Against All Odds: Batanes Island

P.S.: This is an overdue post but I felt remembering this journey with the person I admired the most.

After our Siquijor and Apo Island trip, the Manila guy said something about their Batanes trip come March of 2019. Then his friend asked, "Why won't you come with us?"

"You are such an iconic beauty.
You held me breathless more than I could ever imagine.
You are a perfect creation."
- The Lighthouse with Mt. Iraya as its background.

Well, it was totally insane of me to buy a non-promo ticket in the first week of January when I knew anything could happen during March so I held my reins in a moment. I contemplated hard then the failed Singapore trip hit me so badly. I remembered how I missed the trip with the Manila guy because I chose my job over him. This time, I wouldn't allow this opportunity to slip away again. 

Hastily, with him in mind, I bought a roundtrip ticket to Batanes and immediately sent his friend a message. Within seconds, the Manila guy sent me a reply - a happy one!

3 Modules. 

5 Workshops. 

Sleepless nights of planning. 

Countless long meetings. 

Last minute instructions and my Batanes trip swiftly came...

A Twittered-Patted Story

I found myself in Clark Airport while catching up with the agreed time at SM Clark. I hadn't seen him yet. The only message I received from him was days ago about the meet-up place. 

His friend only told me that he would be traveling in an evening trip from Manila because he needed to finish a deadline. Thus, the waiting game began.

The guest room we were staying at was quite cozy so I allowed myself to drift away to sleep since I also had a rough and tiring day.

"Day 1 - Marked the beginning of our journey to the northernmost island in the Philippines.
In a few hours, we'll be seeing something new to our eyes. But in the meantime, a little capture "on blogger" mode won't hurt."

It was in the morning when we finally sat down and greeted each other. We had been to different trips but every time I look at him and start talking to him, I found myself searching for the right words. 

Then he started this unexpected conversation: "Why wouldn't you consider working here in Manila, Gel?" 

As if reading my mind, I replied, "I am actually applying for a job here."

Then came another reply, "I hope you'll get accepted. So we could go and travel together."

My heart was unsteady again. 

My mind's signals were everywhere. 

That was the sweetest by far I heard from him.

Though I still feel awkward. 

But I was playing a poker face while hoping I didn't blush. 

Batanes is Paradise!

The aerial view of Batanes is a perfect description of untouched nature. Its lush and rolling landscapes, glistening and pristine beaches, and unprecedented beauty are molded altogether  to create a stunning view.

"There is a story why you should blow your horn in Batanes."

I became truly emotional whilst not regretting my decision to join the group. Batanes is a wonderland! It is paradise! We didn't wait any further but immediately commenced our tour the moment we arrived. 

Day 1 in Batan

Batanes is indescribable. I felt that I was transported in a different dimension where all I could see were greens, boudlers, and the sea. This tiny island is a truly a fusion of a seascape and a landscape. 

Our tour commenced immediately while savoring each scenic views. The Manila guy and I seemed to forget each other as we satiate each eye-catching landscapes. Here are some of the photos: 

"The San Jose de Ivana Church is just across the Port of Ivana. This was used to be a chapel around the 17th century and now a symbolic structure in Batanes."

"Nothing is as invigorating as to have the sea and the mountains in one.
I truly love, #Batanes!"

Day 2 in Sabtang

The following day, the gang and I went for an overnight trip to Sabtang, a southern island in Batanes. I must say that we were lucky for a wonderful weather! It was a rough trip riding an Ivatan passenger boat but as soon as I saw the lighthouse from a distance, all of the worries and anxieties faded away. 

"Waves crushing.
Sunlight beaming.
Wind whispering.
All these elements are saying:
'What a wonderful day in Sabtang!'"

In Sabtang, I had a short but deep conversation with students when we happened to have a short tour in their stone houses. I learned that there were only a few of them in a school. Imagine, a total of 6 graduates in an elementary school. I learned that there are only few Ivatans who are living in Batanes since most of them seek to work in the capital city. 

"Literally at the top of the hill and enjoying both scenes..waves crushing and sun setting."

I have a cool story here while wearing the Vacul (an Ivatan's female headdress):

"When I was on my way back, tourists mistaken me as a local (I was still wearing this "vacul"). They said, "Oy...akala ko isang local."

I was not offended instead I walked with pride carrying an Ivatan world-class culture."

"Vacul is not your ordinary headdress. For Ivatan women, they are essential for their daily living. It protects them from the heat of the sun and the cold and strong wind. This straw-like and weather-proof hat is made from an Ivatan plant. No wonder how they are known for resiliency and creativity."

