Over the years, and after many visits to Boracay’s white-sand shores, I’ve stayed in a variety of accommodations: from beachfront luxury to modest guesthouses hidden into inner alleys. But of all these stays, one property has become my island constant: Azalea Hotels & Residences. On my most recent trip, I checked in here for the third time, making it the hotel I’ve returned to more than any other on the island.

What keeps me coming back? For starters, value meets comfort here in a way that’s surprisingly rare in a destination as popular as Boracay. Azalea’s suites aren’t just rooms, they’re full-mode apartments with living areas, well-equipped kitchens, and enough space to spread out after a day in the sun. Whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with a small group, the flexible 1- to 3-bedroom layout makes it feel like a true home base.

There’s also an ease to staying here. The open-air lobby invites lingering with a coffee or simply taking a breather under the island wind. The rooftop pool, while simplistic, offers a clear view of Boracay’s famed sunset, making it an ideal spot when the beach gets crowded. And if you’re not in the mood to venture far for food, the in-house Kuya J Restaurant serves up hearty Filipino food that satisfies after a day of exploring.

While Boracay is ever-changing, Azalea remains a familiar comfort, the kind of place you find yourself booking again before your current trip even ends.

Location has long been one of Azalea’s greatest assets. Set at the center of Boracay’s tourism corridor, the hotel allows guests to dip easily into the island’s vibe whether by foot to the beach or to the surrounding cluster of restaurants, cafés, and souvenir shops. Still, the building’s internal layout, with its pool deck and rooftop perch, provides pockets of privacy that soften the island’s daily grind.

The rooftop houses two modest pools: one for adults, the other child-friendly, flanked by a simple arrangement of loungers and shaded nooks. It’s a functional retreat more than a spectacle, though the view especially at sundown offers a cinematic moment perfect for capping the day.

Inside, the design language is extra. Muted tones, straightforward finishes, and smooth surfaces make up the common areas, with a lobby and restaurant that reflect a utilitarian, almost residential feel. The in-house eatery, Kuya J, doubles as the breakfast hall, offering standard local fare in a space that, while bright and accessible, can feel roomy even during peak hours.

Accommodations range from compact Deluxe Rooms to full-size holiday apartments with up to three bedrooms. Even in the smallest units, the layout is deliberate: two double beds, a convertible sofa, and a kitchenette make the space work well for families or small groups. The aesthetic leans toward the neutral linen-covered beds, minimalist lighting, simple storage offering ease over flair.

The larger units emphasize livability, especially for longer stays. Bedrooms branch off from a shared living and dining area, while the kitchen comes fully equipped with essentials: stovetop, microwave, refrigerator, and basic cookware. It’s not luxurious, but it’s functional and for many travelers, that’s the appeal.

On my first stay, I stayed in a studio room. On the next two visits, I shared a two-bedroom suite with a friend, giving each of us privacy while enjoying the shared living room and kitchen, ideal for getting work done and preparing lunch with ingredients we bought from a nearby market.

From Azalea, most of the island is within reach. A five-minute walk takes you to the beachfront. A few more steps put you at D’Mall. Staff can arrange boat tours or water sports, and for those looking to explore beyond the central strip, Mount Luho and quieter beaches like Tulubhan are a tricycle ride away. (will write a separate blog post about our island activities curated by the staff of Azalea).

Azalea isn’t designed to dazzle, but it doesn’t have to. Its success lies in how it accommodates the needs of a wide range of guests, from large families to solo travelers. With its emphasis on practicality, accessibility, and just enough design, the hotel offers a grounded alternative to Boracay’s flashier accommodations. Not quite boutique, but not purely no-frills either, Azalea occupies a thoughtful middle ground.

In this town in Quezon Province, residents transform their homes into dazzling tributes to faith, harvest, and heritage.

Growing up, the word bayanihan reminded me of a painting of neighbors carrying a wooden house on their shoulders. It was a scene representative of a time when homes were built light enough to carry and communities close enough to do so together. But beyond the literal meaning of bayanihan, the term has since signified something greater, a collective effort, of people coming together to help one another in times of need.

