BATANES

by: Krislee Mhel M. Billiones

HISTORY
• The ancestors of today's Ivatans descended from Austronesians who
migrated to the islands 4,000 years ago during the Neolithic period.
They lived in fortified mountain areas called idjangs and drank sugar-
cane wine, or palek. They also used gold as currency and produced a
thriving agriculture-based industry. They were also seafarers and boat-
builders.
• In 1687, a crew of English freebooters headed by William Dampier
came with a Dutch crew and named the islands in honour of their
country's nobility. Itbayat was named "Orange Isle" after William of
Orange, and Batan was named "Grafton Isle" after Henry FitzRoy, 1st
Duke of Grafton. Sabtang Isle was named "Monmouth Isle" after James
Scott, 1st Duke of Monmouth. Capt. Dampier stayed for less than three
months, and did not claim the islands for the British crown.
• In 1783, the Spanish claimed Batanes as part of the Philippines under
the auspices of Governor-General José Basco y Vargas. The Bashi
Channel was increasingly used by English East India Company ships
and the Spanish authorities brought the islands under their direct
administration to prevent them falling under British control. The Ivatan
remained on their idjangs, or mountain fortresses for some time. In
1790, Governor Guerrero decreed that Ivatans were to live in the
lowlands and leave their remote idjang. The mangpus, the indigenous
Ivatan leader of the islands during that time, made a revolution against
the Spaniards afterwards. With much ammunition and steel armors, the
Spanish authorities quelled the uprising, effectively subjugating the
rebels. Basco and Ivana were the first towns established under full
Spanish control
• Mahatao was then administered by Basco, while Uyugan and Sabtang,
by Ivana. Itbayat was not organized until the 1850s, its coast being a
ridge. Soon, Ilocanos came to the islands and integrated with the local
population. Roads, ports, bridges, churches and government buildings
were built in this time. Limestone technology used by the Spanish was
also spread to the islands, making bridges strong and fortified. Some of
these bridges still remain at Ivana and Mahatao. By 1890, many Ivatans
were in Manila, and became ilustrados, who then brought home with
them the revolutionary ideas of the Katipunan. These Ivatans, who were
then discontented with Spanish rule, killed the ruling General Fortea
and declared the end of Spanish rule.
• Toward the end of the Spanish administration, Batanes was made a
part of Cagayan. In 1909, the new American authorities organized it
into an independent province. During the American colonial period,
additional public schools were constructed and more Ivatan became
aware of their place in the Philippines. In 1920, the first wireless
telegraph was installed, followed by an airfield in 1930. New roads
were constructed and the Batanes High School was instituted.
• Because of their strategic location, the islands was one of the first
points occupied by invading Japanese imperial forces at the
outbreak of the Pacific War. The morning of December 8, 1941, the
Batan Task Force from Taiwan landed on the Batan Islands, which
became the first American territory occupied by the Japanese. The
purpose of the invasion was to secure the existing small airfield
outside Basco, which was accomplished without resistance.
Japanese fighters from Basco took part in the raid on Clark Air Base
the following day.
• One of the first School Superintendents on Batan was Victor de
Padua, an Ilocano, who in 1942–45 during the Japanese
occupation was made Provincial Governor. Early in 1945 the
island was liberated by the Philippine Commonwealth forces of
the 1st and 12th Infantry Division of the Philippine
Commonwealth Army. In 1984, Pacita Abad, the foremost Ivatan
visual artist, became the first woman to be awarded the Ten
Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) award, breaking 25 years of
male dominance. In her acceptance speech, she said, "it was
long overdue that Filipina women were recognized, as the
Philippines was full of outstanding women” and referred proudly
to her mother.
• A Sinadumparan Ivatan house, one of the oldest structures in
the Batanes islands. The house is made of limestone and coral
and its roofing of cogon grass.
• In 1993, the Batanes Protected Landscape and Seascape,
which encompassed the entire province, was listed in the
Tentative List of the Philippines for UNESCO World Heritage
Site inscription in the future. In 1997, the Indigenous Peoples
Rights act or IPRA was passed in Philippine Congress. the law
paved the way for the indigenous territorial rights of the Ivatans.
The province has since promoted its Ivatan roots. Part of the
Ilocano population has returned to mainland Luzon. In
December 7, 2004, Pacita Abad died after finishing her last
international art work while suffering from cancer.
GEOGRAPHY
• The province has a total area of 219.01 square kilometres
(84.56 sq mi) comprising ten islands situated within the Luzon
Strait between the Balintang Channel and Taiwan. The islands
are sparsely populated and subject to frequent typhoons. The
three largest islands, Batan, Itbayat, and Sabtang, are the only
inhabited islands.
• The northernmost island in the province, also the northernmost
land in the entire Philippines, is Mavulis (or Y'ami) Island. Other
islands in the chain are Misanga (or North), Ditarem, Siayan,
Diogo (or Dinem), Ivuhos, and Dequey. The islands are part of
the Luzon Volcanic Arc.
• Batanes Islands lies at the tip of the Philippines, where the Pacific ocean
merge with the South China Sea. It is 270 km north of Aparri, the
nearest point in Luzon, about 8000 km from Manila and 224 km from the
southern tip if Taiwan. This province is bounded by the Bashi Channel
on the south, the Philippine Sea/Pacific Ocean on the East and the
South China Sea on the West.
• Owing to its high potential for large-scale commercial production of fish
and fishery products on top of its pristine beauty and unique cultural
heritage, Batanes shall be the region’s “Marine Fishery and Eco-Tourism
Core”.
Topography
• Almost one-half of Batanes is hills and mountains. Batan Island is
generally mountainous on the north and southeast. It has a basin in the
interior. Itbayat Island slopes gradually to the west, being mountainous
and hilly along its northern, eastern coast. As for Sabtang, mountains
cover the central part, making the island slope outward to the coast.
• The islands are situated between the vast expanse of the waters of
Bashi Channel and Balintang Channel, where the Pacific Ocean merges
with the China Sea. The area is a sea lane between the Philippines and
Japan, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan. It is rich with marine resources,
including the rarest sea corals in the world
Climate
• Batanes has a tropical climate (Köppen climate classification Am). The
average yearly temperature is 26.0 °C (78.8 °F), and the average
monthly temperature ranges from 22.0 °C (71.6 °F) in January to
28.5 °C (83.3 °F) in July, similar to that of Southern Taiwan.
Precipitation is abundant throughout the year; the rainiest month is
August while the driest month is April. November to February are the
coldest months. There is a misconception that Batanes is constantly
battered by typhoon. Batanes is mentioned frequently in connection with
typhoons, because it holds the northernmost weather station in the
Philippines, thus, it is also a reference point for all typhoons that enter
the Philippine area; however, in September 2016, Typhoon Meranti
impacted the entire province, including a landfall on Itbayat
BATANES
Population (2015 census)[2]
Capital - Basco  • Total 17,246
Towns/Municipalities  • Rank 81st out of 81

