ROMBLON—A marble carving contest, a marble parade, and a captivating display of Romblon’s unique and fabulous marble products will highlight this year’s Marble Festival.

The event will be held at the Romblon Shopping Center and other areas in Romblon, Romblon from January 14-20. It coincides with the week-long celebration of the famous “Biniray Festival”, the town’s festivities for its patron saint, Sr. Sto. Niño.

Local balikbayans and foreign visitors are expected to grace the said events organized by the Romblon provincial government under the leadership of Governor Eduardo “Lolong” Firmalo and Vice-Governor Manuel M. Madrid.

Carrying the theme “Marmol Ko, Buhay Ko!”, the Marble Festival aims to revive the once vibrant marble industry in Romblon which fell victim to foreign competition. Prior to the liberalized entry of imported stones and ceramic products in the country, the marble industry provided the town and the whole province of Romblon a strong economic base.

Romblon is blessed with abundant supply of quality marbles, considered to be one of the finest in the world. It is only in Romblon that marbles can be found in different colors such as green onyx, argo, century, grey, and black.

“I strongly believe that the marble industry will survive as our craftsmen, artists, laborers and entrepreneurs have the skills, enthusiasm and ingenuity to raise this industry from its current state,” said Firmalo.

The governor assured the Romblomanons of his continuing support for projects aimed at revitalizing the marble industry.

In the marble carving contest, local craftsmen will show their unique and artistic talents in carving, especially when they do the finishing touches on their entries. The winner will get P20,000 in cash prize from the provincial government.

Meanwhile, stalls in the shopping center will dress up glamorously with the massive display of various marble products from different fields like fine dining, home decoration, bathroom, garden objects, culture, religion, and art. The marble parade on the other hand will feature giant replicas of Romblon’s most famous marble items.

Firmalo enjoins everybody to take part in the festivities, either as contestants, enthusiasts, travelers, shoppers or even those who simply want to see the beauty of Romblon and the greatness and kindness of its people.