Day 3 in Basco, the Capital

The Manila guy and I only had trivial conversation althroughout the journey. Perhaps, the scenery made us even busier while sulking and contemplating our own individualities. I understood that in a remarkable manner. In a point while watching the famous Mt. Iraya, I uttered to myself that before leaving Batanes, I would successfully climb its summit. 

As if by fate, the Manila guy came nearer to me and said, "Do you want to climb that mountain? She seems very beautiful."

"Mt. Iraya had a wonderful story to tell.
It took us three days to see her beauty. She was mysteriously covering herself with clouds for the past days but at this time, we were glad to witness her grand summit.
At this vantage point, I was determined to climb Mt. Iraya before flying back to Cebu."

A string of words couldn't seem to come out from my mouth instead I nodded exaggeratedly before I finally find my words and said, "Seriously? Do you want to climb with me?"

I couldn't believe myself. I couldn't believe him - how considerate he is eversince we began traveling.

Day 4 in Mt. Iraya, the Mother of all Philippine Mountains

I must say that my journey in Batanes excluded Mt. Iraya in the first place. But her beauty is mesmerizing. She is the queen of all Philippine mountains, and I would be very lucky if she permits me to reach her summit. 

"Let me spread my wings and fly.
Let me be confident and not bother to ask why.
You are sculpted by the wind and the sea.
You are borne of fire.
You are an isolated beauty."

This is how Batanes looks like when you are 1,009 meters above sea level. We reached the summit of Mt. Iraya with a wonderful clearing. I prayed hard the night before the climb to allow us to see her magnificence. Mt. Iraya heard my prayers. She unravelled her beauty and her island. My heart couldn't be contained. This is eudaemonia. My eternal happiness. Thank you, Mother Iraya.

I love you!

Day 5 in Basco Plaza and how I met a New Friend

In a sensitive note, I am single and on my early 30's. My siblings are settled and they have families of their own. I am no longer bothered how my brothers asked me (with pressure) about my status. I am happy with who I am right now and what I have been doing with my life and how my past impacted me. Well, I was just so lucky to have met someone in Batanes whom I considered the most magical experience in my tour. 

Here is my story of the Ivatan kid:

"I was one of the few tourists who arrived in the Spring of Youth except with this kid.
He was so active stepping down the cobbled stones down to the infinity pool.

So I asked him if we could take a photo together. Without hesitation and to my delight, he hugged me tight before this photo happened.

My heart was pierced a thousand times.
I thought about the kid I took care years ago. How active he was as this kid now.
The Ivatan kid was a reflection of that kid I poured my heart into.

Then destiny happened.

When I was eating my last dinner in Batanes in their plaza, I saw a kid almost the same stature as this Ivatan boy.

I stared at him and bothered to ask the lady together with the boy.

"Had this kid gone to a cold spring days ago?"
The lady answered, "Yes, Maam."

Then silently, my heart cheered up.

It was KC that I saw in him.
That strong vortex that pulled me closer to the kid.
I hugged the Ivatan boy and said, "Mampit ka."
"Mabait ka."

He laughed and said, "Ate my tablet ako. Picture po tayo."

I left Batanes with an inspiration.
Kids.
They bring me closer to KC.  

(KC is my nephew whom I took care for 7 years starting when he was still 2 weeks old, and until his mother brought her to Germany. I never saw him when he left, and I only spoke to him for four times in two years. It always breaks my heart every time I think of him."

Final Thoughts:

Fate must be playing hide-and-seek with me. Indeed, I got accepted in a job I was applying for (IELTS Trainer) hoping to be assigned in Manila. I was grateful how the Manila guy made his follow-ups about my application, and he was checking on me from time-to-time however, I got the sad news. I was assigned in General Santos City in Mindanao. I was ambivalent for a long time until I traveled in the city and turned my life in a different perspective. 

"Image you can feel..."

P.S.S.: I made this article because one moment, the Manila guy promised to visit me while I was assigned in Mindanao. We made plans but then during the pandemic, I found out that he has been dating there. It is not as if I was hoping but for more than five years of traveling together, I must say that what we talked in Mt. Iraya made sense.

"Like this photo, life is a bicycle - keep your balance. Learn to ride your own and keep moving forward while taking in the lessons in the past..."

"There is a kind of love that doesn't have to be in a relationship. That kind of love we can treasure for the rest of our life, and while apart, be happy and contented with the memories of such love." - Manila guy, Mt. Iraya conversation while at the summit. 

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