Batanes: Land of Beauty and Danger
BATANES: Land of Beauty and Danger
Mar 29 to May 3, 2007
Faluwa Ride to Sabtang island
BUMPY WAVES
The transportation to Batanes nowadays is by airplanes but in the previous years, ships sailed for a time before reaching Luzon. From Batan to Sabtang, a bumpy faluwa ride awaits. From Batan to Itbayat, there are two options: a 45-minute bumpy boat ride or a 10-minute air flight from a 10-seater plane which lands on an uncemented runway. I have experienced virtually all means of transportation there: jeepney, boat, truck, tricycle, airplane and my unforgettable 9-kilometer bumpy motorcycle ride from Nakanmuan to San Vicente (Centro) in Sabtang island which is comparable to a motocross race.
The water in Sabtang channel was turbulent considering that it was summer. What more during stormy season? It is natural for Batanes’ waters to be bumpy. The waves is not unidirectional, it opposes one another as the South China Sea meets the North Pacific Ocean. It is interesting to note that a boat ride to Sabtang is from San Vicente in Ivana to San Vicente in Sabtang. The people pray for a safe journey under the patronage of San Vicente Ferrer. The boat ride is a flight from one San Vicente to another so a committed missionary must face the challenge of transportation.
The transportation to Batanes nowadays is by airplanes but in the previous years, ships sailed for a time before reaching Luzon. From Batan to Sabtang, a bumpy faluwa ride awaits. From Batan to Itbayat, there are two options: a 45-minute bumpy boat ride or a 10-minute air flight from a 10-seater plane which lands on an uncemented runway. I have experienced virtually all means of transportation there: jeepney, boat, truck, tricycle, airplane and my unforgettable 9-kilometer bumpy motorcycle ride from Nakanmuan to San Vicente (Centro) in Sabtang island which is comparable to a motocross race.
The water in Sabtang channel was turbulent considering that it was summer. What more during stormy season? It is natural for Batanes’ waters to be bumpy. The waves is not unidirectional, it opposes one another as the South China Sea meets the North Pacific Ocean. It is interesting to note that a boat ride to Sabtang is from San Vicente in Ivana to San Vicente in Sabtang. The people pray for a safe journey under the patronage of San Vicente Ferrer. The boat ride is a flight from one San Vicente to another so a committed missionary must face the challenge of transportation.
Marker of the First Mass in Batanes
IMNAJBU
Mere presence means a lot. When the Spanish Dominicans arrived in the 17th century in Batanes after circumventing the treacherous Balintang Channel, they landed in a site called Imnajbu. A marker stands to remind the people of the dawn of evangelization of the islands amidst the painstaking challenges of the mission. When we went there, somehow I felt the connection with the past. I admire the fortitude of the early Spanish missionaries and I am challenged to continue their mission of spreading the Good News to all walks of life. After Bishop Salazar’s term, it was only when we arrived that the people saw the Dominican habit again. Our mere presence delighted the people. Our mere presence is a continuation of Imnajbu. It is a gift to be with them as well. It is challenge to make our presence felt.
Mere presence means a lot. When the Spanish Dominicans arrived in the 17th century in Batanes after circumventing the treacherous Balintang Channel, they landed in a site called Imnajbu. A marker stands to remind the people of the dawn of evangelization of the islands amidst the painstaking challenges of the mission. When we went there, somehow I felt the connection with the past. I admire the fortitude of the early Spanish missionaries and I am challenged to continue their mission of spreading the Good News to all walks of life. After Bishop Salazar’s term, it was only when we arrived that the people saw the Dominican habit again. Our mere presence delighted the people. Our mere presence is a continuation of Imnajbu. It is a gift to be with them as well. It is challenge to make our presence felt.
Itbayat Shoreline
STRANDED IN ITBAYAT
The supposed to be three days in Itbayat, the northermost inhabited island of the Philippines, became six. I cannot count anymore how many times we bid goodbye to the people without knowing that our flight will be cancelled again and again. Fr. Domingo Deníz, OP did not allow us to take the boat. The people have superstitious belief that one should not take a boat on the feast of St. Catherine of Siena. In the previous years, accidents happened on this date according to them. My companion was beginning to lose hope that a flight will not be scheduled until after a month because that happened to others. However, we remained steadfast in faith and we did the things that must be done momentarily until the flight resumed.
