Photo by Melo Villarealhttp://www.melovillareal.com/photoblog/travel-photography/batanes-marlboro-hills.jpg
One of the most amazing places in the Philippines is the Batanes Group of Islands, which lies at the northern most tip of the archipelago. This is where two great bodies of water- the Pacific Ocean and the South China Sea- come together. According to WOW Philippines, a series of volcanic activities and other geologic forces have formed the island-province of Batanes millions of years ago.
While I am surfing the internet, I have come across this photo by Melo Villareal that has captured the scenic “Payaman” in Batanes. Those were grassy hills along the boulder-lined coastline of the province, which serve as graze land for cattle. At the background is a view of its pristine coastal waters.
Two things amaze me about this province:
One is that in spite of its almost isolated location, I do not remember any news report wherein the “Ivatans” (people of Batanes) ask for relief after a storm considering that almost every typhoon that enters the Philippine area of responsibility slams through the Batanes Group of Islands. In storm-affected areas, we usually see houses destroyed by strong winds or submerged in floodwaters and people need to stay in heavily crowded evacuation centers for days. However, it seems like the people of the province have been immune from disasters that tropical cyclones might cause. They build typhoon resistant homes made up of thick stonewalls that are unique to the Ivatans.
The Ivatans have preserved their culture down from centuries past in spite of the modern technology that slowly invade the consciousness of peoples even in rural areas. Although, reports say there are not so much vehicles going around the province. Good for them, the air that they breathe has remained least contaminated by toxic fumes.
Another amazing thing about Batanes is its “Honesty Store”. I do not recall the name of the owner of the store nevertheless; I believe it has become a legacy for the Ivatans. It is a small and ordinary store except that there is no storekeeper; everything is self-service. You can pick up what you want; a cup of noodles perhaps or a cup of coffee or whatever then jot it down on a record book on top of a table and leave your payment in a box. If you have a change, you can pick it up the following day. It is amazing because it involves an unblemished honesty. It has been a feature in many television documentaries here in the Philippines. It is something we are proud of as Filipinos.
Photos and info courtesy of the following:
Melo Villareal.Com
WOW Philippines
Philsite.Net
No comments:
Post a Comment