If the Philippines were a huge dysfunctional household as well as each province were a person, you’ll discover Batanes to be the oddest in the group. At that huge household reunion, she’s that a person youngster not joining the celebration or the ruckus or whatever the hell is happening at the primary table. Manila as well as her sisters may be flaunting one more promotion, Davao stays great as well as makes sure things are in order, Palawan effortlessly draws interest for her natural beauty, however Batanes stays unbothered. She stands by the window, most likely speaking to herself again.
Batanes is the one everybody is so curious about as well as fascinated by, however is just as well elusive. When you do discover her as well as sit down with her, she tells you unusual tales about amazing things. “What do you imply crabs that can open coconuts? What do you imply ‘a store without any staff’? What the hell is zero criminal offense rate?” Yet even when you don’t completely purchase her absurd stories, you still can’t get sufficient of them since she’s rather a charmer.
But when you join her, you’ll see that her wanderings are not a flight of fancy.
Beautiful Batanes
Batanes is the smallest province in the Philippines, with only six municipalities as well as three occupied islands. It is likewise the northernmost, even better to Taiwan than mainland Luzon. however it is its place that shaped practically whatever about it. caught in between the restless West Philippine Sea as well as the Pacific Ocean, the birthplace as well as incubator of the most significant storms on the planet, the people of Batanes have discovered to adapt to the severe environment. Oddly, these hostile conditions have turned out to breed the gentlest, many hospitable however withstanding cultures in the Philippines.
Here are a few of the things you may discover curious as well as refreshing in lovely Batanes.
1. It is windy. Like, really.
The landscapes as well as seascapes are breathtaking. however if you ever stand on top of one of a hill or a cliff in Batanes, try your finest not to be blown away. Literally. By the wind.
Sabtang Lighthouse
Many parts of their culture are shaped by the winds — strong, playful, at times mischievous. The roaring winds pushed the Ivatans to develop stone homes that can withstand the mightiest storms from the Pacific once again as well as again. The severe winds made them ideal the science as well as art of boat-making.
2. Tataya as well as Faluwa
Tataya dory boats at Valugan Beach
Faluwa, conventional Ivatan boat
While outrigger canoes are rather typical right here on earth (aka Manila), they show to be a bit disadvantageous in the fantasy world of Batanes. It isn’t truly “fantastic.” It’s not unusual for seafarers to utilize outrigger-free boats in rough, turbulent seas. as well as provided exactly how fierce the waters right here can become, they are the wisest option for locals. It was just that the concept of outrigger-free boats in harmful waters is rather new as well as astonishing for a city trick like me.
The tataya is the Ivatan dory, a lightweight, shallow-draft boat that can quickly roll with the waves particularly when fishing. They can determine from four to seven meters. The faluwa (or fallowa) is bigger as well as can fit 20-40 passengers.
Boatmaking is an integral part of the Ivatan culture. It is believed that the early Ivatans who occupied the islands crossed the seas on these boats as well as landed right here many most likely from Taiwan. The boatmaking aesthetic of the people of Orchid Island, Taiwan, function striking similarities.
3. Liveng, Batanes Hedgerows
Tayid Lighthouse
One thing you’ll notice as you make your method across the province’s numerous hills is the labyrinthine network of hedges that run around farms as well as pasturelands. It’s like a verdant web spun by a huge god of agriculture. They are called the liveng, implied to safeguard crops from incessant blows by the wind. The liveng is typically developed by planting shrubs, bamboos, or little trees. It likewise avoids soil erosion as well as serves as monument of their farm lots.
4. Vakul as well as Talugong for a cooler Head
A regional lady using vakul on top of a hat.
The vakul as well as talugong are unique Ivatan headgears. (Vakul for women, talugong for men.) It is used to safeguard the head from both the rain as well as the sun when they work in the field. It is made of the fiber of the vuyavuy (voyavoy) palm, which keeps the inside cooler even under the sun. (This is a great souvenir, by the way. You’ll discover some up for sale at the Honesty shop as well as in Chavayan, Sabtang Island. expense is P500 if I’m not mistaken.)
5. The conventional Houses
House of Dakay, the oldest conventional stone home in Ivana, is a maytuab.
Three kinds of conventional homes flank the streets as well as foot tracks in Batanes: maytuab, sinadumparan, as well as jinjin. only the very first two function walls made from stone as well as lime. The primary difference is the roof. Maytuab is topped with a four-sloped roofing system as well as sinadumparan two-sloped. Both roofs are made from thatched cogon grass. The other type is the jinin, which developed from wood as well as covered practically completely with thatched cogon grass.
