Love letters from Batanes: “Of This And That” Store
I wonder what other people mean when they say “Batanes makes you feel like you’re in a foreign country.” This is part of our country, the way it should have been before neon lights and rowdy karaoke bars took over.
Mr. Z calls it “the place that time forgot.” I thought so too. Once sybaritic spas and swanky resorts take over, Batanes will never be the same.
There was no Jollibee in Batanes. We were craving for pizza and saw a place that had an Italian-sounding name but it never opened the whole time. Strange! No credit cards are accepted and they only had government-run banks. There was no LBC branch, Mercury Drug or National Bookstore. In the one week we were stranded there, we must have memorized all the shops, particularly the laundry service and the air-conditioned, reliable internet cafe that stayed open (‘Smart Link.’) Basco is such a small town, you can tour it in a day.
On an evening stroll with My Sweet, I got a kick stumbling upon this store named ‘Of This and That.” It was owned by Lily Garcia, a retired radio announcer who spent her time drafting a Filipino-Ivatan dictionary, translating missals and making home-made cards that were gathering dust on her shelves – because the tourists never minded them. I scoop up a few. I can never ignore a writer when I see one, especially one who must have sat up for hours by her window just to compose them, holding in her heart the place that will cradle her for eternity, the Batanes she loves.
Here are a few words reprinted from her “tourist cards” with her permission:
” You know, I feel God so close to earth down here I must admit I’m a bit scared of myself.
Had I known Batanes is this wonderful, I would have arranged for a longer stay or better yet, brought you with me.”
” I now understand people around the world can really be touched by simplicity and the feel of being important. That’s what I’m getting here.
I need to project this feeling to you and who else more.
Till then, know in your heart that indeed to me and to the world – you are important!”
” Away from home maybe but ‘home is where the heart is’.”
I’m in love with this place I almost wish I was born here. Simple place, simple people, simple life – I guess this is the way to be happy and learn how to slow down.
I could stay by the beach and perhaps write but the invitation to walk and go see the corners of this island is irresistible. Anyway, I guess the writing can wait.
Two things you please don’t forget when you decide to come to this place, a camera and your diary. It will make all the difference.”
” Sorry ’bout beating you first to this place. Don’t ever worry – didn’t get much of artifacts …. they are prohibited. Pictures? Yes!
They will do I guess (of course they will! I can’t do anything)
They own this place and I’m a tourist you see, but I admit I am falling in love.
With whom? With what?
With nature so original!”
Blogging since 2004 and recently married to Mr Z. I can't live without coffee....and brown sugar.
Isa yan sa gusto kong marating.. ang BATANES.
Batanes was lovely, and Lily was a pleasure to meet and know. Her enthusiasm for Batanes remains, although it’s been years since she began her letter writing campaign for busy tourists. As a matter of fact, the letters began during junkets to Manila! Her friends and co-workers would go out dancing, and she was driven to share Batanes with strangers, sitting in her hotel room, composing those letters. Simply amazing.
Post request: Pension Ivatan! I wanna talk about food! Who’s with me?
Lagi sigurong malakas ang hangin duon dahil sa ang mga bahay sa pics mo ay low-lying at gawa sa bato.
When is a good time to visit the place without running into high winds and/or storms?
Ajay and Mr. Z,
sooo nice of you to buy those cards from lily.
more power to all of you!
You don’t want to open a Jollibee outlet there?
Nice pictures.
Hi Nallen, sana makarating ka!
Mr. Z, am with you!
on food! 
and everything else I suppose 
Forgot the part about how Lily first wrote her letters in Manila. You have better memory obviously.
Bert, the summer months of March and April are best I suppose. Any date other than that, prepare for cancellations
Thank you Spanx. If we were really desperate, we could have chartered that jet, y’know
Hi Sidney. A Jollibee probably when there’s better transport. Glad you appreciate the pics!
Sidney, I think I’d rather open an Italian restaurant, or a little bistro – maybe Casa Napoli? Ask Ajay, although I’ll give you this one tidbit – the locals call it “The Restaurant That Never Opens”!
More on that later
hi Ajay! aaawww… na touched naman ako dun sa letters..
Hi Mr.Z! nice to see that you are the one replying to the comments hehehe
Nice place
Batanes is the one of the places I want to visit someday.
Beautiful place and people. Nice photos Ajay! I’d like to visit Batanes one of these days.
I was so touched dito sa blog mo na to about batanes…you see,ive never been there..My father is from batanes,marami syang naikkwento tungkol sa buhay nila duon,Yung time ng japanese occupation,kung saan yung mga sundalong hapon at matataas na ranking ng sundalo ay dun kumakain sa bahay ng papa ko.Yung pag nangungulekta daw ng kita yung papa nya sa mga tao,dahil marami yata silang mga manok and mga maliliit na boat,ginagamit ng mga tao,at yung profit nun,kinukuha ng lolo ko,kasama si papa,sabe pa ni papa,…at marami pa syang kwento, na basta kay gandang pakinggan.. cousin nila papa sila butch abad at si pacita abad,na isang pintor….. cguro soon pupunta tlga ako…