Celebrating the Completion of the Batanes Project: A Journey of Documentation and Preservation

The Batanes Project, a significant documentation initiative funded by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines and managed by the Social Development Research Center (SDRC) at De La Salle University, has reached its successful conclusion. This extensive project aimed to preserve two vanishing aspects of Ivatan culture—the traditional Ivatan house known as vahay and the indigenous fishing boat called tataya. The project produced an impressive collection of two coffee-table books, two construction and maintenance manuals, and two documentaries. The team, consisting of professors from the University of the Philippines and De La Salle University, combined their research and production expertise to bring this cultural preservation endeavor to fruition.

The project spanned over two years, beginning in July 2017 and concluding in August 2019, with research dissemination taking place in June 2024. Throughout this period, the team made multiple visits to Batanes, capturing footage and photographs in various locations, including Basco, Uyuyan, Mahatao, Ivana, and Sabtang. Notable interviews included conversations with former construction team leader Ignacio Danila and ferry crew member Lucio Esperanza, who also built a tataya for the project. The team also documented the fishing preparations of mataw fisher Eddie Fainza. These firsthand accounts and visual documentation have been instrumental in creating a rich, authentic record of Ivatan traditions.

The Batanes Project’s outputs were met with widespread acclaim. The coffee-table books were launched during the SDRC’s 40th anniversary celebration on March 22, 2019. The documentaries were screened at prestigious events such as the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Cinema Rehiyon, receiving praise for their informative and engaging content. Select photographs from the project were exhibited during notable events, further showcasing the unique beauty and cultural significance of Batanes. In June 2024, the team returned to Batanes to share their findings with the community, donating complimentary copies to government agencies and public schools, and screening the documentaries. This final visit not only disseminated the research but also honored the invaluable contributions of the Ivatan people to this preservation effort.

The team consisted of Edwin Valientes (UP Anthropology), Christian Vaso (UPLB Engineering Science), Lars Ubaldo (DLSU History); Rica Arevalo, Jimmy Domingo, and Gary Mariano (DLSU Communication). They were assisted by Van Ybiernas and Xiao Chua (additional text), Eden Estopace (interviewing and copy editing), Bryan Termulo (videography), Christian Reyes (audio recording), Jake Ruiz (graphic design), Arianne Astorga (voice), and Ellen Ramos (video editing).

It is only fitting to end this project the Ivatan way, Dios mamahes!