10/04/2021
BANTON ISLAND TRAVEL GUiDE
"The Heritage Island of Banton"
Banton (formerly known as Jones) is a fifth-class municipality in the province of Romblon, Philippines. Its territory encompasses the entire island of Banton located on the northern portion of the province and lies on the northern portion of the Sibuyan Sea near the southern tip of Marinduque. The name "Banton" was derived from the Asi word batoon, meaning "rocky", referring to the mountainous and rocky topography of the island due to its volcanic origin. Banton is the oldest municipality in Romblon.
HOW TO GET HERE:
From San Agustin port ( Tablas Island) Starhorse Shipping lines sails every Wednesday at 8:30am to Banton.
From Calatrava Port( Tablas Island)
Pumpboat sails every monday ( Once a week) to Banton.
From Lucena Starhorse shipping lines sails every Saturday to Banton.
TRANSPORTATION IN THE ISLAND:
The main mode of transportation in Banton are motorcycles or habal habal.
WHAT TO DO:
Hiking, Swimming, Snorkeling, Cultural and Heritage site visit, Spelunking. Etc
Tourist spots:
Tabonan Beach and Sanctuary- Located in Brgy Yabawon. This is widely considered as Banton's best beach. The waters fronting this beach and around islet is a fish sanctuary.
Macat-ang Beach- Located in Brgy. Mainit.
This cute beach facing west has a beautiful sunset. And also there's a spring underneath the sea which serves as a source of water for the people living in here.
Tambak BeachBeach- Located in Brgy. Banice. Fine white sand beach and there's a stream that runs to the sea teeming with small fishes.
Villa Cerelina Resort- Most developed beach area in the Island with electricity, cottages, water supply and recreation area.
Balogo Beach- Located in Brgy. Balogo.
Banton's most beautiful cove. The nearest jump off point going to Bantoncillo Island.
Guyangan Cave System-The Guyangan Cave System, situated at the boundary of Barangay Toctoc and Togbongan, has seven caves, some of which were inhabited during pre-colonial times, and is now an Important Cultural Treasure as declared by the National Museum. And here also found the earliest burial cloth estimated 400 years old ( Ikat cloth) in the Philippines and Southeast Asia.
Mt. Guinsiba Trek- At 1,200 feet above sea level this peak is a best hiking destination in the Island with the overlooking view of Brgy. Poblacion and the Islands of Tablas, Romblon2 and Sibuyan.
Bantoncillo Island- Is an uninhabited island with fine white sand and a rocky hill that overlooks the Islands of Tablas, Simara, Sibale, Marinduque and Mindoro.
Town Tour:
Fuerza De San Jose-The fort effectively protected the town against further Moro raids. Banton ceased being part of Capiz when the Spanish colonial government created the politico-military province of Romblon on 11 January 1868.
San Nicolas de Tolentino Church and Museum -The San Nicolas de Tolentino Parish Church was constructed under the leadership of Father Agustin de San Pedro, also known as El Padre Capitan, who was the parish priest of Banton at that time. The construction was completed in 1644, and in 1648, San Nicolas de Tolentino was installed as the town's patron saint.
Onte Watch Tower- A watch tower ruins built during the Spanish period used to watch over the impending raids of moro pirates.
Ancestral House visit: Fabicon Ancestral House- This house is a mini museum that features artifacts from guyangan cave system. ( Visitation is by appointment)
Fabella Ancestral House- This is one of the remaining Hispanic houses in Banton. This house is belong to the family of Faustino Fabella Sr. one of the founder of Banton National High School. ( Visitation is by appointment)
Ugat Faigao Museum- an American-era house at Pinagkaisahan in Barangay Poblacion which used to be the Ugat Faigao Museum but now serves as a sari-sari store.
Kampanaryo- Also a Watch tower used to watch over the impending moro pirates. ( Now constructed as a mini museum)
Cobbled stone ( Panutsa Street)-The cobbled stone Street have become historical landmarks symbolyzing the Bantoanons ingenuity in the face of scarce resourcesfor the construction of roads way back then.
Bangar Tree House- Local said it was the oldest tree in town.
Matagar- This natural landmark is Banton unlit lighthouse that has becomes the symbol of being home to Bantoanons.
Festivals: Sanrokan Festival-Banton has annual religious and cultural festivals. The Sanrokan festival showcases the local tradition of sharing food, especially viand, among neighbors and starts from Holy Saturday up to Easter Sunday. The festival has two phases: the Sanrokan sa Barangay (sharing of food in the villages) and the Sanrokan sa Poblacion (sharing of food at the town proper).
Feast Day of San Nicolas De Tolentino- Every year, on 10 September, the entire island pays tribute and homage to the town's patron saint, San Nicolas de Tolentino through the Biniray festival.
WHERE TO STAY:
Municipal Guest House
Contact Person:
Councilor Argie Festin
09282550977
Habal Habal Driver:
Kuya Centes
09950289137
