CALAPAN CITY , Philippines – Two good reasons why the island province of Romblon should be included in your out-of-town trip list this month are the Biniray Festival on Jan. 9 and the 4th Marble Trade Fair from Jan. 10 to 19.
The Biniray Festival is the fiesta of the Señor Santo Niño. Tradition has it that the image of the Santo Niño, a replica of the Cebuano Santo Niño, was on board a Spanish galleon bound for Madrid when it made a stop-over in Romblon. But strong winds prevented the ship from resuming its voyage to Spain through Romblon Bay.
The image was brought to a local church in Romblon island where a mass was held. After the mass, the image could not be carried out of the church, despite the efforts of the priests and the congregation. The people of Romblon have celebrated the presence of the Santo Niño with a fluvial parade since then.
Usually, a flotilla is organized during the fiesta to encircle Romblon Bay several times, reminiscent of the Spanish galleon’s futile attempts to remove the Santo Niño out of the province. Afterwards, the image will be paraded, accompanied by a colorful march, in the streets of Romblon proper.
The 4th Marble Trade Fair, on the other hand, will gather the best marble artisans who will literally slug it out in the marble carving competition. The contest has two events: marble carving designs and marble designs by lathe machines.
The Night Marble Market is a different kind of delight for the souvenir-hunting tourist and businessman. The market will showcase Romblon’s finest balusters, lamps, vases, candleholders, wine glasses, rolling pins, necklaces, pendants and many other marble products.
Indeed, Romblon is the place to be this January.