Discover more about Batanes

1. B A T A N E S
By: Kristen Mae S. Bugahod

2. Batanes
• The island province of Batanes is the smallest
province of the Philippines with a land area of
230 square kilometers and was created by a
series of volcanic activities and other geologic
fores when Mt. Iraya erupted around 325 BC.
Batanes lies at the northernmost tip of the
Philippines where the Pacific Ocean merges
with the South China Sea. It is compose of
three major islands namely, “Batan” which
contains the capital town of “Basco”, “Sabtang”,
“Itbayat”. Batanes has been identified as the
country’s potential getaway to East China.

3. Ivatan
• The Ivatan are the people who live in
Batanes. The Ivatans are a Filipino
ethnolinguistic group predominant in the
island of Batanes. Their ethnogenesis is
unclear, their origins remain untraced among
scholars, but they are know to be an
Austronesian group, related to neighboring
Ilocanos on purely linguistic basis. They
share cultural and linguistic similarity with
Taiwanese. Spanish ancestry also runs in
their blood. The Ivatan dialect are different
from any other in the Philippines.

4. Ivatan Culture and Tradition
• The culture of Ivatans is partly influenced by
the environmental condition of Batanes.
Unlike the old-type nipa huts common in the
Philippines, Ivatans have adopted their now-
famous stone houses made of limestone,
designed to protect against the hostile
climate. One of their traditions are wearing
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.
The Ivatan have legends called kabbata.

5. Source of Livelihood and Import/Export
Products
The main source of livelihood for the Ivatans
are cattle raising, fishing, and root crop
plantation (garlic, sweet potato, etc.). Sugar
cane are also harvested to produce local wine
(Palek) and Vinegar.

6. F I S H I N G
• Fishing is one of the
main sources of
livelihood in Batanes.
The fishermen enjoy
this relaxing view from
“Diura Fishing Village”
daily.
FISHING

7. F A R M I N G
• Farming is also one of
the main sources of
livelihood in Batanes
for their everyday food.
Batanes is also eyed
as PH source of
organic beef “tapa” for
export.FARMING

8. The Tourist Spots in
Batanes
Batanes is well known because of their breathtaking tourist spots. It is
also called as “Home of the Winds”. Here are some of the must-visit
sights that show the amazing beauty of Batanes.

9. Basco Lighthouse
• The six-story-tall lighthouse is one
of Basco’s most renowned
landmarks. Together with the
lighthouses of Sabtang and
Mahatao’s towns, it was
constructed by the former
congressman of Batanes. Basco
Lighthouse was the first to be
finished in 2003. it is located in
Naidi Hills in Barangay San
Antonio, the lush green hills and the
open sea provide a beautiful
backdrop for the lighthouse. The
place can be easily be reached by a
1.2-km (3/4 mile) hike from the port
of Basco.

10. Diura Fishing Village
• Not far from the Mahatao
town proper is the Diura
Village. The community’s
primary livelihood is fishing
and to kick off the beginning
of fishing season, its
members perform the age-
old ritual they call
kapayvanuvanu in the
hopes of bountiful catch.

11. San Carlos Borromeo Church
• San Carlos Borromeo Church also
known as Mahatao Church is a
Roman Catholic church located in
Mahatao, Batan Island, Batanes,
Philippines. The church’s titular is
Saint Charles Borromeo whose feast
is celebrated every November 4.
Mahatao’s Parish Church is declared
as a Natural Cultural Treasure in
2001 due to its architectural prowess
and impressive state of preservation.
Built during the Spanish colonial era,
it is made of stone and lime and set
in the Baroque architecture style.

12. House of Dakay
• If you want to see the oldest stone house
ever to be constructed in the entire
province, House of Dakay is worth
visiting. The House of Dakay is the oldest
house that has been living on for so
many years. It is situated in the small
town of San Jose De Ivana in Batan
Island, Batanes. This traditional structure
is considered as a heritage treasure of
Batanes. This particular stone structure
cannot be found anywhere in the
Philippines. It is designed to be firm,
providing shelter that will last from storm
and strong winds in the island which is
located along the typhoon belt.

13. Honesty Coffee Shop
• Batanes’ best known example
if it’s low crime rate is the
Honesty Coffee shop. This
novelty café does not have
any cashier or staff and
instead banks on people’s
honesty to pay for the coffee
and goods that they got from
the store. Honesty Coffee
Shop is a one of a kind store
located in Ivana, Batanes.
This coffee shop was
originally named Honesty
Cafe in 1998 while some local
residents call it Honesty
Store.

14. Rakuh A Payaman (Marlboro Hills)
• Featuring rolling grasslands and
an amazing view of the coast,
Rakuh A Payaman is one of the
most beautiful sights in Batanes.
It is often referred to as Marlboro
Hills or Marlboro Country by
many locals and travelers

15. Fundacion Pacita
• Pacita Abad is a world-renowned
painter who hails from Basco.
Fundacion Pacita was once her home
studio and is now a hotel. Adorned by
her artworks as well as of other artists,
the homey accommodation sits atop a
hill and gives way to an amazing
landscape and seascape
view. Fundacion Pacita is designed to
promote the traditional Ivatan houses in
Batanes and continues to strongly
support the local community from its
exquisite cuisine to various projects
that benefit Ivatan artists and heritage-
conservation initiatives.

16. Tukon Church
• This small but beautiful church was constructed by local
artisans in the style of the traditional Ivatan stone house.
Also known as Mt. Carmel Church, its façade and
interiors are adorned by religious artworks that were
crafted by local artists. Batanes, also called as the home
of the winds, is a place where one can truly feel God’s
whisper. It is a place where beauty and tranquility
meets. The province of Batanes houses several
churches that one can religiously fall in love. One of the
churches that you should not miss upon going to
Batanes is the Mt. Carmel Church which is popularly
known as Tukon Chapel. The design of the lovely Tukon
chapel was based on the traditional Ivatan stone
houses. It is a project spearheaded by the influential
Abad family and nearby communities so they don’t need
to travel far away to go to a church.The roof of the
chapel is made of concrete red bricks and on its ceiling,
one will be amazed of the prepossessing painting of
different municipal saints which are painted by well-
skilled Ivatan artists.

17. Batanes instantly took my breath away. I was amazed by its graceful charm and
hoping that one day, I will be able to see Batanes up close this soon.
Batanes has always been on my list of go-to places here in the Philippines. With its
majestic views, greenery, the commonly experienced wind-slashing and ear-
buzzing weather, delicious local Ivatan specialties, plus all the amazing photos that
you see of this incredible province, it is definitely a place I’ve always wanted to see.
This focus for nature lovers is an archipelago province in the Cagayan Valley
region. It is the northernmost province in the country and also the smallest in
population and land area with three inhabited islands. Despite its loneliness and
limited land area, Batanes is home to vibrant and distinct cultures and heritage as
well as to rich ecosystems, biodiversity and dazzling landscapes. I encourage
everyone to visit Batanes but I really hope that those who have plans to visit
Batanes, let’s do our best to keep Batanes as beautiful as it is now, for as long as
possible. That’ts the least we can do. See you real soon, Batanes!