionary or Wikiquote in your browser's search results, it will show the modern Wikiwand interface.
