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Bobby Wong Jr. | profile | all galleries >> My Travels >> Awesome Batanes tree view | thumbnails | slideshow

Awesome Batanes

The Batanes Islands is the remotest & northern-most province in the Philippines. For years I've dreamt of visiting it purely for photography. Those who've gone before me described the place as "...a little like Switzerland or New Zealand.....or like the shores of the wind-swept Irish Isles...or like no other place in the Philippines..."

Early this year, that dream came true. I joined five other photographers in a trek to Batan and Sabtang islands for four straight days of pure and intense photography. Sunrises, sunsets, and everything in-between, we captured them all. What they said about Batanes is all true! What an awesome place!

Successfully photographing Batanes in only four days was a challenge, but great shots were easy thanks to our guide Noli Gabilo, a local Ivatan and a world-class photographer. Noli knows the local terrain, a location's photographic potential at different times of the day, and all the right places to stay and to eat. You will not be disappointed. Contact Noli Gabilo at noligabilovp@yahoo.com Highly recommended.
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Day One: Naidi Hill Lighthouse
Day One: Naidi Hill Lighthouse 		Vayang Hills
Vayang Hills 		Day 2: Tukon Radar Hill
Day 2: Tukon Radar Hill
Sinakan, Faces & Places
Sinakan, Faces & Places 		Sinakan town tiny flowers
Sinakan town tiny flowers 		A-haw shore wildflowers
A-haw shore wildflowers
Murung Cliffs Sunset
Murung Cliffs Sunset 		Day 3: Sunrise on Savidug
Day 3: Sunrise on Savidug 		Trapped on Sabtang Island
Trapped on Sabtang Island
Faces of Sabtang Island
Faces of Sabtang Island 		Stone Houses of Sabtang Island
Stone Houses of Sabtang Island 		Chadpidan Sunset
Chadpidan Sunset
Day 4: A Valugan Sunrise
Day 4: A Valugan Sunrise 		The Cliffs of Chawa
The Cliffs of Chawa 		Vayang Hills Encore
Vayang Hills Encore
Naida Hill Wildflowers
Naida Hill Wildflowers 		Views from Shanedel's Inn
Views from Shanedel's Inn 		AwesomeBatanes.jpg

