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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)
- Basco
- Itbayat
- Ivana
- Mahatao
- Sabtang
- Uyugan
Famous For ...
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.
Places Of Interest
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.
Festivals
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
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