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Banton belongs to the cluster of islands in the province of Romblon cuddled in the Sibuyan
Sea. Here abound countless stories of men and women - Bantoanons who out of grit and determination rose above poverty and
natural adversities inherent in the rocky locality. They come out with flying colors after sustained labor, armed with no
less than an unyielding firmness to accentuate the struggle which to the faint-hearted might easily consign to fate. These
Bantoanons convincingly persevered to the end.
To think of the lifestyle in Banton is to picture the natives living in peace and harmony
with nature in a backdrop of limited arable land and rolling hills and mountains. These circumstances nevertheless inspire
the Bantoanons more to persist although at times they receive meager material support from parents who are likewise deprived
of worldly conveniences. The parents actually do back-breaking jobs on the fields from dawn to dusk eking out a living for
the family’s immediate needs.
The children, on the other hand, have always been dutiful to their parents and aware of
their excruciating plight. In their prime youthful years they took ahead or foresee opportunities outside Banton. They leave
the poor barrio home amidst parents’ tears, mindful that behind the dark hovering clouds the bright sunshine amply energizes
them to face life and move ahead.
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