La vita è bella

When Taal Volcano erupted on 12 January 2020, one of the things that popped into my mind (aside from our friends and our fellow Filipinos living near the volcano) is the Taal Heritage Town in Batangas. I heard from the news that the town was among those badly affected after the Taal Volcano’s phreatic eruption. Can’t help but to wonder—a new year, a new decade has just begun, January 2020 pa lang, ang dami nang nangyari. Some of the major news last January: (1) bushfires in Australia; (2) US attack Iran; (3) Ukraine plane down; (4) Taal Volcano eruption; (5) Kobe Bryant’s death; (6) Novel Coronavirus or 2019 NCoV, later renamed as CoViD 19. January 2020 was too heavy.

The love month (February) is almost over (it's February 29, 2020. Yes, it's a leap day); as we enter to a new month (March), it is good to reflect on this fact— Life is full of uncertainty. And no matter how smart or good you are in handling things or how talented you are, things can still get out of your control. You are simply a human. Yes, we are human. So instead of over thinking everything, start living in the present. And since our life here on earth is limited, we need to be more authentic about who we are and more deliberate about how we spend our time. Live intentionally and learn to focus on what matters most to us— relationships and the fulfillment of our unique purpose on this earth.

Talking about the uncertainty and shortness of life, while writing and choosing the pictures to be included in this blog, I was reminded of Noel Cabangon’s song, “Kanlungan,” particularly this stanza —

“Lumilipas ang panahon
Kabiyak ng ating gunita
Ang mga puno't halaman
Bakit kailangang lumisan?

Pana-panahon ang pagkakataon
Maibabalik ba ang kahapon?”

I was reminded of this song maybe because of the places and sights we visited during our tour at Taal Heritage Village sometime in June 2016. It was a great learning experience. Seeing the ancestral/old houses, including all furniture, fixtures, portraits etc inside....... napatanong ako bigla, “Paano kaya mamuhay ang mga tao noong araw? Gaano kaya kasaya o kalungkot ang mga tao na nakatira sa bahay/lugar na ‘to?” I was telling myself, “Ganun lang kadali lumipas ang panahon. Buhay ka ngayon, pagdating ng panahon magiging alaala ka na lang.” And those old houses, old trees, old cars, old photographs, etc., saksi na lang sila sa mga alaala at pangyayari nang nakaraan, and whatever stories that they tell deserve to be heard by future generations. Can't help but to write short poems.

And our walking tour began .......

The town’s most important landmark is the nearly two-centuries-old Basilica of St. Martin de Tours, popularly known as the Taal Basilica. The facade of the Basilica resembles St. Peter's Basilica in Rome. It was declared as a national shrine on January 16, 1974.

According to the residents, this arch marks the spot where the Virgin Mary allegedly appeared to a girl, Catalina Talayn. The Sta. Lucia well is also in this place.

Shrine of Our Lady of Caysasay.

The old houses.......
Lakad pa more

Not only old or ancestral houses, there are also historic houses and museums in the town.
Lakad pa uli... lakad lang ng lakad.

Marcela Agoncillo Museum/House is one of Taal's oldest, built in the late 17th century by Marcela's grandfather Andres Mariño. It was in this house that the first Philippine flag was sewn by hand by Marcella Agoncillo.

Ooops... kala ko by hand? haha

Next stop.......

Can you imagine life without camera? Hmmm.... Camera is very important especially to a sentimental person (like me? hahaha... how about semi-sentimental & semi-logical?). Mga moments na need to be remembered, ang camera ang tutulong sayo. It will help you to preserve memories of historical/sentimental value. Kaya ang next stop-- Galleria Taal Camera Museum.

Hindi po sya pang BP, camera po sya...

And the food...

Ang "Tatlong Bibe"

How we ended the tour?

Our tour has ended but the memories.......

....... the memories will be forever in my mind and in my heart.

Mind.... because we learned new things about our nation's history; we were given the chance to meet and experience the past. Para syang naging educational tour and somehow, a reunion for some of us (you may check my Baguio travel blog, you will see same faces hehe).

