The story goes that the ati-atihan or Biniray Festival in Romblon started when Fr. Loarca made a visit to the islands of Romblon in 1582. As he tried to sail out of Romblon, he found he could not leave. They tried seven timesa. Frustated, they decided to leave the Sto. Niño on shore and it stuck to its present location. It was only after this that the expedition sailed safely out to sea. This even resulted in the conversion of many natives to the Catholic faith.

These days, Romblomanons celebrate their nine-day town fiesta every January, in honor of the Santo Niño, Patron. During the "Biniray Festival", people decorate themselves with flowers and vines, paint their faces, and dance in the streets. A fluvial procession honoring the image of the Holy Child circles the bay seven times to reenact the Spaniards' futile attempt to leave the bay. The Biniray is similar to the ati-atihan festival of Aklan.

Hala Bira!