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tatao do lunga 12-Feb-2012 02:04
why do we Filipinos always put our attention to the mistakes of our own without even recognizing the good accomplishment. Don't we realize that it is us who makes our country fall.
Guest 12-Feb-2012 02:03
why do we Filipinos always put our attention to the mistakes of our own without even recognizing the good accomplishment. Don't we realize that it is us who makes our country fall.
guest 25-Aug-2011 03:52
...TRULY, IT IS INDEED AWESOME AND MARVÈLOÚS!!!.AS I AM OUTSIDE AWAY FROM THE PH FOR QUITE SOMETIME I LONG 2 GO AND VISIT THÌS EMERGING TOURIST DESTINATIONS..
Guest 30-Jul-2011 10:49
still awesome
name 08-Feb-2011 19:00
5dnAFo Give somebody the to a site about the,
LeUnardo 27-Jan-2011 16:17
2 oL bloggers ds site gud or bad ur comments the most important is this part of undiscoverd remote part of Philippines is aching to be seen by both local and foreigners...TELL the world we have best of tropical destinations this region...
aba 08-May-2010 07:23
kayong mga pinoy kahit ano pa gawin nyo d na titino pilipinas sa inyo napakasamang nababasa ito ng mga anak nyo sabagay wala na ko jan sa pinas anoman mangyari sa inyo jan, nag alyas man o hindi ang mga sangkot dito halata talaga na kung wala man nangyaring nakawan siguradong may inggitan dito sa bansang kinaroroonan ko ngayon kahit makasalubong ako ng pinoy at kahit batiin ko pa karamihan nang iisnab napakasama ng ugali ng mga pinoy
dukay 09-Mar-2010 13:45
,. ellow,.
I just want to make it clear,.
Sir Kiko is a good person to us Ivatan, so sa mga INGGITERO dyan, you better shot your mouths,. you'ld better ask my co-ivatan,. especially in ITbud,.
at sasabihin namin sa inyo kung gano namin kamahal si sir KIko,.
mavid a wakay 09-Mar-2010 13:39
,. I'm an iVatan and proud to be!",.
Kiko Datar is very a nice person and we consider him as a
part of the Itbud Family,..
because of him he let us know more about our ancestors and encourage us to keep our culture as it was before,.
Batanes really a nice place,.
just Visit to witness,.
Boulette Evangelista 22-Aug-2009 07:19
never been to Batanes but that is the place of my long lost freind Vic Castillejos who used to live in an apartment in Malakas st. Pinahan Quezon City. One of our friends is Eva de Castro His neigh
bor. in 1976. If you know him please this is my email address bouletsky@yahoo.com. Im Boulette
Evangelista. I graduated at the University of the East.
Galing ng mga shots mo! Congrats! Thank You.
ivatan du katukunan 12-Aug-2009 14:10
GRABE MGA SHOTS MO BOB, lalo na mga pics nyo sa hometown ng erpats ko sa Sabtang, ginawa kong mga screen saver... Salamat sa pag pasyal nyo sa aming paraiso, salamat sa pag iingat at pagmamahal... Sana manumbalik ang dating kaugalian ng tao, ang maging mapagpakumbaba... I'm an Ivatan by BLOOD & BIRTH, that's why I'm also an F.B.I.(Full Blooded Ivatan). Dios mamajes giniu atavu a kakakteh a ivatan, masiasidung ta, tapian may papya u kavahayan ta, kaniraw kakakteh ta a ivatan... DIOS DA NAU MAMAJES MU BOB DU KATAYTU NIU PAYA UMPASINCHAD SU DIKEY AYA KAVAHAYAN NAMEN DU KAYVAN NIU KAN DU KADWAN PASA TAWU.
Guest 09-Mar-2009 19:30
Kiko Datar is manakanakaw!
mavid 13-Jan-2009 03:32
We know Dr. Kiko Datar very well coz for us he is not only a professor but also a mentor and a very good friend. We've been his student for 4 years and we spent more than 3 months with him in Itbud during our field school. We can tell how the people of Itbud love him. He is even called "Son of Itbud".

We agree with Angie and we're proud to say that we are members of Kiko's cult.

Anyway, thanks bobby for posting such very good shots.
wakay!!! 24-Dec-2008 08:29
The pictures are great... as always... who could go wrong when in Batanes...

changsa ko na wakay...