Heart.... because of the realization that indeed, life is full of uncertainty; that we cannot control everything and the only thing we can do is to accept the fact that some things are beyond our control; that relationships (vertical- your relationship with God; horizontal- your relationship with others) are what life is all about.

How about you? How is your relationship with God, with the people around you (your family, friends, co-workers.......)? I admit that at times, it is not easy to prioritize relationships, especially that our world today is becoming increasingly filled with distraction. It is quite challenging, nowadays, to have and maintain healthy relationships. People are too busy. But we have no guarantee of tomorrow. Circumstances change. People die. You and your loved ones are not immortal. All of us will leave this world and the fact is, we do not know when are we going to die.

How many times did I hear someone saying, “Life is a journey.” Somebody said that “the "journey" aspect of life does not emphasize the destination. It emphasizes the path to getting there.” One netizen opined that it “is a statement of the nature of life.” Whatever the meaning of this saying, all of us, one way or another, will agree that we do not need to wait for everything to be perfect before deciding to take our journey. Sabi nga, “the only impossible journey is the one you never begin.” It may be risky, it may be chancy, it may be uncomfortable, it may be difficult, it may be wearisome, it may be backbreaking. I agree that the journey of life is never easy. You cannot know everything that is going to happen before it happens. If this is the case, then, it is better to enjoy every part of the journey. What we need to consider is that every step in one’s journey may give a lasting reward; an unforgettable experience that may change one’s perspective in life. Just like our Batanes trip, we took some risk; accepted the possibility that the trip may be cancelled due to weather (our Batanes trip was set in July 2017-- rainy season na). There was “what if...” moment when I was informed about the dates of our travel. I even told them, “July talaga? Tag-ulan na ‘yun. Daanan kaya ng bagyo ang Batanes.” I was also worried because I was selected as one of the mediators in a sensational case few days before our Batanes trip. In fact, one day before our departure from Manila to Batanes, I still need to attend a mediation hearing. That day, naka set na sana ako na mag under time since 6am of the following day ang aming flight going to Batanes. Pero ano magagawa ko, work yun. My only remedy is to finish the mediation before 4pm na nangyari naman but guess what? Umulan nang pagkalakas-lakas. Need to stay sa office at hindi naman ako waterproof. I was able to leave naman before 5pm, yun lang I was so tired and exhausted that day.

Marami man nangyari few days before our trip; pagod man few hours before our flight, tuloy pa rin ang biyahe.

While looking out from the airplane window, I was reminded of the song "Constant Change" by Jose Marie Chan-- "We're all like clouds that move across the skies and changing form before our very eyes....... 'Cause life's a constant change and nothing stays the same..." Sabi nga, "Change is the only constant thing in this world." Bakit nga kaya ganun; bakit ang buhay ay punong-puno ng pagbabago...

Mt. Iraya greeted us upon landing at the [Basco] airport.

Basco Lighthouse. This offers a spectacular view of the Pacific Ocen, as well as other parts of Batan Island and its rugged mountain cliffs facing the West Philippine Sea.

It is undeniable that Batanes is everybody’s dream destination.

Batanes is the only province in the Philippines declared as a Protected Landscape and Seascape area by R.A. Nos. 8991 and 7586. Batanes is nearer to Taiwan (190kms north) than mainland Luzon (280kms away from Aparri). This province is among the most sought-after tourism frontier destination located at the confluence of the West Philippine Sea and Pacific Ocean. Batanes is composed of 10 islands, with only 3 inhabited— Batan, Sabtang and Itbayat.

Valugan Boulder Beach- The “mabato” or rock bay is popularly known for its long stretch of boulders due to Mt. Iraya’s eruption in 400 AD.

an endless waves of rolling hills…

Japanese Tunnel- this serves as a lookout spot, and a water reservoir, was constructed during the Japanese occupation as a defensive position.

Racuh a Payaman-this was called by American tourists as Marlboro Country due to its endless hills, wind-swept communal pasturelands for cows, carabaos and horses. This place is perfect for nature lovers and photographers.

