Everybody says Batanes province is beautiful, even those who’ve never been there. Our idea of the place has been shaped by popular images of steep, picturesque cliffs meeting the pounding surf.   First time visitors therefore have high expectations. And I venture to say that they are never disappointed.

I went to Batanes for the first time upon the invitation of the Batanes Cultural Travel Agency (BCTA), a private entity dedicated to the appreciation and preservation not only of the province’s many beautiful sights but of its cultural heritage as well. I didn’t want my husband to miss this opportunity so I bought him a plane ticket so he could tag along with me. BCTA provides chartered flights and guided tours of the province’s three main islands, Batan (where the capital Basco is located), Itbayat and Sabtang.

Read full story here.

There is a place where the icy winds grip the sharp, craggy cliffs, the verdant, rolling pasturelands and turquoise oceans.  Here, one can savor the infinite pulse of the universe through the expression of Mother Nature that seems untouched, preserved and cared for like no other.  This paradise is Batanes. To me, it is God’s shadow on earth.

No place amazes me as much as the desolate and dramatic landscapes of the northernmost tip of the Philippines.  In this sanctuary of adventure and legend, human survival is challenged beyond measure. The resilient reside here, protecting and preserving a sacred culture that espouses values such as love for God and family, honesty, simplicity, frugality, integrity, humility, perseverance, contentment and the desire to preserve their environment, habitat and culture.  This is Batanes, where the vast sky and sea meet at the horizon, where a wild kind of beauty permeates, where the inhospitable weather is a way of life that hardly dampens the spirit of the Ivatans, the kindred people from this region.  The indigenous tribe of the Ivatans is the heart and soul of this ethereal paradise. They reflect a lifestyle that God smiles upon.

From the air, on board an efficient 94-seater British-made jumbolino plane with very comfortable and wide leather seats, the province of Batanes cuts a seemingly lonely, desolated chunk of scenic landscape in the archipelago. There exists an overwhelming feeling of mystery and grandeur seeing the islands from a window seat that enamors you. This province may be the smallest in landmass of 84.56 square miles and a population of approximately 16,000 yet it is perhaps among the richest in culture, heritage and stunning beauty.  I felt transported to the wind-swept sanctuaries of the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, the rolling terrains of New Zealand, the craggy cliffs of Ireland as well as the enchanting Ushuaia, the southernmost city of the world in Argentina. It was an arresting emotion of déjà vu as I recalled the views of this paradise in the Patagonia region where lighthouses, rugged terrain and waves gracefully lap against the isolated islands that jut out of the immaculate sea. I had to pinch myself to be reminded that I was in our own country, and unlike Patagonia, a very short flight could get us to such spectacular beauty of Batanes.

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I have not seen a single column about Batanes without a photograph of the place. And why not, maybe the photos would best illustrate what words cannot describe. Some columnists that wrote about Batanes say that they are at loss for words — that is fairly accurate of my own experience in Batanes when I visited the island last week.

I was awestruck.

I left for Batanes last Holy Week, taking advantage of the long break for some quiet time-slash-recreation. I also went on a photo safary class with Mandy Navasero.

When I returned from my five-day sojourn, I was encouraging everyone to book a flight and just go! You do not know what you are missing!

How do you describe Batanes? Adjectives would not suffice. Allow me to write about how Batanes touched me. Experience…  memories… moments… after all make Batanes truly distinct.

It reminds me of the shores of Maui, Hawaii.

Several years ago, I went to Maui on coverage for Nagmamahal, Kapamilya. The dark blue water and the raging waves and the cool breeze disheveling my hair… how can I forget all these? I wanted to go back to Maui, but Batanes changed all that.

Batanes is enveloped by the Pacific Ocean and the West Philippine Sea, two vast bodies of water. And naturally, the waves are intimidating. Not much of beaches but reefs. Unlike Boracayand Palawan, you don’t see much beaches, and yet, when in Batanes, even a restless soul like mine would want to just get settled and sit. The peacefulness unites you with the beauty of nature. You forget the time and space.

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18-Apr-12, 6:15 PM | InterAksyon.com

MANILA, Philippines – Aga Muhlach never backs down on any adventure. Whether it’s swimming with whale sharks in Sorsogon or braving the freezing temperature of Alaska, Aga promises to take viewers to the greatest adventures and the most exhilarating travels.

In this week’s new episode of Pinoy Explorer, the bubbly host adds yet another location for those looking to explore exciting places: he goes to the northernmost island of the Philippines, Batanes.

Read full story here.

 See video here.

Introducing – the BCTA Sky Card.
The BCTA Sky Card is a discount and privilege card for Ivatans/Batanes residents aged 15 years old and above.

DISCOUNTS AND PRIVILEGES
• Get discounts in BCTA Airline tickets
• Selected Accommodations
• and soon with our Partner Establishments

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS (Submit at least two of the following):
• Birth Certificate (Born in Batanes)
• Parent’s Birth Certificate (If either parent is born in Batanes)
• Marriage Certificate (If married to an Ivatan)
• Passport (with Batanes address)
• Batanes Government Issued Cards (SSS/TIN/Driver’s License, etc.)
• Documents/Proof of Batanes Residency or Work Assignment (at least one year)

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

1. The BCTA Sky Card is conceptualized and managed by BCTA. Each applicant-grantee is bound by the Terms and Conditions governing the usage of such card. The card remains the property of BCTA and must be returned upon request.

2. Membership is open to all Batanes residents aged 15 and above. Acceptance of and/or denial of membership applications are the sole and absolute discretion of BCTA.