It just is a shame that when I read the posted comments here I realized that this site was also used for some kind of black propaganda against some individual whom we wakay really know of...
Francisco A. Datar 12-Nov-2008 12:47
That's the advantage of building a cult, there's always someone to protect you
angie 08-Nov-2008 01:24
hi, i just could not help myself but comment about the tangential topic about the Ivatan collection in the custody of Dr. Datar. NUNG MU and a poser KIKO DATAR made really bad jokes about the collection. Of course, Dr Datar would not let his name be smeared in the internet. I've been his student for 3 semesters now, and I can tell you that the Ivatan collection is in very safe hands. The remains are in clean, well kept, labeled boxes in several well maintained cabinets. I have seen Ivatan people visit and they always see it there. Can you handle the remains just because you want to. The answer is no because these are human remains and should be accorded the highest respect due them.They are not to be gawked at and manhandled as a curiosity nor do you practice your skills in such an important collection. I myself had been turned down to handle this collection because I had wanted to practice osteologic skills on them and looking back, he's right. As for scholars wanting to study the collection, please have your protocol ready for evaluation kasi baka naman mayroon nang gumagawa noong same study na yan na you want to do, siyempre di ka na rin ma-grant access. Limited access is not about pagdadamot, its about giving these human remains the dignity and privacy that they deserve. Who wants their relatives to be exposed and mangled by uncaring students? As far as forensic cases are concerned, these cases are always covered by the cloak of confidentiality. He is not beholden to ERIC or anybody that he should announce every forensic case he handles. His forensic cases are none of ERIC's business, or my business or anybody elses. His responsibility is only to himself and to his requesting party, that he has done the best possible job in these cases. As a forensic practitioner myself, ang masasabi ko ay ayaw mo mapag-chismisan ang kaso mo kasi baka maging prejudicial at i-accuse ka ng bias kaya rin di pinangangalandakan at di pinagsasabi kung kani-kanino. Ethical practice lang yun. I don't know if ERIC, NUNG MU and poser KIKO DATAR had grudges against Dr. Francisco Datar. Did he give you guys dismal grades? Baka sour-graping lang naman kayo. You should have known you have to work your ass off in a Datar class. As his student, I have always received fair grades commensurate with my output.
carlo 20-Sep-2008 06:52
hi sir kiko,pataknamin am mapsek ka!!!!!!
Amy 10-Sep-2008 10:40
Great shots!
Francisco A. Datar 08-Sep-2008 14:23
Inggit ka lang sa akin, Eric. Kasi ako ang only forensic expert in the Philippines. Ang iba puro pretenders tulad ni Fortun at Bailen. Ako rin lang ang expert on Ivatan culture. Wala namang degree sa anthropology ang iba.
Eric 18-Aug-2008 09:34
I beg your pardon Francisco Datar, ipinagdadamot mo ang mga nakuha mong artifacts at skeletal remains sa Batanes. Lamunin mo na lang yan lahat kung ayaw mong pag-aaralan o ibahagi ang kaalaman sa ibang scholars. You even have a forensic case na di mo ipinaaalam. Shame on you! Ang hirap kasi sa iyo you are so insecure! Kahit mga walang atraso sa iyo ay inaaway mo. Leche ka!
Evangeline Baliday Mangoma Ramos 03-Jul-2008 10:26
batanes is the hometown of my mom at Brgy. Itbud, Basco Batanes the Adami family and Baliday family. How I wish Icould reach the place soon. my email add vangieramos2008@yahoo.com. from: Evangeline Baliday Mangoma-RAmos
Francisco A. Datar 26-Jun-2008 09:54
yaken si uyud a Kiko Datar. Yaken ava umpa-post su message dated 18 April 2008. Pinarin da nu mararahet a tawu, maynanahet a tawu.Pakasi nio!Hindi ko kailangan magnakaw sa Batanes, all I have to do is ask.
Itanong na lang sa mga Ivatan na tumira o nakapunta na sa bahay at lab: former Itbud Barangay Captain Mrs. Rosie Balderas,Mrs. Cristeta Baldomar, Roland Gonzales,Ronald Rodriguez, Jonalyn Baliday, Johannes Ybay, Mary Joy Ybay-Baldomar, Mrs. Fely Batin, Pinong Adami, Ellen Adami, Arnie Ybay etc.
KIKO DATAR 18-Apr-2008 04:19
HINDI ALAM NG MGA IVATAN NASA BAHAY KO SA QUEZON CITY UNG MGA ANTIQUE NA NINAKAW KO JN,HE HE HE DI KO NA IBABALIK MGA YAN KC IBEBENTA KO SA NATIONAL MUSEUM UN.MGA UTO UTO KC SILA
NUNG MU 18-Apr-2008 04:15
OY MGA ULOL PANGIT SA BATANES SI KIKO DATAR ITO NG UP ANTHROPOLOGY SA DILIMAN HANAPIN NYO AKO DUN TA
vina 11-Apr-2008 09:19
My home sweet home........!! No matter where I am and how long I am away from BATANES- i know in my heart that it will always be home worth coming to and no one can take that IVATAN in me. Masdep a wakaii !!

I'd like to welcome Mr. James Smith- Happy viewing !!

