Nestled in the South Luzon seas, the province of Romblon is known for its astonishing nature escapes, but beyond that is the lucrative Romblon marble craft scene. This historic livelihood has backed several industries, such as art, architecture, construction, and the sciences. Their high-quality marble comes in a variety of sophisticated designs, formed by natural weathering and blending of minerals. There is no doubt why the province is dubbed the Marble Capital of the Philippines.
To satisfy your curiosity about marble mining in Romblon, here are some significant facts you should know about the industry.
6 Things You Need to Know About the Marble Industry in Romblon, Philippines
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Romblon is among the largest suppliers of marble in the Philippines.
Among the mineral deposits found in the islands of Romblon, marble is the most important. According to the Mines and Geosciences Bureau, the province has 150 million metric tons of marble deposits. These can mostly be found throughout Romblon and Tablas islands.
Romblon marble is used in different handicrafts, such as home accessories, novelty items, furniture, construction, stone tablet making, and art sculptures. Several local artisans and brands source their raw marble from Romblon, such as Versilé, the first Filipino gua sha brand.
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There are 5 types of Romblon marble.
The abundance of limestone in Romblon has produced a multitude of marble colors. Another interesting thing to know is that the color of the marble doesn’t change its price. Crafts are sold at an affordable price no matter which color you choose.
- Carrara Marble – Its beautiful white and gray tones are comparable to the Italian carrara marble.
- Black Marquina Marble – This elegant, dark marble has a deep black shade broken by irregular white veins.
- Red Rosso Marble – Spice up your home with hues of red and pink, its coppery tones decorated with thin veins of white.
- Verde Antique Marble – The luxurious, earthy green shades have more subtle white veins, presenting a jade-like hue to each product.
- Onyx Marble – Admire the translucent colors of black, brown, red, and white, great for achieving aesthetic decorative pieces.
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Marble mining in Romblon is regulated.
The Romblon Provincial Marble Regulatory Board (PMRB) sets the guidelines and requirements for extracting marble. They are in charge of approving applications for mining permits, enforcing local mining laws, and addressing mining-related problems across the province. The PMRB’s crucial role in maintaining Romblon’s environmental sustainability, economic growth, and labor welfare of the marble mining industry.
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Marble products of Romblon are affordable and diverse.
Various kinds and sizes of marble products can be found in shops in various parts of Romblon and Odiongan. Make sure to check out the following:
- Keychains
- Hand-shaped phone holders
- Mortar and pestle
- Sculptures
- Religious images
- Urns
- Lampshades
- Ashtrays
- Table bars
- Dining tables
- Tiles
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Large slabs of marble are priced up to 85,000 pesos.
Marble is one of Romblon’s main exports, and they regularly supply large quantities of marble overseas, which are sold for around 70,000 to 85,000 pesos, according to a special report by GMA Public Affairs. The United States, United Kingdom, and Germany are some of the biggest importers of Romblon marble.
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Romblon marble products are made using manual and traditional techniques.
Huge blocks of marble are quarried using a combination of hand tools and machinery. From there, the blocks are transported to a factory where specialized machines are used to carve, wash, and polish each block into functional pieces, such as pots, bowls, and cups. More intricate designs are carved out by hand and shaped to detail by skilled artisans. This shows how much labor and skill goes into a single marble product of Romblon.
Where to Find the Finest Marble Products of Romblon
You can find most marble shops while strolling the town centers of Romblon and Odiongan. However, your one-stop-shop for all marble souvenirs is Romblon Shopping Center. Browse through an array of lightweight and practical items like keychains, dining and kitchen accessories, and more.
If you’re planning to buy a huge or heavy marble craft, make sure to travel with a car. The main ports of Romblon can be reached through a RoRo vessel, making your trip more convenient. You can also avail of express delivery by ferry, as shipping companies are adept at handling delicate marble shipments.
How to Get to Romblon by Ferry
Travelers from Batangas, Oriental Mindoro, and Capiz can take a Starlite Ferries RoPax vessel to the ports of Romblon and Odiongan. Here is how to book your tickets:
- ONLINE BOOKING: Book your trip online via Chelsea Travel website (click here to access). Select “Ferries” and fill out the forms and pay through the online portal. You will receive an e-ticket after the transaction.
TIP: For rolling cargo or vehicles, select the “With Vehicle” option and fill out the requested details.
TICKET OUTLET: Visit any accredited ticketing agent or outlet (click here for the outlet directory). Bring a valid ID and your ticket payment.
- Present your e-ticket/ticket copy and your valid ID at the port of departure.
- Board the vessel at the designated boarding time.
Starlite Ferries travels the following Romblon ferry routes:
- Batangas to Odiongan and vice versa
- Batangas to Romblon and vice versa
- Batangas to Sibuyan, Romblon (Magdiwang) and vice versa
- Caticlan to Odiongan and vice versa
- Roxas, Mindoro to Odiongan and vice versa
- Romblon, Romblon to Sibuyan, Romblon (Magdiwang) and vice versa
- Roxas City, Capiz to Sibuyan, Romblon (Magdiwang) and vice versa
- Roxas City, Capiz, to Romblon, Romblon
The fascinating marble industry in Romblon is the cherry on top of its stunning shorelines, pristine waters, and wondrous islands. It is symbolic of their identity and livelihood. If you find yourself in its islands, be sure to support the marble craft industry and take part in the local culture.
ALSO READ: Things to Do and Sights to Explore in Sibuyan Island, Philippines
Starlite Ferries is the leading ferry service in the Philippines, plying the nautical highways in Southern Tagalog. Set sail to Romblon aboard our RoPax vessels, completely furnished with convenient guest amenities, like reclining seats, bunk beds, private cabins, cafeterias, and coffee shops. View our daily trip schedules here and book with us today.