• Basco  • Density 79/km2 (200/sq mi)

 • Density rank 73rd out of 81
• Mahato Divisions
• Ivana,  • Independent cities 0
 • Component cities 0
• Uyugan
 • Municipalities 6
• Sabtang,  • Barangays 29
• Itbayat  • Districts Lone district of Batanes
DEMOGRAPHY
• The population of Batanes in the 2015 census was 17,246 people,
with a density of 79 inhabitants per square kilometre or 200
inhabitants per square mile. .
• The natives are called Ivatans and share prehistoric cultural and
linguistic commonalities with the Babuyan on Babuyan Island and
the Tao people of Orchid Island.
• This divided homeland is a result of the Dutch invasion of Taiwan in
1624 (Dutch Formosa) and Spanish invasion in 1626 (Spanish
Formosa). The northern half of the Ivatan homeland, Formosa and
Orchid Island which were formally part of the Viceroyalty of New
Spain, fell to the Dutch who were in turn expelled in 1662 by forces
of the Chinese Southern Ming dynasty, led by the Chinese pirate
Koxinga who then set himself up as The King of Taiwan.
• The southern half of the Ivatan homeland, the islands of
Batanes, was reinforced and fortified by Spanish refugees from
Formosa before being formally joined in the 18th century with
the Spanish government in Manila.
• The main languages spoken in Batanes are Ivatan, which is
spoken on the islands of Batan and Sabtang; Itbayaten, which is
spoken primarily on the island of Itbayat. The Ivatan which is
dominant in the province is considered to be one of the
Austronesian languages. From college level down to elementary
level, the language is widely spoken.
 Population Census
of Batanes
Year Pop. ±% p.a.
1990 15,026 —    
1995 14,180 −1.08%
2000 16,467 +3.26%
2007 15,974 −0.42%
2010 16,604 +1.42%
2015 17,246 +0.72%
Source: Philippine Statistics Authority
Religion
The large majority (94%) of the island's people adhere to Roman Catholicism. The
remaining faiths are other Christian Churches.