With love from Dxb
acel villamor 09-Apr-2008 16:20
one day ...i will be back...i really miss sabtang...there's no place like old sweet home...
Guest 09-Mar-2008 20:51
I would like to visit Batanes one of this days ... Fly the friendly skies of UAL
Guest 03-Jan-2008 11:17
God is an awesome God because He made things beautiful and He want us to enjoy His creation. I'm planning to visit that place also with my friends this year. Grabi ang ganda talaga ng creation...
gArAh_824 03-Jan-2008 10:40
wow naman hanep ang mga pictures naka2matay. . . . .grabe. . . . ahhhh. . . . love yah. . . .
mike napel 16-Oct-2007 12:34
how i wish somebody will sponsor all my expenses going to batanes..im from cebu ..maawa kayo....my cell no..09168249419
camille 13-Sep-2007 09:30
uy...javid nah...talaga du vatan.......wakay!!!!
chal 08-Sep-2007 10:03
Wui mga wkayyy!!! i wanna go bak na sa ating Own Province.. Makakangengsahhh!!!! maxado kaxe mgnda ung pics dito.. perfect
joe berana 17-Aug-2007 15:36
dios mamajes du ka appreciate nyu aya su kvhyan nmen aya.............. tnx alot..... visit batanes frequently okeyyyyyyyyyy................. nice................
Mila L. 11-Aug-2007 14:19
Never been to Batanes...my mom's birthplace. She will tell us stories of how awesome and beautiful it is and now looking at these pictures made it all a reality.
I'm hoping to make it there the next time I go back for my next vacation together with my other half who is also in awe of all the beautiful sceneries in these photographs. Thank you for sharing this experience with us!!!! God bless you!
Capt. Hontomin 19-Jul-2007 11:00
It's nice and refreshing to view the heartthrobbing uncomparable views of my native home province Batanes at the middle of the blue deep oceans in this world!

Kudos to the last local administration who were able to connect my beloved Batanes to the outside world through their good projects like communications, etc. and to your effort. Indeed these things helped me a lot and those fellow Ivatan seafarers who brave the tempest of gowing down to challenge the mysteries of the 7 seas in order to follow their dreams beyond the seashores and horizons of our beloved Batanes isles.

Your pictures trenched the thirst of being far away from home. . .my very beautiful homeland Batanes with a very warm hearted and peace loving inhabitants called. . .Ivatans!

Kapian kamu nu Diyos atavu!
Guest 28-Jun-2007 04:26
well gues... kung cnu kaman....pareho tyo sa comment.....n nu chakey ku ayam khap daw su view nubahy namen awri....hehe add nyo pla ako sa frendster.....obinas26@yahoo.com..
Guest 02-Jun-2007 08:27
yaken si kusi berana du itbud.

an mian sayaw guest a mangay du vatan am vatahen nyo padira u kaparitrato da jaken as kapangay da pa sya du internet aya.
olek 24-May-2007 09:03
2 kuna mangsah jah...i'm always dreaming of going home!..nice pics
Wakay Ako 16-May-2007 05:53
RE: Guest 13-Apr-2007 06:33
great pictures. my family are going there this May for a reunion & also to support my uncle during election day ( i heard he's the most honest politician in the philippines --- vote for Vicente Gato!). anyways, i've never visited batanes, but now that i saw your pictures---i'm so looking forward going there. thanks for capturing batanes.

I'm from Batanes and I konw for a fact that Gov. Vic Gato is one of the most honest public servant in Batanes - almost all LP people are (well, as far as Batanes is concerned).

I just came from Basco yesterday to witness the DIRTIEST ELECTION IN BATANES! Nakakalungkot kasi Batanes has been known for its honest and principled voters.

Anyway, I hope DIASNES & CASTILLEJOS will be able to govern Batanes the way they claim to in their speeches.