We arrive in Lucban and immediately noticed the preparations are already in full swing for the Pahiyas Festival happening the next day on the 15th of May, the town’s tribute to San Isidro Labrador, the patron saint of farmers.

Across Quezon province, other towns also celebrates the Feast of San Isidro in their own distinct ways: Agawan in Sariaya, Arañat Baluarte in Gumaca, Anihan in Mauban, Mayohan in Tayabas, Pabitin in Catanauan, and Sabungan in Agdangan.

But in Lucban, where houses bloom with colorful kiping, rice stalks, fruits, and vegetables, the festival carries not only a sense of spectacle but also a deep expression of bayanihan. Once symbolized by neighbors physically lifting a wooden house, that spirit now lives on in the collective effort to uphold tradition.

Families help one another decorate house exteriors in friendly competition, with designs that follow customs tracing back to the first modern Pahiyas Festival in 1963 and even further, to rituals and influences that predate Spanish colonization in the 15th century.

Each May, the town of Lucban in Quezon province welcomes festival revelers to streets lined with houses adorned in vibrant, colorful decorations for the Pahiyas Festival, a celebration rooted in thanksgiving for all farming-related blessings. While the modern version of the festival began in 1963, its origins trace back to the 15th century long before the Spanish colonized the Philippines. Back then, farmers would gather their harvests and bring them to the foothills of Mt. Banahaw to be blessed by the Gods.

When the Spanish arrived, this ritual was brought into the church. Farmers began offering their harvests to San Isidro Labrador. Eventually, as the harvests grew more bountiful, they could no longer be contained within church grounds. Farmers began displaying their produce in front of their homes, allowing the parish priest to go house to house, blessing the offerings.

In 1963, Art Club of Lucban president Fernando Cadeliña Nañawa drew inspiration from these old traditions and reimagined them into the first official Pahiyas Festival. Since then, it has evolved into a glowing showcase of agricultural abundance. Homes are decorated with fruits, vegetables, rice stalks, and the colorful kiping, transforming the streets into living artworks.

Beyond the colorful homes decorated in farm produce, bamboo crafts, and wooden ornaments, the Pahiyas Festival in Lucban offers visitors a true taste of local culinary culture. As we wandered through the streets near the church, where the center of the festival celebration happens, we were greeted with free servings of pancit habhab at nearly every street corner. Unique to Quezon province, pancit habhab is a noodle dish eaten without utensils, traditionally slurped straight from banana leaves, thus the name habhab, which in local jargon aptly describes its way of eating it.

After noticing it used widely in the decorations hanging in front of the houses, I also learned that the colorful, leaf-shaped ornaments are called kiping. Made from glutinous rice and dyed in bright colors, kiping is not only decorative but also edible. The thin, crisp wafers are a well-known local snack in Lucban. Though mild in flavor, they can be grilled or fried and are often served with vinegar for added taste.

Around the 18th-century Saint Louis Bishop Parish Church, or commonly known as Lucban Church, the surrounding streets, including Gomburza, La Purisima Concepcion, Lopez Jaena, Gregorio del Pilar, and A. Mabini among others, host the main cluster of decorated homes. Along these streets, visitors will also find numerous food vendors and stalls offering some of Lucban’s well-known delicacies. Among the most popular are Lucban longanisa, kesong puti, espasol, pilipit kalabasa and hardinera, just to state a few.

Of course, you can expect to be invited into random houses to partake in their feasts, as Lucban residents are known to cook the best dishes they can during the Pahiyas Festival. For many such as myself, this is the best part of the festival, getting to eat a lot of food.

The San Isidro Procession is a central highlight of the Pahiyas Festival. When I first witnessed it in 2022, I was struck by the sight of giant papier-mâché puppets parading through the streets, accompanied by cultural performers and a lively marching band. Held on the afternoon of May 15, the event features multiple statues of San Isidro Labrador, each representing different stages of the patron saint’s life.

