Romblon, the capital town of Romblon Province has many things to boast about. Aside from natural wonders, Romblon has heritage and religious sites that every tourist must explore. Considered as the oldest Roman Catholic church in the province, Saint Joseph Cathedral was one the 26 colonial churches declared as National Cultural Treasures in 2001.The entire structure is made from the local resources, which include the bricks and blocks made of corals. This cathedral is rich in history, but the best time to visit it is when the church is open for the mass. As the keepers of the church do not allow anyone inside, if there is no scheduled gathering of the cathedral. However, moving around the outside of the church and in the campus, gives a fabulous feeling. The place is majestic and carries a lot of history.St joseph Cathedral may be small compared with regular cathedral sizes but the ambiance is really perfect for anybody to commune with God.
–Nuestra Señor Sto. Niño de Romblon
The image of the Santo Niño de Romblon is that of a carved wooden image meant to be vested. The image has a brownish complexion and said to be a replica of the famed Santo Niño de Cebu from the observation of the image’s stance and style of carving and the way he was fashioned from the base of the image and its vestments.Tradition has it that in 1582, the Niño was commissioned by an Augustinian Friar, who had the figure carved in the Philippines, based on the original Sto. Niño de Cebu. The replica image was meant to be shipped to Madrid, but when the galleon carrying the image stopped over at Romblon, a typhoon stopped the ship from leaving. The Sto. Niño was thus taken down from the vessel and brought to the local church where a Holy Mass was offered. After the rites, the Sto. Niño could not be moved from its place, and so the galleon left the image behind. This manifestation shows that the Child Jesus chose this quiet island to grant his protection and graces for those who will ask for them – and the people fervently responded. For centuries, the Sto. Niño de Romblon resided at the Cathedral of San Jose and several miracles were attributed to this miraculous image from saving the island from pestilence, typhoons, drought and other calamities, as well as several favors granted that the image became well known and loved by the people of Romblon. One incident in particular happened during World War 2 where bomber planes couldn’t locate the island from above because the Santo Niño conjured thick clouds to shield Romblon from the eyes of the Japanese pilots. Recently, Romblon Governor Eduardo Firmalo recalls that Romblon was also directly under the path of of the dangerous Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) but “it suddenly changed course and spared us from destruction because of the protection of their beloved King.
ROSEMARIE 