The subterranean river, Saint Paul’s Bay, Palawan taken by flashlight, looking toward the exit
ROMBLON PROVINCE.—The Province of Romblon has nothing of special interest to the tourist except the town of Romblon which has one of the best natural harbors in the islands and the extensive marble deposits which have been quarried and used for years and are now disappearing.
THE VISAYAS.—The “Visayas” is the general name given to the central portion of the Philippine Archipelago. It includes the large Islands of Panay, Negros, Cebu, Bohol, Leyte, and Samar, and a very great number of smaller islands and islets. Though greatly broken up by mountains, these contain the most thickly populated districts in the Islands and constitute by far the largest area inhabited by a single stock (the Visayan) and speaking, though with many dialect variations, one language. Within this area are the best sugar and some of the best hemp lands, and many other important products of the Islands grow well. To the tourist, perhaps, they do not, outside of the cities of Cebu and Iloilo, abound in “sights.” But the larger islands exhibit many fine vistas; and the smaller ones, mostly mountainous, form with the surrounding tropical waters a combination which, for color and variety of outline, rivals the Inland Sea of Japan at its best.
SAMAR PROVINCE comprises the whole Island of Samar which is the fourth largest island in the Archipelago. It lies southeast of Luzon and is separated from the Province of Sorsogon by the San Bernardino Strait. The island is very rugged and nearly all of the towns are located near the coast. Another characteristic feature of the mountain regions is the presence of caves of which the most noted is the Sohotan cave near Basey. River transportation is the chief means of communication.
Where the Spaniards first landed To Samar belongs the distinction of being the first island of the Philippine Archipelago to be discovered by the Spaniards. On March 16, 1521, Ferdinand Magellan sighted the island, and the day following, landed on the little island of Homonhon. In 1649 the greatest part of the Island of Samar became involved in a great rebellion which became the signal of general uprising in the Visayan Islands and in parts of Mindanao. The cause of the uprising was enforced labor in connection with shipbuilding. It lasted about a year. The rebels fortified themselves in the mountains and there established an independent settlement. From here they sallied forth from time to time and harassed the Spanish forces sent against them.
ILOILO AND CAPIZ.—The Provinces of Iloilo and Capiz occupy the entire eastern portion of the Island of Panay, immediately south of Romblon Island. They consist of an extensive plain extending far back to the foot of a range of mountains that traverses the western part of the island.
The Panay line of the Philippine Railway Company cuts directly through this plain extending as far as Capiz, the capital of the province of the same name, immediately north of Iloilo Province.
Attractions The trip over the railroad takes the traveler past several points of interest. Just beyond Ventura there are seen to the west of the tract a series of high mountain cliffs of white coral rock. These are honeycombed by caves of wonderful structure and great beauty. One of the most beautiful resembles an immense stage, set with elaborate scenery. Another of great extent and variety is entered by descending through a shaft resembling a well. An hour’s walk from the entrance leads the traveler to a place where the roof has collapsed and trees have grown to gigantic heights, the cave continuing to an unknown distance.
The natural bridge of Suhut in the town of Dumalag, Capiz, is also worth visiting. Near the natural bridge is a spring of sulphurous and salty water.