At any time of day, visitors may encounter spontaneous cultural performances and smaller parades, such as a carabao procession. The festival also features a nightly concert, a food market, and a night market highlighting local products.

In Lucban, the spirit of bayanihan endures not through the lifting of houses, but in the manner how neighbors help each other decorating participating houses despite each competing for a plum prize.

Beyond the spectacle of color and sound, what stands out most is how Lucban moves as one, like dancing to the drumbeats of the live band that parades through the streets during the festival, connecting the present to a storied past of farmers’ dedication to their crops hundreds of years ago.

Having traveled extensively across the Philippines and witnessed countless festivals, what strikes me most about Pahiyas is how it effortlessly blends spectacle with community spirit. Lucban’s celebration isn’t just performative, here, the vibrant kiping decorations and shared feasts aren’t just for show; they are living expressions of gratitude and unity that invite every visitor to experience becoming part of a close-knit community.

For many Filipino travelers and weekend warriors, the usual stops in Quezon province tend to circle around the well-worn routes of Lucena, Tayabas, Lucban, and Gumaca, places already familiar to motorists en route to Batangas or Bicol.

Beach-seekers, too, often gravitate toward coastal spots like San Andres, Mauban, and Pagbilao. But beyond these popular destinations, in the northernmost part of Quezon province bordering Rizal, Bulacan, and Quirino, is a lesser-known triad of towns that have quietly drawn the attention of surfers, hikers, and nature lovers.

Known collectively as the REINA circuit, the municipalities of Real, Infanta, and General Nakar are now considered as emerging tourist destinations, thanks to recent efforts by the local tourism offices of the three towns and the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) of the Philippines. Their campaign highlights the region’s unspoiled landscapes, distinctive cultural heritage, and locally crafted products.

In the northeastern edge of Quezon province, where the Sierra Madre mountains descend into the Pacific Ocean, the municipality of General Nakar has long been known among off-road enthusiasts for its expansive, rugged terrain. Now, it’s gaining attention for another reasons: its natural beauty and Indigenous-led ecotourism efforts.

A trek to Sapot Falls, a 150-foot cascade hidden within a moss-covered forest, begins with a one-hour hike from Sitio Masla. The trail crosses the Rigrig River and passes through biodiverse lush woods that are ideal for birdwatching. The hike, though moderately challenging, brings in a sensory overload, where you will hear the sound of flowing water, while guided by the ambient light filtering through thick canopies, and glimpses of wildlife endemic to the Sierra Madre.

The waterfalls mark just the beginning. Further downstream, the Rigrig River widens into a stretch ideal for river tubing, an activity managed by the Masla Community Nature Adventure organization, a group of local guides from the Remontado and Dumagat Indigenous communities. Their work offers not only guided outdoor experiences but also an opportunity for visitors to engage meaningfully with the original settlers of the region.

Reaching Sitio Masla remains a challenge, requiring either a two-wheeled habal-habal or a 4x4 vehicle, as the route is an unpaved dirt road stretching all the way from the town center. This rugged path, however, is currently being developed as part of the Pacific Coastal Trail Highway. Once completed, the road is expected to connect General Nakar with Dingalan in neighboring Aurora Province, thus opening access to a region that is still largely untouched by mass tourism.

These two destinations, Sapot Falls and the Rigrig River, are just the beginning of what General Nakar has to offer.

“If you had more time, we could have explored other sites like Tulaog Cave, which is considered sacred by the Dumagat people,” Jonathan Saynes, Tourism Officer of General Nakar, said. “It’s accessible from the sea and leads into an inner chamber hidden within a thick karst wall,” he added.

Beyond the cave, Saynes highlighted other lesser-known natural attractions around the municipality. These include Masanga Point, a dramatic coastal rock formation, as well as twin waterfalls, Pagapeden and Depalyon. Numerous beachfront areas also line the town’s extensive Pacific coastline, offering quieter alternatives to the country’s more crowded shores.