I'm saddened how Ivatans were actually romanticized by these people.
cherryl 10-May-2007 11:17
WOW! The place was really amazingly and breathtakingly beautiful!! It was like we were in a postcard everywhere we go. Would love to go back there. :)
cherryl 25-Apr-2007 08:58
Im going to Batanes this saturday, april 28!! Looking at your pictures, i cant wait to see the place and be drowned in its beauty and splendor...
Guest 20-Apr-2007 04:43
Awesome Batanes talaga ;)
We spent the whole Holy week there and I can say, we left our hearts in Batanes ;)

Great pictures!!!! I already enjoyed the ones that I took and my friends photos but seeing your gallery.... I was speechless much like the same as when I was seeing the place myself
gicelle... 18-Apr-2007 07:15
super duper excited na me to go to batanes and to explore the chanting place with my close true real and loving frendzzzz...C.T.R.L... for sure it would be a lot of fun....ang ganda nang BATANES....
gicelle 18-Apr-2007 07:04
its a great and magnificent place...me and my friends are going to visit the place this coming august.....ang saya-saya dba!
Guest 13-Apr-2007 06:33
great pictures. my family are going there this May for a reunion & also to support my uncle during election day ( i heard he's the most honest politician in the philippines --- vote for Vicente Gato!). anyways, i've never visited batanes, but now that i saw your pictures---i'm so looking forward going there. thanks for capturing batanes.
Alpha 27-Jan-2007 01:46
Cool and nice pics... LOVE NATURE and love your art... (",)
Janet_23 16-Jan-2007 10:21
wow ang ganda ng pics, we will really visit Batanes this year.... its like going to New Zealand.....
mct 15-Jan-2007 13:08
my friends and I are planning to go to Batanes this summer....seeing the pix...wow!!! we're definitely going!!
ABIJAH SAMARA 12-Jan-2007 09:50
GREAT PICTURES!!! LOVE THE PLACE!!! MY BIG DREAM TO VISIT THE PLACE ALONG WITH MY FAMILY.
jacquis 07-Nov-2006 08:50
..wow javid napa...
shugo 25-Oct-2006 08:28
Mavid a tiban as abo paw kartos para makapayvividi to Divatan
che 27-Sep-2006 05:21
AMAZING Batanes!! That's what I call true paradise!
ben ablaza 10-Sep-2006 14:22
Tayto aco na naiindes na cumaro di vatan as tayto dana sawen aro mavid aya lugar dao. kodus and keep up the good work
ben 10-Sep-2006 14:20
Tayto aco na naiindes na cumaro di vatan as tayto dana sawen aro mavid aya lugar dao. kodus and keep up the good work
jeffrey figura 08-Sep-2006 11:41
nice picture grabe ang galing .artist ako pero you are really so galeng mo!!!!!
Guest 11-May-2006 08:18
I left the Island in 1964 and left the Philippines, in 1986, after the EDSA 1. I promised myself never to return to the Country, due to my political persecution but after looking at the pictures, I have decided to invest billions for the development of the Island.

The Island is maybe not infected with Fooliticians.
sof 11-May-2006 04:59
whewww! ganda talaga ng batanes! sana share kayo lagi ng magagandang pics from BATANES!
thanks a lot for sharing!!!
Quincy 10-Apr-2006 03:21
whew! amazing pictures! we're heading there this Thursday ourselves!

by the way where did you take this picture?http://www.pbase.com/bobbyw/image/56498901
Guest 17-Mar-2006 14:09
Dear Bobby, ...Your pictures are very beautiful. thank you very much. Warmest regards Wolflgang E. Zwecker
Leila 13-Mar-2006 13:45
Grabe! I enjoyed all the beautiful shots. Miss ko tuloy Batanes!!!
Guest 12-Mar-2006 15:12
You are really so galeng !
Guest 11-Mar-2006 02:19
beautiful shots!!!! thank you for sharing :)
akiko
Grace 10-Mar-2006 12:50
Thanks and I also want you to know that your pic of the empty rowboats in Batanes with rainclouds in the distance and sunshine in the foreground == its my wallpaper.

I feel good each time I see it.

Grace
edierra_21 10-Mar-2006 12:12
astig!!!!
Guest 01-Mar-2006 16:23
really beautiful shots. but too small to make into my desktop :-(
fr.aldrin 28-Feb-2006 05:07
Ang ganda at galing mo.
John W. 19-Feb-2006 08:26
nice pictures.
Ding R 19-Feb-2006 08:26
Wow! Those early morning images could be paintings. You should blow up the pair and print them on mat watercolor paper.
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