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REGION2 OVERVIEW
The Region II, or Cagayan Valley Region, is the second largest in the Philippines, with a land area
of 2,826,520 ha. It is comprised of 5 provinces namely: Batanes, Cagayan (including Babuyan
Islands), Isabela, Quirino, and Nueva Vizcaya. It has four cities namely: Cauayan City (the
industrial center), Tuguegarao (its regional center), City of Ilagan (its investment hub) and
Santiago City (its Premier City).

 The region is largely an agricultural economy with thirty-seven percent (37%) of its total
land area dedicated to agriculture production.

 It has Type III Climate (relatively dry from November to April, and wet during the rest of the
year), and has a rich soil in the region.

BATANES
 Batanes, officially the Province of Batanes is an archipelagic province in the Philippines,
administratively part of the Cagayan Valley region.
 It is the northernmost province in the country, and also the smallest, both in population and
land area.
 The capital is Basco, located on the island of Batan.
 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batanes)

Batanes is the first main island group in the northern tip of Luzon, located between the Babuyan
Islands and Taiwan.

Batanes Island, called the Home of the Winds, is considered the smallest province in the
Philippines with only 230 kilometers of total land area and was created by a series of volcanic
activities and other geologic forces when Mt. Iraya erupted around 325 BC.
The Batanes islands were created by a series of volcanic activity and other geologic changes from
the late Miocene (Mahatao Volcano), Pliocene (Mount Matarem), and Quaternary (Mount Iraya)
periods. An eruption of Mount Iraya on Batan Island around 325 BC buried under its ash the
charcoal of burned wood along with broken pottery, indicating that the islands were already
inhabited at least over 2,000 years ago. Two more eruptions of Mount Iraya, one around 286 AD
and the latest around 505 AD, were responsible for the geologic features and fertile soil of much of
Batan Island today. (https://www.yodisphere.com/2022/09/Ivatan-Batanes-History-Culture-
Traditions.html)

GEOGRAPHY
 The province has a total area of 219.01 square kilometres (84.56 sq mi) comprising ten
islands situated within the Luzon Strait between the Balintang Channel and Taiwan.
 The three largest islands, Batan, Itbayat, and Sabtang, are the only inhabited islands.
 The rest are Mavudis, Misanga, Ditarem, Siayan, Dinem, Vuhos, Adekey.
 (http://www.global-nomad.com/batanes_content/batanes_geography.html &
http://laoag.china-consulate.gov.cn/eng/lqjs/gsgk_1/200704/t20070430_5542686.htm#:~:te
xt=The%20Province%20of%20Batanes%20is,is%20Basco%20on%20Batan%20Island.)

The northernmost island in the province, also the northernmost land in the entire Philippines, is
Mavulis (or Y'ami) Island. Other islands in the chain are Misanga (or North), Ditarem, Siayan,
Diogo (or Dinem), Ivuhos, and Dequey. The islands are part of the Luzon Volcanic Arc.

Batanes is the first main island group in the northern tip of Luzon, located between the Babuyan
Islands and Taiwan

Almost half of the terrain in Batanes is composed of hills and mountains. The smallest
province of the Philippines, it also has the smallest population.

In the summer months of March to May, the surrounding seas are calm. The climate is generally
cool, with September to November usually windy. Typhoon season is in August.

TOPOGRAPHY OF BATANES
 Batan Island- generally mountainous on the north and southeast
 Itbayat Island- slopes gradually to the west, being mountainous and hilly along its northern,
eastern coast
 Sabtang Island- mountains cover the central part, making the island slope outward to the
coast.

Batan- Batan Island is the main island of Batanes, an archipelagic province in the Philippines. It is
the second largest of the Batanes Islands, the northernmost group of islands in the country.

Itbayat- Aside from being the largest island in the province, it is also considered the northernmost
populated island in the country.

Sabtang- It is situated in the southernmost part of Batanes and is the smallest among the three
inhabited islands. Spanish influences first reached the island in 1786.
BATAN
 Just a few steps away from Basco you’ll find Basco Lighthouse, which can be climbed for
your first peek of the impressive coastal cliffs.
 Due to the high fuel prices, it’s hard to flag down a tricycle, because drivers won’t be driving
around without a purpose.
 Several guesthouses in Batan rent out bicycles as well, giving you the opportunity to roam
around at a laidback pace. Another option is to rent a tricycle including a driver.