We really enjoyed this place. Sobrang ganda! The weather is perfect! Summer in July.

And then, I remember this song-

"You can show me the way

Give me a sunny day

But what does it mean

Without your love....

And if I could fly away
If I could sail today
Where would I go
Without your love..."

God's creation is indeed beautiful and perfect. Naisip ko nga kung hindi ako natuloy sa travel na 'to ang laki/dami ng namiss ko. Then, I was reminded of the "Someday Syndrome" (from the book One Month to Live by Kerry & Chris Shook)-- "Someday I'm going to go for all that life has to offer." "When I retire, then I'm going to enjoy life." "When I make enough money, then I'm really going to spend more time with my family/friends." Marami pa-- Someday. One day. When. If. But life is unpredictable; you never know what's coming next. Kaya, Someday is right now. Sabi nga sa book, "We were not designed to be slaves to time. We were created to be active and present in the lives we've been given. Make the most of your time by spending it on a legacy that will last long after your time on earth has ended." I agree. For me, I value relationships; yun lang naman ata ang pwede kong i-contribute sa mundong ito. Pero honestly, ang hirap gawin. Ang hirap minsan i-balance ng mga bagay-bagay. But our lives on this earth are temporal and finite. So, I decided to start now-- not someday; not one day; not when; not if; but now.

On our way to Spring of Youth...

Spring of Youth is a man-made pool with a view of the Pacific Ocean and Mt. Iraya.

Honesty Coffee Shop- An unmanned refreshment store which has become famous worldwide for showcasing Ivatan’s honesty. There is no standby seller, the owners rely on the honesty of its customers when paying for goods from the store.

House of Dakay- It was built of lime and stone in 1887 and owned by Luisa Etrlla who bequeathed it to her favorite nephew, Jose “Dakay” Estrella. A survivor of the destructive earthquake on 13 September 1918 which destroyed much of the town.

The Old Spanish Bridge

San Jose el Obrero Church- Built in 1784, it is the only church in Batan with a separate belltower constructed 30 years later. It is here where katipuneros commanded by Capt. Perea landed on 18 September 1898 to liberate the province from the Spaniards.

Port of Ivana

Maydangeb Beach-

Located along the national highway about 9 kilometers from Basco; a cove with white/cream colored sand.

The Tayid Lighthouse...

Alapad Rock Formations- “I-Dawn Zulueta mo ako.” This place become popular by the movie “Hihintayin Kita sa Langit” which starred Richard Gomez and Dawn Zulueta.

San Carlos Borromeo Church

Song-song Ruins- Remnants of an old settlement which were ravaged by tsunami sometime in 1950. Residents were given homesteads in Mindanao under the Magsaysay resettlement program. At present, it is a thriving coastal community again.

National Museu Branch- on going renovation of the used to be Long-Range Aid to Navigation (LORAN) site constructed by the Americans. It will soon open as a repository of the rich ethnology, history and cultural heritage of Batanes.

From Batan to Sabtang Island.......

The waves, yes the strong and rough waves!!! We will never forget this faluwa ride.

Faluwa is a traditional boat being used in transporting people and goods from one island to another. It is capable of riding the waves instead of going against it, kaya nga wala syang "katig."

Sabtang Lighthouse.......

Village of Traditional Houses (Bahay na Bato)

Traditional Old House

Yuvuk is a farming container for women used for keeping, handling or transporting farm products. The artistic cone-shaped basket is carried with a strap suspended and hanged at the back. The strap is adjustable according to the height of the user. Upper part weave of the strap is flat to make it comfortable for the carrier.

Kanayi is an all-weather sleeveless “jacket” gear worn by man while working in the farm. There are two (2) types of kanayi, the Dinung made from stripped vuyavuy leaves and the Tadidi made of banana leaves. It cools the body on hot working days and keeps warm on rainy and cold days.

The Vacul or Suut is a woman’s headgear which is used as a protective gear from rains and the sun’s heat while working in their farms. It is an all-weather protective gear. It is cool on hot season and warm on cold/rainy season.