Way back 2007, 1st year college pa lang kami nun, may classmate kami in Adamson University na taga Batanes and his name is Rj. I remembered when we asked him kung saan siya nag-aral nung High School, he told us sa Batanes. And immediately I told him, “Saan yun?”… “Isama mo naman kami doon.”
There were times na kapag wala kaming ginagawa sa school at nagpapalipas lang ng oras before our next subject, nababanggit yan sa kantyawan. Since hindi nga familiar sa amin ang lugar, parang nakaka-curious pumunta.
For me, “never heard” pa ang lugar na ito and wala akong idea kung anong meron dun (never ko ding sinearch sa google). Until such time na nakapanood kami ng movie ni Toni Gonzaga at Coco Martin na “You’re My Boss!”, kung saan ang isa sa setting of the story ay sa Batanes. Napakaganda ng kuha sa sinehan and it’s really inviting! May ganyan pala dito sa Pinas! Dahil dyan, lagi kaming nagsesend ng messages to Rj para banggitin na sama kami papunta sa kanila.
Biglaan lang nagyaya ang isa naming college friend na si Janine. Magli-leave na daw siya sa work and ganun din Noreen para makasama kami sa pag uwi ni Rj dahil pyesta sa kanila ng May 1.
May mga challenges man along the way kasi di kami agad nakakuha ng confirmation sa aming flight and accommodation dahil malapit na sa target date ng alis. I think 2nd week ng April 2016 nagkayayaan then 4th week ng same month na ang travel. Peak season kasi. Nevertheless, in my mind and heart, feel na feel kong tuloy na tuloy na ito! (Lalo na’t approved na din agad ang leave ng mga friends ko) 🙂
Finally! After graduation plus years of working, OUR DREAM TO EXPERIENCE THE BREATHTAKING VIEW OF BATANES HAPPENED last April 29 to May 2, 2016. Yehey!!!
If you’re planning to go to Batanes, the best time ay kapag summer, April and May. Kasi other months daw dun ay malamig, makulimlim or maulan. Baka hindi niyo masilayan ang blue skies at di makapag take ng picture pang Profile Pic! Haha! Iba daw ang panahon nila compared here in Manila. Ang average budget naman na kailangan pag ganitong time ka pupunta is more or less P20,000 for your airfare, accommodation, food and tour.
Here are tons of pictures from our #BreathtakingBatanes adventure and the places that we visited:
DAY 1 (April 29, 2016)
“Batan Island” (North and South)
Batan Island is the main island of Batanes, an archipelagic province in the Philippines. It is the second largest of the Batanes Islands, the northernmost group of islands in the country. Four of the six municipalities of Batanes are located on the 20-kilometer (12 mi) long island including the provincial capital of Basco. The other municipalities are Ivana, Mahatao and Uyugan.
- Tukon Church (Mt. Carmel Church)
The Tukon Church, a project of the Fundacion Pacita Abad, is a new church on the hills of Tukon in Batanes. It has life-size paintings of saints in its ceilings, all made by Ivatan artists.
- Basco PAGASA Complex
The Basco PAGASA Complex houses the PAGASA Radar Station. Being located at the northernmost part of the country, it is used as the reference point of all typhoons that enter the Philippine area of responsibility.
- Dipnaysuhuan Japanese Tunnel
Located in the hills of Tukon, this five-door tunnel, complete with a series of chambers, a bunker that serves as a lookout spot, and a water reservoir, was constructed during the Japanese occupation as a defensive position.
- Valugan Boulder Beach
The rock bay is popularly known for its long stretch of boulders due to Mt. Iraya’s eruption in 400 A.D. The rock formation, smoothed over time by the strong Pacific waves, presents a panoramic link between the sea horizon and Mt. Iraya.
- Vayang Rolling Hills
These are seemingly endless waves of rolling hills which boasts of the perfect combination of landscapes and seascapes which can be enjoyed from afar but is best experiences when explored on foot. The site is the best vintage point for an unhampered view of the province’s three major islands.
- Basco Lighthouse in Naidi Hills
An old sitio derived from the Ivatan words “Na” which means past and “Idi” which means settlement or community. Located here are the American-era wireless telegraph facilities which were bombed by Japan during World War II. One can also get a breathtaking view of the town atop the hilltop 66-feet lighthouse.
- Chawa View Deck
A perfect spot to enjoy Batanes sunset facing the West Philippine Sea where one can descend more than a hundred steps down the adjacent cliff to fish, take pictures, or frolic in the waters.
- Mahatao Boat Shelter Port
Mahatao Boat Shelter Port is located in Mahatao, Batanes. A man-made refuge inaugurated in 2007 to keep most of the boats in Batan safe during bad weather. The province is usually bombarded by strong typhoons specially during the southwest and northeast monsoon seasons.
- Tayid Lighthouse
Erected in 2000, this colonial-looking beacon offers a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocean, as well as other parts of Batan Island and its rugged mountain cliffs facing the West Philippine Sea.
- Racuh a Payaman / Marlboro Hills
Christened by American tourists as Marlboro Country because of its contour, the endless rolling hills, wind-swept communal pasturelands for cows, carabaos and horses are perfect sceneries for nature lovers and photographers.
- Madangay, Nakanmuan
- House of Dakay
Probably the most photographed Ivatan house, it was built of lime and stone in 1887 and owned by Luisa Estrella who bequeathed it to her favorite nephew, Jose “Dakay” Estrella. A survivor of the destructive earthquake of September 13, 1918 which has destroyed much of the town, its shutters and floor have never been changed and has retained much of its authentic look through the decades.