ITBAYAT
 Itbayat is basically one of the biggest coral reefs in the world, because the bottom of the
sea has been uplifted for countless years. Tortured by typhoons and volcanic eruptions this
island is a rocky wonderland, consisting of a cave and a bunch of extinct volcanoes.
 The only way to reach rugged Itbayat is by boat from Basco. A one-way ticket for the boat
costs 450 pesos.
 Keep in mind though that the weather in this region is extremely unpredictable.
 Ferry services are often cancelled due to sea conditions, so ask your host for the latest
update before you attempt to go to Itbayat. Being stranded on Itbayat is a common thing.

SABTANG, the island west of Batan.

 Tickets for the 45-minute boat ride cost 100 pesos. Upon arrival, you’ll proceed to the
tourist board, where you’ll have to register and pay a 200 pesos tourist fee.
 There’s no public transport available on Sabtang, but there are tricycles to drive you
around.

(https://www.indietraveller.co/batanes-philippines-travel-guide/)

THE 3 LIGHTHOUSES OF BATANES:

(https://www.thepoortraveler.net/2014/06/basco-lighthouse-mahatao-sabtang-island-
batanes-philippines/)

Basco Lighthouse
 towers over the island of Batan and is one of the three main lighthouses in the province of
Batanes
 First lit in 2003, it was the first to be completed of the three. Basco Lighthouse was built in
Naidi Hills, at the site of the old telegraph facility used during the American era and was
destroyed by the Japanese during World War II.
 The main column is round, white painted, and crowned with a red lantern room. The bottom
portion and the attached dwelling (for the caretaker) are limestone masonry. The 20-meter
tower has six stories, with the fifth being the gallery, allowing unobstructed views of the
West Philippine Sea to the west, Mt. Iraya to the north, and the Basco Town Proper to the
south. A nearby building houses the Bunker Cafe.
Tayid Lighthouse
 crested on a hill on Batan Island, facing the more mischievous Pacific Ocean
 Its main tower is hexagonal, not round.

Sabtang Lighthouse
 is the first man-made structure to greet you as you approach Sabtang island.
 Unlike the lighthouses of Batan Island, the tower boasts a round tower with a rubble
masonry finish all the way to the gallery deck, which gives it a dominant organic appeal,
and a red lantern room. It is best viewed from the port where crashing waves take the
foreground.

TOPOGRAPHY
 The islands are situated between the vast expanse of the waters of Bashi Channel and
Balintang Channel, where the Pacific Ocean merges with the China Sea.
 The area is a sea lane between the Philippines and Japan, China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Almost one-half of Batanes is hills and mountains.

The islands are sparsely populated and subject to frequent typhoons.

The terrain of the province, while picturesque at almost every turn, has limited the potential for
expansion of agriculture in an already very small province.

CLIMATE IN BATANES
Did you know that Batanes have 4 Seasons?
 Due to its proximity to Taiwan, Batanes experiences 4 seasons – spring, summer,
fall, and winter. As the year comes to a close, the weather gets cooler and cooler
too, as low as 7 degrees Celsius.
 (https://outoftownblog.com/daily-flights-to-batanes-as-winter-approaches/
#:~:text=Due%20to%20its%20proximity%20to,low%20as%207%20degrees
%20Celsius.)
 Batanes has a tropical climate like the rest of the Philippines. The average yearly
temperature is 26.0 °C. April is the driest month, while August is the rainiest month
so best to avoid traveling to Batanes during that time. November to February is the
coldest and often have rainy days as well.

HISTORY OF BATANES
 Pre-historic Ivatans lived in small communities near water sources. When the Europeans
arrived in the 1600s, they found the people of Batanes living in organized communities
called idjangs. They buried their dead in large earthen jars, a practice that continued until
well into the 18th century. It wasn’t until 1782 that Batanes was brought under Spanish rule.
In 1909, Batanes was finally established as a separate province under American
administration. Because of its location, Batanes was the first area attacked by the Japanese
during World War II. In the 1950s and 60s, the Philippine government encouraged Ivatans
to relocate, thus there are now Ivatan communities in Mindanao.
The indigenous people of Batanes are called Ivatans who are nationally acclaimed as the True
Insulares having kept the purity of their gene pool, from as far back as 16th century, and
preserved their rich history and cultural heritage.
o (The meaning of INSULAR is characteristic of an isolated people; especially : being,
having, or reflecting a narrow provincial viewpoint. Insulares was a term of Spanish
origin that pertains to Spaniards who were born in a colonized Philippines)

CULTURE OF BATANES
 With fewer than 16,000 inhabitants believed to be the descendants of brave seafarers from
Formosa (now Taiwan), these pristine islands possess a rich Ivatan culture and a peaceful
and friendly population.
 Due to its remoteness, the pace of life in Batanes is slow. Here there are no modern
conveniences—or annoyances.
 Locals still wear traditional articles of clothing like the vakul, a headpiece made of fibers
from the voyavoy palm, which is used to protect the wearer from sun and rain.

