THE HOME OF IVATANS
August 15th 2008 02:00
There is something nice about my day job. I get to meet a lot of interesting people and, once in a while, without meaning to, or even knowing it , they bring me some nice stories to write about.
The one I met early this week knows I am going to write about their place. I told him, a few minutes before he left. In fact, I asked him to email me some pictures that I can use for this post. He said he will. But I guess I will have to post those pictures separately later, if they ever come.
The place is Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines. It is so far north that, its northernmost island (Batanes is a group of islands) Mavudis is closer to Taiwan (seven hours by boat) than the southernmost island’s distance (twenty seven hours) to the Province of Cagayan in the main island of Luzon, Philippines.
It is the smallest province in the country. It is the home of the Ivatans.
I have not yet been to Batanes. At the moment, it is only accessible by plane. No boats. Well, it is a group of islands so it would be accessible by boats. But passenger vessels don’t ply that route. Illegal fishing boats get stranded there though. And that’s how they knew it takes 27 hours to get there by sea from Aparri, Cagayan.
But you don’t go to that place if you don’t have a lot of time in your hands. And it doesn’t matter whether you own a boat or a plane. Only one can decide when you can go there and when you can leave, and it is not you, it is the weather. No one else.
The weather in Batanes is so unpredictable, the visibility at the airport can drop to zero anytime. Houses there are built with thick walls. A group of Filipino newsmen went there by plane once to cover the visit of a Philippines President. They were not able to leave on the same day, or the next day… because of poor visibility at the airport.
They were newsmen. They cannot stay in one place where there are no stories to write, or tell, for a long time. They pressured somebody to allow them to use the Presidential Yacht to get back to the main island and their normal lives as newshounds. What followed are a number of newspaper accounts of an adventure and big waves and how “sea-sick” they have all become on the way back.
But why even go to Batanes? Well, I was expecting those promised pictures that will be emailed to me to tell the story. But since they are not yet here, let’s try this.
There is a retail outlet in Basco, the capital town of Batanes, called “Honesty Store.” It has everything that you’ll expect to find in a variety store, and more. But it has not a single attendant inside. The items have their tag prices and you are expected to get the items that you need, leave your payments and get your change, if you need any, by yourself. It is a full self service store that way. Nobody in the place was surprised that the store owners have not reported a single theft since it was established. Some of the tourists are even generous enough to leave some tips. Somehow, I have the feeling that this idea can only work in Batanes.
That guy that I met this week is an Ivatan, a native of the province. He said they don’t worry too much about food as everybody can produce them in their farms (Pretty much like what Fobzy would have us believe they do in their farm). But he said they begin to worry the moment their supply of booze start running out of the shelves.
No, no, no… Batanes is not a place of troublesome drunkards and alcoholics. It is just that the weather in the area can get too windy and too cold at 7 to 9 degrees centigrade (cold for a tropical country) they like drinking something that can make them feel warm. And they like having fun!
And here’s the funny thing, if you are a stranger in any of the islands, and they would immediately know that you are, since it is such a small place they practically know each other, and you encounter someone who is drunk and the mere fact that the person is drunk scares you, that person will beg you for an apology - almost automatically!
I am not sure if that’s how drunks behave in many other places.
I'll tell you more about this place when those pictures arrived.
The one I met early this week knows I am going to write about their place. I told him, a few minutes before he left. In fact, I asked him to email me some pictures that I can use for this post. He said he will. But I guess I will have to post those pictures separately later, if they ever come.
The place is Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines. It is so far north that, its northernmost island (Batanes is a group of islands) Mavudis is closer to Taiwan (seven hours by boat) than the southernmost island’s distance (twenty seven hours) to the Province of Cagayan in the main island of Luzon, Philippines.
It is the smallest province in the country. It is the home of the Ivatans.
Ivatan woman pic source: Wikipedia. Original pic published by Anne_Jimenez on Flickr
I have not yet been to Batanes. At the moment, it is only accessible by plane. No boats. Well, it is a group of islands so it would be accessible by boats. But passenger vessels don’t ply that route. Illegal fishing boats get stranded there though. And that’s how they knew it takes 27 hours to get there by sea from Aparri, Cagayan.
But you don’t go to that place if you don’t have a lot of time in your hands. And it doesn’t matter whether you own a boat or a plane. Only one can decide when you can go there and when you can leave, and it is not you, it is the weather. No one else.
The weather in Batanes is so unpredictable, the visibility at the airport can drop to zero anytime. Houses there are built with thick walls. A group of Filipino newsmen went there by plane once to cover the visit of a Philippines President. They were not able to leave on the same day, or the next day… because of poor visibility at the airport.
They were newsmen. They cannot stay in one place where there are no stories to write, or tell, for a long time. They pressured somebody to allow them to use the Presidential Yacht to get back to the main island and their normal lives as newshounds. What followed are a number of newspaper accounts of an adventure and big waves and how “sea-sick” they have all become on the way back.
But why even go to Batanes? Well, I was expecting those promised pictures that will be emailed to me to tell the story. But since they are not yet here, let’s try this.
Oldest house in Batanes made of corals. Pic source: Wikipedia original published by Anne_jimenez on Flickr
There is a retail outlet in Basco, the capital town of Batanes, called “Honesty Store.” It has everything that you’ll expect to find in a variety store, and more. But it has not a single attendant inside. The items have their tag prices and you are expected to get the items that you need, leave your payments and get your change, if you need any, by yourself. It is a full self service store that way. Nobody in the place was surprised that the store owners have not reported a single theft since it was established. Some of the tourists are even generous enough to leave some tips. Somehow, I have the feeling that this idea can only work in Batanes.
That guy that I met this week is an Ivatan, a native of the province. He said they don’t worry too much about food as everybody can produce them in their farms (Pretty much like what Fobzy would have us believe they do in their farm). But he said they begin to worry the moment their supply of booze start running out of the shelves.
No, no, no… Batanes is not a place of troublesome drunkards and alcoholics. It is just that the weather in the area can get too windy and too cold at 7 to 9 degrees centigrade (cold for a tropical country) they like drinking something that can make them feel warm. And they like having fun!
And here’s the funny thing, if you are a stranger in any of the islands, and they would immediately know that you are, since it is such a small place they practically know each other, and you encounter someone who is drunk and the mere fact that the person is drunk scares you, that person will beg you for an apology - almost automatically!
I am not sure if that’s how drunks behave in many other places.
I'll tell you more about this place when those pictures arrived.
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Comment by British bulldog
On the subject of what we would eat, there's an old saying 'I could eat a horse' which does push the idea that humans are meat eaters for the amount of protein we need, as virtually enzymes etc are made from it!
The French who have the most successful food culture in the world eat frogs and snails so if your hungry enough I think you'll eat just about anything cooked.
So you're a Radio head fan! well, so am I or perhaps was as they were the best British band of the 1990's before disappearing up there own arse holes in a desperate desire to stay cutting edge cool. Only yesterday I was playing OK Computer and remember seeing them in the UK, but Coldplay have kind of stolen their blandest clothes haven't they!
Regards,
British Bulldog
Comment by British bulldog
Good news today with Fannie mae and Freddie mac who hold 50% of US mortgase debt now in public ownerhip that means that US shares will rally tonight on relief that mortgage worries aren't going to get worse. In addition, after a bad start on Friday the US finished with a strong financials rally. Expect then for the Phil financials to rally strongly today for a good 2 % gain overall!
Regards,
British Bulldog.