• The Santa Maria de Mayan Parish Church, commonly known as the Itbayat
Church is a historic church in Itbayat, Batanes, PhilippinesThe original structure
of the Santa Maria de Mayan Church was made of wood. The original wooden
church was built from 1853 to 1858] and was placed under the patronage of the
Immaculate Conception. The current church building was built by the
Dominicans. The construction of the church building was started during the
administration of Fr. Manuel Blasco in 1872.

• The 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 San Carlos Borromeo Church (Spanish: Iglesia Parroquial de San
Carlos Borromeo), 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.
• The San Jose de Ivana Church, also known as Ivana Church, is a Roman
Catholic church located in Ivana Batanes, Philippines dedicated to Saint
Joseph under the jurisdiction of the Prelature of Batanes. The church was
declared a National Historical Landmark by the National Historical
Commission of the Philippines in 2008.
• Santo Domingo Church, also known as Basco Cathedral, is a Roman
Catholic church located in Basco, Northern Batan Island, Batanes,
Philippines. Because Batanes was named Provincia de la Concepcion in
religious records at the time of its establishment, the first church was
dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, Patroness of Batanes
Prelature.
San Carlos Borromeo Parish Santo Domingo Church
Church

Santa Maria de Mayan Parish

Church

San Jose de Ivana Parish Church

San Vicente de Ferrer Church
ECONOMY
• About 75% of the Ivatans are farmers and fishermen. The rest are
employed in the government and services sector. Garlic and cattle
are major cash crops. Ivatans also plant camote (sweet potato),
cassava, gabi or tuber and a unique variety of white uvi. Sugarcane
is raised to produce palek, a kind of native wine, and vinegar.
• In recent years, fish catch has declined due to the absence of
technical know-how. Employment opportunities are scarce. Most of
the educated Ivatans have migrated to urban centers or have gone
abroad.
• A wind diesel generating plant was commissioned in 2004.
• Distance and bad weather work against its economic growth. Certain
commodities like rice, soft drinks, and gasoline carry a 75% to 100%
mark-up over Manila retail prices.
 PROVINCIAL
GOVERNMENT
 Government
 • Type Sangguniang Panlalawigan
 • Governor Marilou H. Cayco (Liberal)
 • Vice Governor Ignacio C. Villa
 • Representative Ciriaco B. Gato Jr.
 MAJOR
ATTRACTIONS
1. Basco Lighthouse

This six-story-tall lighthouse is one of Basco's most renowned

landmarks. Together with the lighthouses of Sabtang and
Mahatao towns, it was constructed by the former congressman
of Batanes. Basco Lighthouse was the first to be finished in
2003.
2. 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 a bountiful catch. If
you want to witness this amazing ritual performed, you might
want to time your visit in March or April.
3. 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
4. House of Dakay

If you want to see the oldest stone house ever to be constructed

in the entire province, then House of Dakay is worth visiting.
This stone house has retained its original foundation, with its
cogon roof replaced every few decades.
5. Honesty Coffee Shop

Perhaps Batanes' best known example of its 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.
Manmade
• Radar Tukon was a United States weather station on a
hilltop. It offers a magnificent 360-degree view of Batan
Island, the South China Sea, Mt. Iraya, Basco proper,
boulder lined cliffs and the Pacific Ocean. At present, it
houses the northernmost weather station in the Philippines,
the Basco Radar Station, and is only 2.75 kilometres (1.71
miles) from Basco.
• Old Loran Station housed a US Coast Guard detachment for
almost two decades and is about 25 kilometres (16 miles)
from Basco.
• Ruins Of Songsong is a ghost barangay which is a cluster
of roofless shells of old stone houses abandoned after a
tidal wave that hit the island of Batan in the 1950s. It has a
long stretch of beach. The ruins are 23 kilometres (14
miles) from Basco.
• Kanyuyan Beach & Port at Baluarte Bay in Basco is the
port of call of the cargo ships bringing goods from Manila.
• Fundacion Pacita is a lodging house and restaurant, which
was formerly owned by Pacita Abad, the most iconic Ivatan
visual artist. The house has been redecorated and filled
with numerous art works of Pacita Abad after she died in
2004.
 Radar Tukon Old Loren Station