3. Members will be issued with a membership card with a corresponding number. The use of this number/card is deemed to be an express acceptance of the terms and conditions for the benefit of BCTA, and all participating vendors. Misuse of membership cards or program benefits may result in the termination of membership privileges and/or withdrawal of benefits without refund.

4. Membership cards are not transferable and may only be used by the member to whom the card is duly named or issued. BCTA reserves the right to modify the structure, benefits and other features of the BCTA Sky Card including these terms and conditions or to terminate the BCTA Sky Card program at any time. Although BCTA will use reasonable efforts to notify members of material changes, it is the responsibility of members to keep themselves up to date in respect of all the terms and conditions of the BCTA Sky Card. Any use of the program by a member will be deemed as acceptance of any amendment. BCTA will not be liable for loss or damage resulting there from.

5. Valid for one (1) year from date of membership.

PRIVACY POLICY
Your Personal Information is stored in a manner that reasonably protects it from misuse and loss or from unauthorized access, modification or disclosure.

When your Personal Information is no longer needed for the purpose for which it was obtained, BCTA will take reasonable steps to destroy or permanently delete your Personal Information. However, most of the Personal Information is or will be stored in client files which will be kept by BCTA for a minimum of one year.

Download the application form below and submit to any BCTA office:

Manila Booking Office:
Unit 201 Parc Chateau Condo Onyx St. Sapphire Road
Ortigas Center Pasig City, Philippines 1600
Tel. Nos.: (+63 2) 635-4810
Fax No.: (+63 2) 633-2655
Mobile Nos.: 0917 811-2282 / 0908 230-9419 / 0922 821-3717 / 0999 889-4106

Basco Office:
Castillejos Street Barangay Kaychanarianan Basco, Batanes
Tel. Nos.: 5461197 / 4755260 / 4755267

There’s only one place where this can all be true: Batanes.

Batanes offers travelers a unique opportunity to get away from the pressures of city living. With all the chaos in the urban jungle, city dwellers seldom are able to appreciate the beauty of living simply. In Batanes, visitors get a taste of how it is to live and eat simply as well as appreciate the small things thing truly matter like fresh air and a beautiful sunset.

Batanes Cultural Travel Agency (BCTA) director Telesporo Castillejos, who was also a former governor of the province, said that thanks to climate change, Batanes is now accessible to tourists all year-round. From being accessible only in May, the driest month of the year, tourists can already visit the province even on otherwise prohibitive months of the year like December or January.

Full story here.

The Batanes island group is the smallest province in the Philippines in terms of population and land area. The capital of Batanes, Basco is 280 kilometers north of Apari, Cagayan. Batanes consist of 10 tiny islands of which only the islands of Batan, Sabtang, and Itbayat are inhabited.

The people who inhabit these islands are called Ivatans who descended from Austronesians who migrated to the Batanes Islands 4000 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. Ivatans are honest, gentle and polite but brave and robust. They are proud of their heritage and their land.

The main languages spoken in Batanes are Ivatan, which is spoken on the islands of Batan and Sabtang, and Ichbayaten, 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. The dialect is widely spoken from college level down to elementary level.The landscape of Batanes is also distinct from other Philippine provinces due to the steep cliffs, rolling hills, deep canyons and boulder-lined shores. These natural earth formations make Batanes a very exciting place to visit. Take for example the picturesque Batanes Hills and the rocky shore in Valugan Beach where one can be one with nature.

The weather of Batanes is cool and windy. And it rains any month of the year. Compared to the rest of the country, the Batanes weather is rather pleasant. It has an almost temperate temperature from December to February where temperatures dip as low as 7 degrees centigrade. It enjoys practically four seasons, the best one being summer which is from March to June. Average monthly rainfall is 450 mm.

The wind swept islands of Batanes are beautiful and enchanting and they are like no other in the Philippines.

The province has a total agricultural land area of 5,438 hectares and has a wide area open for agricultural expansion. Due to its terrain, it is a major livestock producer with cattle as its main stock. Carabaos and goats are also popularly raised. Another major industry is fishing which reaches its peak during the summer months, from March to June, when the seawater is relatively calm.

But in spite of the reputation of Batanes as a backward region, it now has modern conveniences like mobile phones (cell sites by Smart & Globe Telecoms), electricity and cable television but hardly any vehicles.

There are numerous activities that await you in the islands of Batanes. You can swim in one of its magnificent beaches, visit the fishing villages, the historic churches and lighthouses, do some island hopping, and the most important of all; take it easy, unwind, and be one with nature.

A trip to Batanes provides one a feeling of perpetuity, an experience that is worth reminiscing. The people, the place, and the surroundings of Batanes will make you appreciate the joy of trouble-free and stress free living. With all these in mind, surely, your trip back home will be spent on thinking of when to visit the islands again.

The most recommended tourists’ destinations:

• House of Dakay (1887) a UNESCO heritage building.
• Lighthouses of Batanes
• St. Dominic de Guzman Parish Cathedral
• Mt. Iraya – A 1008-meter mountain on Batan Island.
• Mahatao View Deck
• Burial Caves – Pre-historic burial caves in the town of Itbayat.
• Sumhao Wind Power Plant
• Nakaboang Beach, Ark & Cave
• Songsong Ruins
• Beaches – Chadpidan Beach, White Beach and more.
• Rakuh-A-Payaman – known as “Marlboro Country”, a pasture overlooking farm fields & the Pacific Ocean

Budget Flight Package
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Adventure Package
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Tour Lite Package
Land Arrangement + Tours + Accommodations only package
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Fundacion Pacita Package
BCTA exclusive rates for Fundacion Pacita
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Walk-in Tours and other add-ons

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