Welcome To Batanes!
Welcome To Batanes!
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The Philippines' northernmost and smallest province, Batanes is one of the most sought-after tourism wilderness destinations located at the intersection of the West Philippine Sea (South China Sea) and Pacific Ocean.
Dubbed as "Nature's Playground", the province has been announced by the government as a Protected Landscape and Seascape because of its rare fauna and flora, undulating terrain, diverse ocean life, limestone cliffs, and encompassing sceneries. It boasts of extends of white and cream colored shorelines and clear water.
Composed of 10 islands, with only three inhabited (Batan, Itbayat and Sabtang) while islets of Dinem, Siayan, Ditarem, Misanga, Mavudis, Dequey, and Vuhus are uninhabited. It has six muncipalities - Basco, Mahatao, Ivana, and Uyugn (located in Batan), and the island towns of Sabtang and Itbayat. Batanes's tourist icon is its Ivatan indigenous house made up of stone, coral and lime walls, hardwood floors and windows, and cogon roofs. The province's other postcard-worthy images are its farolas of lighthouses, Spanish-era churches and grazing hills with literally breath-taking views of waves crashing the shores.
The provincial capital town, Basco is the gateway and hub of commerce and transport of the province with the presence of the airport which flies to Manila and Tuguegarao City, Cagayan. From here, tourists can go around the other-towns in Batan island.
Batanes is nearer to Taiwan, which is about 190 kilometers north, than mainland Luzon which is 280 kilometers away from Aparri, the northernmost tip of mainland Luzon.
What makes Batanes Special?
What makes Batanes Special?
Batanes is the only province in the Philippines declared in its entirety as a Protected Landscape and Seascape area by the following:
RA 7586, NIPAS Act of 1992
The Ivatans are indigenous peoples governed and protected by the IPRA Law of 1997
RA 8991 in 2000
In 2010, Batanes was declared by DA and DOH as a Rabies Free Zone and was awarded by the National Nutrition Council in 2012. A seal of Good Housekeeping was also awarded to the province by DILG in 2011.
The Honesty Store
The Honesty Store
Photo by: The poor traveler
Photo Link: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/80501912064479103/
Honesty is the best policy!
Honesty Cafe aka Honesty Coffee Shop is a one of a very special and well known store located in Ivana, Batanes. This genuine coffee shop was initially named Honesty Cafe in 1998 whereas a few local residents call it Honesty Store.
Photo by: Melo Villareal
Photo Link: https://outoftownblog.com/batanes-honesty-coffee-shop/
Do you know what makes this Ivatan sari-sari store special?
No one looks after the products so each customer can do anything inside the store.
Everyone is expected to be genuine, the store owners trust and believe the people enough to permit them to list the items they bought along with its true price and then leave the payment in a drop box. You can find an interesting sign on the wall that says “This store is too small for dishonest people,”.
Weather: Even during summer, weather in Batanes is relatively cooler than the rest of the Philippines. The coolest months are from December to March where temperatures fall below 10 degrees, Dry months are from late March to June.
Religion: Approximately 97% of the Ivatans are Roman Catholics and they appreciate visitors observing conservative dress code whenever they enter their churches.
There are no specific greetings for any specific time of the day. Older men and women are your “Uncles” and “Aunts” in Batanes. It is an accepted way to say hello. “Kapian ka pa nu Dios” is also used as greeting any time of the day.
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