These homes of Batanes are not just for show. Locals really online in these conventional homes even as much as now. In Chavayan as well as Savidug, you’ll discover an entire village composed of these structures.
It was Spain who introduced the process of building these houses. The Ivatans resided in little cogon homes in the highlands up until 1686 when the Spaniards required them to relocation to the lowlands. The colonizers taught the locals exactly how to utilize lime to bind stones. They likewise utilized thicker layers of cogon turf for the roof.
When building or repairing a stonehouse, members of the neighborhood join as well as help. It is understood as kayvayvanaan, which actually implies friendship in the vernacular. The bayanihan spirit is to life as well as kicking in Batanes!
6. Boulders, Boulders Everywhere!
Valugan Beach
The walls of conventional homes are not the only location where you’ll see these boulders. You’ll discover “beachfuls” of them in the north of Batan Island. The Valugan beach in the east as well as Chadpidan beach in the west are full of boulders, andesite rocks spewed by Mt. Iraya, an active volcano just around the corner. (It’s the most dominant land function in the province; you won’t miss it.)
7. Coconut crabs
The coconut crab, locally understood as tatus, is the largest land-living arthropod in the world (which does not make them a seafood), so called since they can really open coconuts. however before you conjure in your head an picture of a huge crab with large claws cracking open a human skull, understand that they do it extremely methodically as well as commonly extremely slowly (some take days). They can climb a coconut tree as well as with its pincers cut off a fruit. If the coconut does not open when it accidents to the ground, it will peel off the husk to expose the shell. It will then punch the shell’s “soft spot” as well as make the little hole bigger over time.
They are the most sought-after delicacy in Batanes! Unfortunately, they are already a THREATENED SPECIES. as well as according to the Bureau of Fisheries as well as Aquatic Resources, taking or catching them is ILLEGAL.
We didn’t understand about this during the trip as well as were told it was alright as long as it is consumed within Batanes. It appeared okay, too, since they are still served at some restaurants as well as are even provided to tourists by guides as well as trip operators. however it would be finest if you don’t have them for a meal. Let’s let them reproduce to healthy numbers as well as save their species.
Besides, there is a excellent alternative: Payi (aka lobsters)! Lobsters are not threatened as well as are amazingly affordable in Batanes. They are not always offered to walk-in customers. let the restaurant understand in advance so they might (catch, purchase and) prepare them for you.
8. flying Fish
Dibang (flying fish) is one more delicacy that is rather prominent among Ivatans. flying fish abound in the waters of Batanes particularly during summer, the fishing season. The Bureau of Fisheries as well as Aquatic resources have began training locals in establishing it as a pasalubong product for tourists.
9. Itbayat, the Island without any Beach
The island of Itbayat poses a difficulty for seafarers who try to land their boats. It has no beach, sandy or otherwise, only rocky cliffs. however the Ivatan ingenuity continues to impress. A number of guy work together to make sure that every boat lands safely. much more about that here.
How do you get off the boat onto the shore if there is no beach? Well, like this:
One of the most essential sites is Torongan Cave, an ancient settlement ground as well as is believed to where the very first Austronesians who shown up from Taiwan landed around 2000 BC.
Itbayat is the northernmost municipality in the Philippines as well as is stated to delight in four seasons.
10. Dios Mamajes, Vatanes Batanes
V for Vatanes! For a native Tagalog speaker like me, seeing as well as hearing a great deal of V’s in a Philippine language is mighty refreshing. Ivatan is one of the Batanic languages. It is a unique Austronesian language different from the northern Luzon languages as well as Formosan languages (despite its proximity to Taiwan).
Within my very first hour in Batanes, I encountered numerous indications with the words “Dios Mamajes.” I was told even before the trip that it means, “Thank you,” however I wondered what it actually meant. I presumed Dios can be equated to God. part of the Spaniards’ very first purchase ofcompany in Batanes was to convert the inhabitants to Christianity; they did. The province embraced the new religious beliefs as well as its influences seeped into numerous elements of their lives, including the language.
Apparently, Dios Mamajes implies “God will repay.” It’s their method of showing gratitude. Leave it to the Ivatans to turn easy words, like “thanks”, into poetry. Such a beauty.
How to get to Batanes: Philippine Airlines flies to Basco, Batanes! You may inspect their rates as well as book your flight at www.philippineairlines.com.
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