Batanes – Land of the True Insulares
The northernmost and smallest province in the country is composed of 10 island: Mavudis (Yami), Misanga, Ditarem, Siayan, Itbayat, Dinem, Batan, Sabtang, Ivuhos, and Diadekey. Only Itbayat, Batan, and Sabtang are inhabited.
This serene province is dubbed as the ‘Land of the True Insulares’ because the Ivatans have kept the purity of their gene pool through time. They are said to be descendants of immigrants from Formosa, Taiwan and the Spaniards who came to the island in the 16th century.
Demographics
1. Population - 15,
794 (as of 2007 Census)
2. Land Area -209.3 sq. km
3. Capital - Basco
4. Language/Dialect - Ivatan, Ilocano, English, and
Filipino
5. Divisions
Municipalities (6)
Ivatans
Known as the “True Insulares”, the natives
of Batanes have traced their roots to the immigrants
from Formosa, Taiwan and the Spaniards who came to the
island in the 16th century. An Ivatan is usually seen
wearing the suot, a special type of headgear made from
natural fiber that reach down to the back of the wearer.
Lime and
Stone Houses
The houses in Batanes are built with thick walls of
stone and lime. The roof, on the other hand, is composed
of cogon.
Garlic
Garlic from Batanes is said to be superior in quality
and flavor.
Honest Café
Perhaps the only one of its kind in the country and
probably the world, the café tests the honesty
of its customers as they purchase their products.
Cultural
Ruins of Songsong
Location: Batan Island, Batanes
Songsong was once an inhabited place in the island.
Now, it is a ‘ghost barangay’ and the ruins
are the only survivors of the great tidal wave that
hit the island in the 1950’s.
Lime and Stone houses and Churches
Location: All over Batanes
The houses in Batanes are built with thick walls of
stone and lime. The roof, on the other hand, is composed
of cogon. These traditional two-storey houses were built
around 1795 by masons, stone cutters, and carpenters
from the Province of Cagayan.
Historical
Old Loran
Station
Location: Basco, Batanes
The structure was once a US Coastguard detachment center
which the Americans used for almost two decades.
Radiwan Point
Location: Ivana Seaport, Ivana, Batanes
The seaport was used as a landing site of the Katipuneros
in September 18, 1898. It is also the ferry station
of the falowas plying the islands of Sabtang and Itbayat.
Man-made
Kanyunan
Beach and Port
Location: Baluarte Bay, Basco, Batanes
This is the port of call of cargo ships from Manila
that bring good and supplies to the island province.
Radar Tukon
Location: Basco, Batanes
It one housed a United States weather station. Now it
is the site of the last weather station in the north,
the Basco Radar Station. With its height, it offers
visitor a 360 degree view of the province. Including
the South China Sea and Pacific Ocean.
Batanes Lighthouses
Location: Mahatao and Naidi Hills, Basco, Batanes
These lighthouses offer a panoramic view of the whole
island of Batan and nearby islands. These lighthouses
are still operational and are well-maintained by the
government.
Honest Café
Location: Brgy. Radiwan, Ivana, Batanes
It is a typical Filipino sari-sari store (grocery store)
and coffee shop. What is special about it is the store
has no guard, cashier, or anyone to serves the customers.
The customers themselves get what they want, prepare
it, and honestly pay for whatever they consumed.
Natural
Sabtang Island
Location: Sabtang Island, Batanes
The island is, up to now, remain undisturbed and unspoiled.
In 1994, the Department of Tourism has included the
island in the 12 Best Destinations in the Philippines.
It has white sand beaches, steep mountains, and deep
canyons.
Mount Iraya
Location: Basco, Batanes
It is a dormant volcano standing at 1,517 meters whose
last eruption was recorded in 505 AD. It is ideal for
mountain climbing, trekking, and trailblazing.
Chawa Cave
Location: Mahatao, Batanes
It has a natural salt bed and a mouth that opens to
the South China Sea. The Ivatans believe that the cave
is enchanted.
Mt. Matarem
Location: Brgy. San Vicente, Ivana, Batanes
The Ivatan word matarem means ‘steep’. The
mountain not only has rugged contours, but the trails
are quirt steep, filled with tricky trails, unusually
shaped trees, and wealthy flora and fauna.
Religious
San Jose
Church
Location: Ivana, Batanes
This is the only church in Batanes that was not built
in the espadaña style. It has a crenellated fortress-like
bell tower that gives the appearance of a fortification.
Sto Domingo
de Basco Church (Basco Cathedral)
Location: Basco, Batanes
It is the oldest church in the island province, dating
back in 1783. To protect the church against typhoon
and earthquakes, the walls were buttressed with massive
pilasters from foundation to top.
San Carlo
Borromeo Church and Convent
Location: Mahatao, Batanes
The façade of the church and convent is similar
to the Basco Cathedral. On its outer walls are massive
buttresses that used to serve as stairways to the roof
which needed constant repair when the island is hit
by typhoons.
Palo-palo
Festival
Place: Basco, Batanes
Date: August 4 - 5
The feast recant the history of Batanes when the Ivatans
fought the Spanish and Dutch invaders using the palo-palo
or the arnis stick
By Air
There are two airstrips in the province; the domestic
airport in Basco, and another airstrip for light
aircraft in Itbayat.
By Sea
The Batanes Multi-Purpose Cooperative now carries
the MV Ivatan Princess which runs the Currimao,
Ilocos Norte - Basco, Batanes route. Travel time
is 18 hours.