- Honesty Coffee Shop
An unmanned refreshment store which has become famous worldwide for showcasing Ivatan’s honesty. There is no standby seller, the owners rely on the honesty of its customers when paying for goods taken from the store.
- Spanish Bridge
Located in the heart of the town, this was constructed and formed part of the main road of Ivana during the Spanish period as the road leads to the doorstep of the Church. It is still being used to date by people and trucks alike.
DAY 2 (April 30, 2016)
“Sabtang Island”
Sabtang is a sixth class municipality in the province of Batanes, Philippines. According to the 2010 census, it had a population of 1,465 people.
Sabtang is the southernmost island municipality of the Batanes island group which is composed primarily of Sabtang Island, as well as two nearby smaller and uninhabited islands: Ivuhos and Dequey. The municipality is known for its lighthouse and the old stone houses of the Ivatan villages of Chavayan and Savidug. Like Batan Island to the north, Sabtang also has a few Mission-style churches and white sand beaches.
- Conscience Cafe & Souvenirs
Father Danee has turned the convent’s bodega into a souvenir shop he calls Conscience Café, which operates like Elene Gabilo’s Honesty Coffee Shop in Ivana. Customers write what they buy on a ledger, and put their payment in a box.
Father Danee’s café raises funds to support the parish’s scholars and pay its electricity and water bills. It opened last May and offers coffee and souvenir items. With the support of the National Heritage Commission and the National Commission on Culture and the Arts, Father Danee wants the store to undergo further improvement.
- Sabtang Church (San Vicente Ferrer Church)
San Vicente Ferrer Church, also known as Sabtang Church, is a Roman Catholic church located near Sabtang Port in Sabtang, Batanes, Philippines. Originally a small chapel in 1785 when the Sabtang mission first opened by the Dominicans, the church underwent few modifications until 1984. A short distance to the right of the church’s façade stands a pedestal with a stone statue of Saint Vincent Ferrer, the patron saint of the parish and of the municipality.
The church, convent and site of the beaterio was declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines in 2008.
- Savidug Village
A village which abounds in traditional houses, it is the site where the endangered black face spoonbill was sighted years ago and continues to fly in the area.
- Chamatad Cove & Tinyan Viewpoint
Like in Batan Island’s Marlboro Country (Racuh a Payaman), a foot trail takes visitors across rolling hills to a viewing area. Rocky cliffs rising from the slopes of the hills, creating natural frames for the fantastic vista of Chamantad Cove.
- Sabtang Weavers Association
You’ll see here some weavers of “vakul”. A vakul is a headgear designed to protect the wearer from sun and rain. It is made from abaca fiber of the vuyavuy palm.
- Chavayan Village
A visit to Batanes is incomplete without immersing oneself in this village, the cradle of Ivatan culture and heritage. Famous for its rows of old houses, narrow streets, and old sires, Chavayan is likely what will leave lasting memories on your visit.
- Chavayan Chapel
Chavayan Chapel, the only church in Batanes still roofed with cogon grass, is a stone’s throw away fromt he shore and it makes you feel closes to God in this solemn remote place.
- Morong Beach, Manayaw Arch, Nakabuang Cave
One of the iconic and most photographed spots in Batanes because of its rock arch formation in a beach cove, and is an ideal site for picnic, snorkeling and camping.
- Yaru Gallery and Art Shop
The Yaru Gallery and Art shop is the first and sole Art gallery in Batanes.
- Casa Napoli
DAY 3 (May 1, 2016)
“Pyesta sa Ivana + FREE TIME”
- Tawsen
- San Jose el Obrero Church
Built in 1784 by Fr. Jose Fausto de Cuevas, it is the only church in Batan with separate belltower constructed 30 years later. The present facade was built by Fr. Fabian Martin in 1866-1869. Located by the coastal area, it is here where Katipunero revolutionaries commanded by Captian Perea landed on September 18, 1898 to liberate the province from the Spaniards.
- Basco Proper
DAY 4 (May 2, 2016)
“It’s time to go home”
Last day na namin today. 7:15 AM ang flight namin pabalik sa Manila. Sobrang saya ng 3 days adventure dito sa Batanes. Truly BREATHTAKING!
Kahit na sa araw na ito, papasok pa sa work yung mga friends ko (since 1st week of the month), baon namin ang lahat ng memories and experiences that we had. Babalik pa ulit kami dito. Pupunta pa kaming ITBAYAT! Abangan ang susunod kong blog post pagbalik sa Batanes 😀
On behalf of my gorgeous friends, Janine and Noreen, gusto kong magpasalamat sayo Rj sa pagsama mo sa amin dito sa inyo and sa pag tour samin sa dalawang islands. Maraming salamat din to Rj’s Family (Ate Mary, Kuya Jerry, sa mama, lola, sa ibang mga kapatid ni Rj at kamag-anak) for your hospitality and sa masasarap na pagkain na pinatikim ninyo sa amin. Babalik kami! See you again soon!
Tunay ngang napakaganda ng mga larawang aking pinakita. Ngunit ito’y di hamak na mas maganda, kung ang mga mata mo mismo ang makakakita. 🙂
Buy more experiences and less stuff.
DIOS MAMAJES, BATANES! 🙂
Life With No Regrets 