In Batanes, everything starts with the weather. The province is battered by at least eight typhoons a year. The harsh weather and remote location isolate it from the rest of the country. But this same isolation has helped preserve mostly everything on the islands – the verdant rolling hills, the rugged coast, the traditional architecture, and even the unique way of life of its people.
Batanes is one of the country’s 20 poorest provinces. It is poor, but not in the classic sense of the word. It is among the highest ranking provinces in the Human Development Index and has the lowest malnutrition rate in the entire Philippines. The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) has identified it as the most promising province. UNESCO is considering it in its World Heritage list as a natural and cultural site.
Last summer, a group of advanced amateur photographers spent a week to capture on film the way of life of the Ivatans, the unique houses of stone, and the idyllic pastoral terrain. Manny Ang, Sonia Cruz, Eric Quiason, Fr. Romy Hitosis, Boyet Varias and Orly Punzalan came back with 4,000 images. From these, 80 framed photographs of timeless scenes and cultural sights are on sale in a photo exhibit at the Power Plant, Rockwell Center, Makati City, until Nov. 28.
The proceeds will go to the Batanes Eco-Cultural Tourism Cooperative for its various livelihood projects and for the promotion and preservation of the pristine environment, cultural heritage, customs and traditions of the people of Batanes.
The exhibit’s sponsors are Fuji Film, Asian Spirit Airlines, Rockwell Land Corp., Window Café and Wells Photo. For inquiries, call Manny Ang or Noli Gabilo at 833-8666.