The supposed to be three days in Itbayat, the northermost inhabited island of the Philippines, became six. I cannot count anymore how many times we bid goodbye to the people without knowing that our flight will be cancelled again and again. Fr. Domingo Deníz, OP did not allow us to take the boat. The people have superstitious belief that one should not take a boat on the feast of St. Catherine of Siena. In the previous years, accidents happened on this date according to them. My companion was beginning to lose hope that a flight will not be scheduled until after a month because that happened to others. However, we remained steadfast in faith and we did the things that must be done momentarily until the flight resumed.
St. Charles Borromeo Parish in Mahatao
BAYANIHAN SPIRIT IN BATANES
Any great fiesta in Batanes will not happen without the entire settlement participating. I’ve seen it in Mahatao during the blessing of the newly-renovated Church and in Ivana during the feastday of St. Joseph the Worker. As early as 2:00 am, men slaughtered cows and pigs and the women cooked their traditional food and rice afterwards. The children also have a contribution in helping their mothers prepare for the feast.
If one needs help in planting crops or when a worn-out cogon roof must be replaced, the neighborhood is ever-ready to help. In time of their need, it is natural to help others as well. Bayanihan is community life. If a person has no community life, it is very evident because he will be fixing his own roof alone.
Any great fiesta in Batanes will not happen without the entire settlement participating. I’ve seen it in Mahatao during the blessing of the newly-renovated Church and in Ivana during the feastday of St. Joseph the Worker. As early as 2:00 am, men slaughtered cows and pigs and the women cooked their traditional food and rice afterwards. The children also have a contribution in helping their mothers prepare for the feast.
If one needs help in planting crops or when a worn-out cogon roof must be replaced, the neighborhood is ever-ready to help. In time of their need, it is natural to help others as well. Bayanihan is community life. If a person has no community life, it is very evident because he will be fixing his own roof alone.
Basco Shoreline
PREACHING BY WITNESSING
Though the Ivatans are scattered in three major islands, a scandal in one island does not only spread in the entire island in no time but can reach the other islands as well especially with the advent of texting. People, naturally, desire to know. Being witnesses to our preaching is an effective way of spreading the Good News in these islands. Once, when I delivered a homily on the feast of St. Catherine of Siena in Itbayat, I was surprised that the people from Batan Island already knew about it when we arrived there. Even before we arrived in Batanes, the Bishop has announced to the people that we will be coming and they really anticipated it. By the mere fact that our arrival in the islands delighted the people, so they expected us not to be just nominal preachers but servants of God who preach by witnessing.
Though the Ivatans are scattered in three major islands, a scandal in one island does not only spread in the entire island in no time but can reach the other islands as well especially with the advent of texting. People, naturally, desire to know. Being witnesses to our preaching is an effective way of spreading the Good News in these islands. Once, when I delivered a homily on the feast of St. Catherine of Siena in Itbayat, I was surprised that the people from Batan Island already knew about it when we arrived there. Even before we arrived in Batanes, the Bishop has announced to the people that we will be coming and they really anticipated it. By the mere fact that our arrival in the islands delighted the people, so they expected us not to be just nominal preachers but servants of God who preach by witnessing.
WELCOME TO BATANES
Batanes holds two distinctions: it is the northernmost and the smallest province of the Philippines both in terms of population and land area. However, it is more than just geographical superlatives. It can broaden the horizon of its tourists both foreign and local. I, together with Fr. (then Rev.) Val Magboo, OP, treasure my exposure in Batanes as a deacon not only for sentimental reason that the Dominicans evangelized Batanes but also because of the warm welcome that was given to us by the people headed by Most Rev. Camilo Gregorio, DD, Bishop-Prelate of Batanes and the challenges of the mission that we experienced.
Batanes holds two distinctions: it is the northernmost and the smallest province of the Philippines both in terms of population and land area. However, it is more than just geographical superlatives. It can broaden the horizon of its tourists both foreign and local. I, together with Fr. (then Rev.) Val Magboo, OP, treasure my exposure in Batanes as a deacon not only for sentimental reason that the Dominicans evangelized Batanes but also because of the warm welcome that was given to us by the people headed by Most Rev. Camilo Gregorio, DD, Bishop-Prelate of Batanes and the challenges of the mission that we experienced.
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God bless you!