Romblon, the “Marble Capital of the Philippines,” will prove to be a promising tourist destination as it hosts the 3rd Mimaropa Festival in Odiongan town from Nov. 18 to 25, the Department of Tourism said on Wednesday.
Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo said: “Region IV-B’s best-kept secret, Romblon, will be unraveled as a world-class tourist attraction like its neighboring provinces.”
Region IV-B is comprised of Mindoro Occidental, Mindoro Oriental, Marinduque, Romblon and Palawan, from which the acronym Mimaropa comes from.
“Owing to its relative isolation, Romblon province has quietly preserved its lush mountainous greenery, hidden valleys waterfalls, pristine waters, white-sand beaches, diving sites, Spanish-era relics, and many more,” Teo pointed out.
“But it’s more fun in Romblon because of the local people’s hospitality and, of course, the delectable, authentic dishes and exotic fruits served with that infectious smile,” the tourism chief added.
DoT-Mimaropa Regional Director Danilo Intong said the weeklong festivities will see delegations from the region’s provinces, and will be highlighted by pageantry, sights and sounds of authentic ethnic performances, and display of abundant local farm produce.
The opening ceremonies will be led by Romblon Gov. Eduardo Firmalo, followed by events featuring drum and lyre competition, Marble Festival, agri-fair, cookfest, kite boarding, bicycle marathon, regatta, float parade, and the Mimaropa King & Queen pageant. Bill Casas
Slated as the festival’s main events are the street dance and the showdown among the groups of 1,000 cultural performers from the five provinces and the two cities of Calapan and Puerto Princesa.
“All roads lead to Odiongan, Romblon for an exciting and fun-filled Mimaropa3 Festival, which will surely be the next big-thing in Philippine tourism,” Intong said.
For more information, interested parties may contact Cecil Aranton of the DOT Mimaropa Regional Office through dot.mimaropa@gmail.com or call (02) 816-4886.