Kanyuyan
Beach and Port

Ruins of Songsong Fundacion Pacita

GASTRONOMY
#1 Uved
• Called as ‘tabtab‘ in Sabtang (one of the 3 inhabited islands in
Batanes), uved or uvud is one of those Ivatan comfort food that you
always miss.
• It’s basically made of finely-grated corm (which is found at the base of
a trunk of a banana plant) that’s mixed with ground meat (beef or
pork), and minced fish. Afterwards, it is seasoned with onion, garlic,
salt and pepper. This will be rolled into balls or served as is and can
either be with or without its broth.
#2 Dibang
• A common fish that you will find in the islands is dibang
or flying fish .
#3 Vunes
• This is a dish that my father used to prepare a lot for
our family. This is made of  preserved gabi (taro) stalks
which could technically last for years.
#4 Payi
• Payi or lobsters are abundant in Batanes, so a
humongous one can be easily bought for as cheap as
Php 150 (or $3).
#5 Luñis
• This is a different version of the popular Filipino
dish, adobo, because luñis is rather served dry.
• Lasting for quite a while, this traditional dish is made of
pork cooked with rock salt until its fat is rendered and it
turns golden brown. Back in the old days, it is stored in
its own lard in jars for months to ensure continuous
supply
CULTURE AND
TRADITION
• Kamanidungan – An association founded by elders to enhance
community life and cooperation, which is usually reserve for difficult
tasks, usually the kapayatep or the replacement of the cogon roofs
where volunteers give their service for free.
• Payuhuan – cooperative farming system where neighbors, relatives
and friends provide free labor for land clearing and planting
• Pitotolongan – cooperative house building system in Itbayat under
similar terms as kamaňidungan, tends to be more organized
• Kayvaynanan – literally means doing things as friends, a more
spontaneous or less organized form of helping during house
construction or planting where neighbors, friends and community
members come unannounced. Popular in Basco.
• Mataw – cooperative fishing for dorado during the months of April –
June; fisherfolks and their passages to the sea are a cleansed
through a ritual at the beginning of the season. An ending ritual
“closes their boat passage.
• Yaru – spontaneous response of community members when called to
render volunteer work during periods of calamities, disasters or when
civil works are undertaken by the community.
• Sustainable Agricultural Practices –     Field rotation, land fallowing
with shrub reforestation – cultivation of adjacent parcels of land, not at
the same time but in sequence over a period of 3-5 years, allowing
the land to rest and regenerate.  
Festivals
Kulay Festival
• If you happen to book around the 2nd week of April with the help of
your travel agent, you are very lucky to witness the “Kulay Festival”
which means, “anything dried” this festival highlights the simple yet
colorful food heritage of the Ivatans.
• The main objective of this 5-day feast is to introduce locally
manufactured and processed food products like dried products
such as onion, garlic, rice, corn and fish among others to local and
foreign tourists visiting their province.
Bayanihan or Payuhuan Festival
• In the Ivatan laguage, “payuhan” stands for cooperation which is truly
evident in this 5-day event every June. In this event, a province-wide
procession is done to recall the route of evangelization. Communities
and schools conduct the Ivatan Olympics to pay tribute to their native
game. Another highlight of this fiesta is the Kanan Nu Kumavahayan or
the Unity Lunch, a government funded celebration for everyone.
Palu-palo Festival
• Held every 1st week of August, it is one of the must-see feasts in the
Philippines. This is the time wherein people get to have a glimpse of
the rich lands of Batanes. It is also the perfect time to have a taste of
their cuisine and discover more about their history. This is a yearly
festival of the Ivatans in Basco, Batanes centers on livelihood and
culture. Coming from the name itself, “palu-palo” it is a stick used by
Ivatans in the past to combat their colonizers.
Vakul-Kanayi Festival
• Sabtang Island just held its first-ever Vakul-Kanayi Festival this year.
Starting from April 25 to 27, activities are made from indigenous outdoor
games and cultural shows to colorful parades and street dancing
competition. Vakul is the headgear worn by women and kanayi are the
vests wrapped on men when they work. It was made from Philippine
date palm and they are still worn up to this day.
FAMOUS PEOPLE
• José Basco y Vargas,1st Count of the Conquest of Batanes
Islands (Spanish: José Basco y Vargas, primer conde de la
conquista de las islas Batanes (1733–1805) was a naval officer
of the Spanish navy who served as the 53rd governor of the
Philippines under the Spanish Empire, from 1778 to 1787. He
was one of the most economic minded governors-general that
served in Spanish ruled Philippines.
• Victor de Padua (1898–1952) was Provincial Governor of the
province of Batanes right after the Japanese occupation of the
Philippines. A member of the Ilocano people, he had
previously been a school superintendent.
• Pacita Abad (October 5, 1946 – December 7, 2004) was an
Ivatan and Filipino visual artist. She was born in Basco,
Batanes, a small island in the northernmost part of the
Philippines, between Luzon and Taiwan. Her more than 30-
year painting career began when she traveled to the United
States to undertake graduate studies. She exhibited her work
in over 200 museums, galleries and other venues, including 75
solo shows, around the world. Abad's work is now in public,
corporate and private art collections in over 70 countries.