Natives of Batanes are called Ivatans. Ivatans already lived in Batanes before the Spaniards
Regime. Their native language is called “Chirin nu Ivatan” but it is commonly known as
Ivatan.
The culture of Ivatan is being influenced by its surrounding especially that it is surrounded
by large mass of water.

Some of these are being preserved up until the present.

CULTURE OF BATANES
 One endemic clothing of Ivatans is called “Vakul”, it is a headdress that protects their head
from the heat of the sun; it is usually made from abaca fiber of the “vuyavuy” plant.
 The vakul headdress and kanayi vests are worn by Ivatan farmers, the vest for men and the
headgear for women.

The vakul has, deservingly, become an image synonymous with Batanes. It is not only something
the looks unique, completing the romance of the rolling hills of Batanes. Beyond that, it exemplifies
the spirit of the Ivatan. Every detail of their lives is centered around survival. From drying fish so
that they may have food to eat when the waves become too treacherous, to building houses of
solid stone that can stand up to the fiercest of storms. The vakul likewise reflects a simplicity and
beauty valued in the life of the Ivatans, a place where traditions are kept sacred, largely unspoiled
by technology and commercialism.

 (https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/travel-and-tourism/2016/05/14/1583166/vakul-symbol-
survival)

CULTURE OF BATANES
 The stone houses of Batanes are built to withstand typhoons, with walls and roofs one
meter thick, and small and narrow windows.
 The Ivatan kitchen is built separately around a great stove. It is the most important part of
the house, and remains warm and safe during a typhoon.
 There are different kinds of houses: the panyisanan or farm house, the pangasinyan or
“house where salt is made”, and the kamadid or boat house.
Houses in Batanes are made up of stones in which they called the “Dakay House” with
thick cogon roof, these houses can withstand and survive any calamities such as heavy
winds and typhoons.

The stone houses of Batanes are a symbol of the Ivatan’s strength and resilience. Batanes,
the northernmost province in the Philippines, lies in the path of most of the 20 or so tropical
cyclones that enter the country every year. While strong winds and typhoons frequently hit the
area, damaging crops and infrastructure and leaving locals without power and water, casualties
remain at zero.

Part of the Ivatan’s preparedness against disasters is the strength of the structure of their houses.
Traditional Ivatan homes are constructed with cobbles and mortar, made out of thick limestone
walls and thatched cogon roofs. They have walls as thick as 80 centimeters to one meter. Doors
and windows are made of sturdy hardwood planks while roofs are made of thatched cogon.
(https://www.traveling-up.com/rebuilding-a-stone-house-on-sabtang-island/)

LOCAL CUISINE
 Local cuisine features are simple yet hearty, using fresh ingredients, and especially
seafood. Authentic Ivatan cuisine includes exotic dishes like uvod, composed of fish,
bananas, and local herbs; yellow ginger rice; and coconut crab.

Local Ivatans like to maintain a very healthy lifestyle

THE RARE COOL-TURE OF THE IVATANS

 Their culture is a product of long history of struggle and adaptation to typhoons, the rough
seas, and meager resources.
 One trait that makes Ivatans and other locals of Batanes different is their honesty. It is
instilled in their culture as well.
 For many years, researches had no complain in establishing relationships with other groups
of people and their culture. Ivatans are truly remarkable and friendly.
 https://maharuyo.wordpress.com/2018/10/28/the-rare-cool-ture-of-the-ivatans/

“No other cultures in the Philippines have mastered the rages of the seasonal typhoons as the
Ivatan. Their culture is a product of long history of struggle and adaptation to typhoons, the rough
seas, and meager resources.”

HERE IS THE LIST OF THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW ABOUT THE IVATANS:
(https://diamondintheroughblog.com/2018/11/14/things-you-should-know-about-the-ivatans-people-of-
batanes/)

1. They are honest and trustworthy.

Honesty is one of their core values. There is no reason to fret about your losing your
belongings or being cheated on because the Ivatans do not tolerate dishonesty. Theft has
no place in Batanes. It’s been said that it is part of their upbringing since childhood.

