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A Deadly Quake Tests Batanes’ Tradition of Resiliency

I was on our farm when the ground began to shake beneath me. I raised my arms to steady myself against the motion. From the rise, the forested hills seemed to sway around me. The narrow cement path I stood on was littered with brush I had just cleared. I was putting in a new irrigation line to reach our fields, recently planted with lettuce, spinach, papaya, and turmeric. I braced my feet and replaced the machete to my hip.

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Published at 2019-08-08 by Puerto Parrot

Categories : Communities, Documentary

Tags: Batanes, Earthquake

15 Interesting Things That Are Uniquely Batanes

The Batanes group of islands is found in the northernmost part of the Philippines where the mighty Pacific Ocean meets the West Philippine Sea. Everyone wants to tick if off from their bucketlist, but it’s never that easy. Airfares are normally expensive, more expensive than a Hongkong trip from Manila, as many would utter. Promo fares from Philippine Airlines and Skyjet do come though, if you are on guard. Flights are also easily cancelled due to the harsh weather.

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Published at 2018-03-04 by Puerto Parrot

Categories : Culture, Travel

Tags: Batanes

For Your Eyes Only: Batanes Coconut Crabs

Coconut crabs, locally known as tatus in Batanes, are capable of opening coconuts – thus the name – by methodically cutting a hole on the coconut shell with its big pincers.

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Published at 2018-03-03 by Puerto Parrot

Categories : Fauna and flora, Travel

Tags: Batanes, coconut

5 Things You Need to See on Your First Batanes Trip

Photoholics, get your cameras ready. There are countless Instagram-worthy places to capture in the northernmost province of the Philippines. To help narrow it down to the essentials, we asked local expert Ryan Lara Cardona to give us the lowdown on absolute must-visits on your first trip to Batanes:

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Published at 2018-03-03 by Puerto Parrot

Categories : Travel

Tags: Batanes, Tourism

Ivatan

Inhabiting the Batanes, a chain of small islands at the northernmost point of the Philippines, were the Ivatans. Of the island chains, only three islands were inhabited: Batan, Itbayat, and Sabtang. The Ivatans of today are considered to be the Christianized surviving group of the ancient people who once inhabited all the islands of Luzon and Taiwan.

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Published at 2018-03-02 by Puerto Parrot

Categories : Communities, Culture, Documentary

Tags: Batanes

Why Sabtang Island is Batanes’ Living Museum

Before I came to Sabtang Island, Batanes, I could picture its rows of stone houses which were built to withstand the harsh weather. The kind of stone houses you’ll see in Batanes are not found elsewhere in the Philippines. This not only shows Ivatan’s ingenious adaptation to their environment but also represent the rich culture that the Ivatans have preserved through the years.

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Published at 2018-02-15 by Puerto Parrot

Categories : Culture, Documentary, History, Travel

Tags: Batanes, Island, Museums, Sabtang

The Delightful Lighthouse of Sabtang, Batanes

Sabtang is a municipality in the province of Batanes. It is the southernmost island town of the Batanes group of island which is primarily composed of Sabtang Island, and two uninhabited islands: Dequey and Ivuhos. It is known for its lighthouse and the traditional old Ivatan houses of Chavayan and Savidug villages. Like the Batan island of the north, Sabtang also houses white sand beaches and mission-style churches.

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Published at 2018-02-15 by Puerto Parrot

Categories : Documentary, History, Travel

Tags: Batanes, Lighthouse, Sabtang

Basco Lighthouse

Basco Lighthouse is a lighthouse in the town of Basco in Batanes, the northernmost province in the Philippines. Located in Naidi Hills in Barangay San Antonio, the lush green hills and the open sea provide a beautiful backdrop for the lighthouse. The place can easily be reached by a 1.2-km (3/4 mile) hike from the Port of Basco.

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Published at 2018-02-15 by Puerto Parrot

Categories : Documentary, History, Travel

Tags: Basco, Batanes, Lighthouse

Sunrise to Sunset: Attractions to Visit in Basco, Batanes

People who often go and those who already been to Batanes generally recommend biking as a way to travel around the province. For a person who never really learned how to ride a bicycle (seriously), this is not a good tip for me. During our own discovery of the province, for Basco particularly, walking along the streets is tolerable and still the best mode to consider. If a companion persists for you to rent a bicycle, prepare to brood your bikes on the steep uphill roads that you need to pass.

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Published at 2018-02-03 by Puerto Parrot

Categories : Travel

Tags: Basco, Batanes, Lighthouse

Where to Eat in Batanes: Octagon Restaurant

It was a cold evening and we were faced with the reality that we will be leaving Batanes really soon. We were a bit expressive since we spent more than a week in the province; mingled with its accommodating locals, enjoyed the local cuisine, and most of all experienced the near-to-paradise attractions.

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Published at 2018-02-03 by Puerto Parrot

Categories : Food and Dining

Tags: Batanes