Low fares, it’s more fun in Batanes!

Thinking of a place to go this summer?  Why not try the unique eco-cultural experience of the time-warped Batanes group of islands where you can get a glimpse of the Philippines of old?

Flying to Batanes is now made more affordable and convenient as the Batanes Cultural Travel Agency (BCTA) offers lower airfares starting March 15.  One way ticket starts at P6,200, much lower than the usual airfare to the country’s northernmost frontier.  What more, passengers can now enjoy shorter travel time at 1 hour and 10 minutes to Batan in the comfort of a 94-seater jet. 

A province of 11 islands and a population of 15,000, Batanes has fast become the favourite travel destination of people who are looking for a unique combination of natural beauty and cultural heritage.

Batanes offers travellers breath-taking landscapes and seascapes, which has been nominated to the UNESCO World Heritage List. Not a few describe the islands as one of the most beautiful corners of the world.

Rachu a' Payaman: The communal grazing area where you can also get a beautiful glimpse of the Pacific Ocean.             

Spanish influence is still much evident in the inhabited islands of Batanes, with centuries-old churches built by the Dominicans and the limestone houses that have withstood strong typhoons. 

Some of the notable churches are the San Jose Obrero Church in Ivana, Sabtang; San Carlos Borromeo Church in Mahatao (1873); Sto. Domingo Cathedral in Basco (the oldest built in early 18th century); and, Sta. Maria Immaculada (1845) in Itbayat.  Also worth visiting are the church in Chavayan, the only one in Batanes which still uses a thatched roof, and the church of Itbud.

A visit to the villages gives one a glimpse of the limestone technology introduced by the Spaniards when they arrived in the province at the turn of the 18^th century. The Old Spanish Bridges in Mahatao and Ivana as well as the iconic vernacular houses made out of limestone, stones, corals and a thatched roof, are scattered in the three inhabited islands of Batan, Sabtang and Itbayat.

Walking through the tiny villages of traditional stone houses amidst the quiet narrow streets of Savidug and Chavayan in Sabtang island, makes one feel like being transported to another world where time just stood still.

Everywhere in Batanes is picture-perfect, with some corners seemingly cut out of the movie scenes of The Lord of The Rings -- villages nestled between the tall lush mountains and cliffs on one side and a sweeping view of the sea on the other. Truly, travellers cannot have enough of the beauty of Batanes. You have to go there to experience it for yourself.

BCTA flights (Manila-Basco-Manila) started accepting bookings on March 01. Flights will be Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays starting on March 15.  For reservations please call the following hotlines: (02) 635-4810 / 546-1197 / 998-4303 / 475-5267 / 475-5260 / 0917-8112282 / 0999-8894106 / 0908-2309419 / 0922-8213717.  ##

Enchanting Cape Engano

IT'S NOT CALLED CAPE ENGAÑO FOR NOTHING. This cove in Palaui Island of the now-getting-famous Santa Ana, Cagayan North, is truly enchanting. I'm pretty sure the Spaniards who first set foot on this little island before they built the once majestic Faro de Cabo Engaño in the late 1800's fell under the spell of this enchanted island. The same spell that binds every stranger who willingly takes on the beckoning of the hills -- that strong presence so enticing you can't refuse.

I've been to Cape Engaño twice this summer and I swear I'll be back. I love the waters -- so clear and so cool. There's nothing more refreshing than the ice-cold seawater under the heat of the sun. But the best and more rewarding part of it all is the awesome sight on top of Cape Engaño where the lighthouse sits like a princess waiting for her beloved. I will never get tired of going up over and over again. It is not a very easy way up, I should tell you. A steep 20-minute or so walk uphill some 95 meters above sea level, that is. But swear, I will gladly do it again and again. The sight on top is just breathtaking you cannot have enough of it in two or three climbs.

Midway through the climb, I sat on the green grass with my friend Sheila. We basked on the wonderful scenery. Everywhere you look, you will be awed. Truly, there can only be a Divine Designer who entricately planned for all the things around us. One who designed the mountains exactly the way they are, or the colors of the sea, or the coolness of the wind...

Once on top of the lighthouse, you get a good glimpse of the Babuyan group of islands. But right in front of the cape at the mouth of the Pacific Ocean are the mysterious twin islands called Dos Hermanas. Legend has it that these were two sisters desperately awaiting for the return of their lovers. Dos Hermanas are rock formations covered with greens. Fisherfolks say the best gamet, that green seaweed used for Nori, can be found in this twin islands. But beware, not a few lives have been taken as they tried to break the silence of these twin sisters.

The lighthouse itself, while now in ruins, has traces of it grand old days. One can imagine a little palace perched on a hill where Prince Charming visits his beloved.


We only stayed in the lighthouse for an hour at the most. After some picture taking, we all decided to descend and frolick in the cool clear blue waters. It was only a little past 9am but on top of the hill, the heat felt like mid-day. Thankfully, it was windy so we didn't really feel the scorching sun on the way down.


Again, I slowly went down to enjoy the view. My daughter Star was already long enjoying the waters by the time I reached the beach with a few other friends. We were quite a big group -- almost 30 in all. Some chose to sleep under the shade of the trees. The cool breeze of the sea could indeed lull you to sleep. Hmmm, what a life! Others explored the virgin forest of Palaui, following the narrow trail that leads to a small waterfalls.

As the "GRO" of the group (I have volunteered to help my friend Pinky and her husband Mayor Vic Rodriguez promote their town), I deliberately left out forest trekking in our itinerary. The forest can be scary. It gives you an eerrie feeling -- hearing those strange sounds of wild animals. But some media friends chose to go anyway.

Frolicking in the clear blue waters, away from the stressful life in the metro, was truly refreshing. But like anything else in the world, our time in the midst of the enchanted island had come to an end. By noontime, we all had to pack up and bid adeu. Happily, a lunch of fresh lobsters, crabs, shrimps and lapu-lapu awaited us back in the mainland. Of course, over lunch and in the days that followed, we never ran out of stories of the enchanting Cape Engaño.