2. They are hardworking.

Ivatans are trained to work hard for a living and not depend on others to sustain their
needs. One manifestation of this trait is the absence of beggars in the place. The main
industries in Batanes are agriculture and fishing, and obviously, tourism. It is not unusual for
them to have more than one job. We were surprised that our tour guide was also a part-
 time truck driver. Having a simple lifestyle, they just get what they need from their
agricultural products. Poverty rate is very low in Batanes.

3. They do not resort to crimes.

Batanes is known to be a zero-crime tourist destination. No wonder why this place is
among the favorite of solo travellers. Understanding the rationale behind this, we were told
that if a person committed a crime, it will be known in the entire province or island. It is
considered a disgrace to one’s family or entire community. We also heard that if a person
commits a crime, he will be evicted from the place or be forced to move to another island
because of shame. Petty incidents of crime are usually done by the tourists themselves or
foreigners.

Since crimes are unusual in Batanes, our homestays are often left at night by the
caretakers unlocked. The old houses in Sabtang are often left open that we wonder if there
is anyone residing there. There is no room to worry about security.

4. They are gentle and kind.

Ivatans are typically shy at first but once you engage them in the conversations, they
can relate with you well. They are gentle and respectful.

The locals are also kind and hospitable — the tour guides, homestay owners and
caretakers and vendor would always greet you with a smiling face and would ask you if you
are comfortable or if you need anything.

5. They have high respect for their culture.

Ivatans exert efforts to uphold their cultural heritage. (e.g. old stone houses, vakul)

6. They treat nature as sacred.P

Natural wealth is one of their greatest, priceless assets. The natural landscapes of
Batanes and the picturesque cliffhanger roads overlooking the seas have paved the way for
tourism. This is why Ivatans are very protective of what they have — they are disciplined on
garbage disposal and they strictly prohibit the pilfering of any coral or stones from the sea.
Batanes is the smallest province of the Philippines, with a land mass only one third of that of Metro
Manila. Its vast territorial waters of 4,500 square kilometers is around 20 times more than its land
area of only about 229 square kilometers of which 31.5 square kilometers represent the combined
land areas of the 7 uninhabited islets. The island group is located about 162 kilometres (101 mi)
north of Luzon and about 190 kilometres (120 mi) south of Taiwan, separated from the Babuyan
Islands of Cagayan Province, Luzon, by the Balintang Channel and from Taiwan by the Bashi
Channel.

History
In 1783, the Spanish claimed Batanes as part of the Philippines under the auspices of Governor-General José
Basco y Vargas. 

One endemic clothing of Ivatans is called “Vakul”, it is a headdress that protects their head
from the heat of the sun; it is usually made from abaca fiber of the “vuyavuy” plant. 

Almost half of the terrain in Batanes is composed of hills and mountains.

The smallest province of the Philippines, it also has the smallest population.
In the summer months of March to May, the surrounding seas are calm. The climate is generally
cool, with September to November usually windy. Typhoon season is in August.

TOPOGRAPHY

Basco Lighthouse
First lit in 2003, it was the first to be completed of the three. Basco Lighthouse was built in
Naidi Hills, at the site of the old telegraph facility used during the American era and was
destroyed by the Japanese during World War II.

CLIMATE

Best time to visit Batanes

The best time to visit Batanes, Philippines is January through April and December. In this
period you have a pleasant temperature and little precipitation. On the island of Batanes,
the warmest month is June with 29°C and the coldest is January with 24°C. The highest
water temperature is 31°C and at its coldest the water is 26°C.

Climate in Batanes
Batanes has a tropical climate. The average yearly temperature is 26.0 °C (78.8 °F), and
the average monthly temperature ranges from 22.0 °C (71.6 °F) in January to 28.5 °C
(83.3 °F) in July, similar to that of Southern Taiwan. Precipitation is abundant
throughout the year; the rainiest month is August, while the driest month is April.
November to February are the coldest months.

There is a misconception that Batanes is constantly battered by typhoons. Batanes is

mentioned frequently in connection with typhoons because it holds the northernmost
weather station in the Philippines; thus, it is also a reference point for all typhoons that
enter the Philippine area of responsibility.

They may be a small tribe but their culture is magnificent and any people who will visit the
place will be surely enchanted by the things Batanes and Ivatans can offer Therefore, go visit
Batanes and be amazed with its people, culture and place. Dios Mamajes!