Best known as a surf town with serious swells and a jump-off to off-the-grid islands like Jomalig and Polillo, Real is starting to attract a different kind of traveler, those drawn less by the waves of the Pacific and more of the other offerings of the great outdoors.

One of the easiest nature escapes is Balagbag Falls, a two-tiered, 50-foot cascade just a short walk from the main road. With a natural pool perfect for cooling off, it’s a favorite stop for road-trippers and day hikers alike.

But Real isn’t just about waterfalls. Like its neighbor General Nakar, this coastal town also has a river running through it; Tanauan River, where the Tanauan Balsahero Association has mapped out a five-kilometer route for river tubing. Here, you’ll hop aboard a makeshift raft made from inner tubes tied together, gliding past numerous rapids. It's another example of how community-led tourism is shaping visitor experience in this part of Quezon.

For visitors heading to Real, the perfect souvenir isn’t a postcard or keychain, it’s a handcrafted walis tambo, or soft broom, made from locally harvested tiger grass. And in the upland barangay of Maragondon, broom-making is more than just a livelihood, it’s a growing symbol of community pride.

Responsible for this, is the Maragondon Dragon Grass Association (MDGA), a 53-member group formed in 2015 through the Department of Social Welfare and Development’s Sustainable Livelihood Program (SLP). Every February, members begin harvesting tiger grass, locally known as raza, just as its flower blooms into long, fine strands. These are picked, dried, and stitched by hand. It takes at least 30 flower stalks to make a single large broom.

In the past year alone, the group produced over 4,000 walis tambo, drawing both tourists and residents to Maragondon to buy this local product. To support this One-Town, One-Product (OTOP) initiative, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines recently contributed additional funding to help the group expand operations while they prepare for the next harvest season.

I’ve passed through Infanta more times than I can count, usually on just quick stopover on the way to go hiking in the Sierra Madre, like the popular Mt. Famy, where I first had my hiking experience back in high school. Returning now after many years, I found a town offering new discoveries.

This time, I wasn’t going out for a hike. Instead, we walked the shaded boardwalks of a mangrove forest, where hundreds of fruit bats and migratory birds flew overhead across the sky. Covering a 17-hectare area, the Bipco Mangrove Forest Ecological Park in Binonoan has transformed from a once-depleted landscape into a thriving sanctuary for both wildlife and education. Today, the park is home to an array of species, including flying foxes, fruit bats, herons, hawks, and migratory birds, all thriving within the dense mangrove ecosystem.

Over a decade ago, a dedicated effort to restore the forest began, and the results are now evident: a thriving nature habitat for birds and other animals that serves as a living testament to successful environmental rehabilitation. The park has since become a prime location for researchers, particularly from the University of the Philippines Los Baños, as well as forestry and agricultural students eager to study the park’s biodiversity.

Managed by the Bipco Foundation, a community-led organization, the park is now looking to expand their goal not only to attract more visitors but also to share valuable knowledge on ecology, forestry, and the importance of nature preservation.

Visitors can embark on guided tours of the mangrove river, following carefully constructed boardwalks designed to minimize environmental impact. These tours provide an immersive educational experience, offering a rare glimpse into an ecosystem that hosts a wealth of marine species, various bird populations, and a variety of mangrove tree species. The foundation also offers workshops on environmental conservation and sustainable tourism practices, furthering its mission to protect and preserve this vital ecosystem.

Another mangrove forest in Infanta, the Alitas Mangrove Eco-park offers a home-stay experience where one can also witness the process of making "alak sa sasa", a traditional local liquor made from the sap of palm trees. It is another community-driven tourism destination as it is managed by the members of the Alitas Farmers Association (AFA).

Under the low morning light on the banks of the Agos River, just under the bridge that connects the neighboring towns of Infanta and General Nakar, a group of fishermen gathers every morning.

Among them is Tata Dado, who has spent decades fishing in the river. He and his companions still practice pagtatain, an age-old fishing method passed down through generations.

