The Romblon Triangle is a region in the central seas of the Philippines which lies near the province of Romblon, where a number of surface vessels are alleged to be either mysteriously disappeared or sunk under unexplainable circumstances. Dubbed as the Philippines version of the infamous Bermuda Triangle, this “cursed” area is blamed for almost 40 maritime disasters that have occurred since the early 80’s. Philippine Coast Guard believes that such disasters are due to natural phenomenon like high tides, heavy typhoons among others; outcome of its navigational potentials and topographic features. On the other hand, popular culture assumes paranormal tales which may intervene with the passing vessels.
The boundaries of the triangle covers the entire area of northern Romblon province, and its endpoint lies on Concepcion municipality, in-between of the Dos Hermanas islands (Isabel and Carlota islands) and Sibuyan Island. Native Romblomanons have heard stories about the mythical “Lolo Amang” and his golden ship. Legend has it that prior to any maritime disaster, the mysterious ship would show up to seafarers only to disappear once the sea turns pitch black.
The boundaries of the triangle covers the entire area of northern Romblon province, and its endpoint lies on Concepcion municipality, in-between of the Dos Hermanas islands (Isabel and Carlota islands) and Sibuyan Island. Native Romblomanons have heard stories about the mythical “Lolo Amang” and his golden ship. Legend has it that prior to any maritime disaster, the mysterious ship would show up to seafarers only to disappear once the sea turns pitch black.
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| Romblon Triangle |
Sibale Mayor Lemuel Cipriano said that a lot of ships have made the Romblon Triangle as their final resting place. They went down to their watery grave with thousands of people on board.
In 1980, the Don Juan with at least 1,000 on board collided with an oil tanker and sunk; In 1987, the Dona Paz with 4,000 passengers collided with an oil tanker and sunk; In 2008, the Princess of Stars with more than 1,000 passengers capsized and sunk during a typhoon.
In World War II, the triangle claimed as victims four Japanese battleships during the Battle of Sibuyan Sea on October 24, 1944. Allied planes sunk Musashi, Japan’s second most powerful battleship, and two destroyers --- Nagato and Myoko --- while Yamato, Japan’s symbol of naval power, was heavily damaged it eventually sunk in the sea in Okinawa.
Other than the ships that pass by during the day, residents swear they also see a “ghost ship” during the night, which is brightly lighted and “it glistens like gold.”
They said minutes before the Don Juan collided with the oil tanker on the night of April 22, 1980, the ghost ship appeared and the Don Juan captain tried to avoid it but crashed into the tanker instead and sunk with more than 1,000 people on board.
But an official of the Philippine Coast Guard said the waters from the Pacific Ocean and the West Philippine Sea intersect in Tablas Strait and it forms a riptide that cause big waves that makes the area dangerous for ships.
Sources:
http://www.sibale.amorfrancis.com/romblon-triangle.php
http://manilastandardtoday.com/2014/02/03/the-curse-of-the-romblon-triangle
http://www.filipiknow.net/unsolved-mysteries-philippines/
Pic Source:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3d/Romblon_Triangle.jpg
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