Using traps crafted from hand-split bamboo strips, shaped into narrow cylinders called tain, the fishermen bury them beneath stones and align their openings against the current “so it won’t be dislodged by the current”, Tata Dado told us in Tagalog.

The traps sit undisturbed overnight, and by early morning, they are often filled with the river’s offerings such as shrimps, tiny crabs, small fishes, and occasionally, a slippery eel.

But this traditional fishing method, like the river itself, may be at risk. At the center of the concern is the planned construction of the controversial Kaliwa Dam, a government-backed infrastructure project intended to divert water from the Agos River to supply Metro Manila. For local communities whose lives are forever connected with the river, the dam represents more than just a shift in the landscape, it signals a disruption in their way of life.

“We’re afraid the river will dry up once the dam is finished,” a woman standing nearby says in Tagalog. “That water is meant to be sent to the city. And when typhoons come, they’ll release water again flooding everything downstream.”

For now, the Agos continues its flow. But to those who have long depended on it, the current carries a mounting uncertainty, one that no bamboo trap can hold back.

In the northern areas of Quezon in Real, Infanta, and General Nakar, travelers are being introduced not only to Indigenous and age-old traditions but also to the natural wonders of rivers, waterfalls, and the dense forests of the Sierra Madre. These experiences foster a deeper consciousness for nature conservation, driven by effective community-based tourism that empowers locals to manage their own resources without interference from profit-driven outsiders. In essence, the REINA circuit prioritizes sustainable tourism over mass commercial development.

They say the third time’s the charm. But in Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines, each of my three visits has carried its own distinct magic. My first trip, over a decade ago, involved pedaling halfway across Batan Island on a rented bicycle. It happened to coincide with a town fiesta, and my friends and I were warmly welcomed into local homes, where we feasted on traditional Ivatan dishes and experienced generous hospitality.

I returned in 2019, and Batanes despite my earlier familiarity of it still appeared, remote, windswept, and mysterious. Retracing my steps from Batan to Sabtang, this time with a few fellow travel writers, I was once again mesmerized by the province’s dramatic landscapes. The only downside of this return trip was that rough seas prevented us from crossing to Itbayat Island, the more secluded of the three main islands of Batanes.

On this latest trip to the province as part of the Department of Tourism’s “Philippine Experience” caravan, a program that highlights each region of the country to create model tourism circuits focused on culture, heritage, cuisine, nature, and wellness, I was once again reminded of Batanes’ magnetism.

Nowhere is a local culture more tangible than in the quiet village of Chavayan on Sabtang Island. Here, narrow streets weave between traditional stone houses built to withstand typhoons, and where the art of making vakul and kanayi remains very much alive, thanks to the members of the Sabtang Weavers Association. The vakul, a headpiece crafted from dried voyavoy leaves (Philippine date palm), shields Ivatan women from the harsh elements, while the kanayi, a thick, handwoven vest worn by men when farming, speaks of both function and identity. Together, these traditional garments embody the Ivatan people’s relationship with their rugged environment. Witnessing these cultures and traditions still intact made our trip to Chavayan the highlight of our second day in Batanes.

On our return to Sabtang Port, we passed through Savidug village, home to several traditional houses constructed from limestone and coral. Alongside Chavayan, Savidug has become one of Batanes' most significant cultural attractions. These stone houses holds a special place in my memory vault, recalling my homestay experience in Chavayan back in 2014.

Other places we stopped by at Sabtang Island also includes Morong Beach where Nakabuang Arch, an arch-shaped rock formation sculpted by centuries of wind and tide, forms a surreal gateway to a long stretch of shoreline.

The participants of the Philippine Experience Batanes leg also took time to visit the Saint Vincent Ferrer Parish Church, whose current structure dates back to 1844. It is one of the Jubilee Churches in the country and a declared National Historical Landmark by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines.

Following our morning arrival on the island of Batan, home to the provincial capital of Basco and its namesake airport, we got a glimpse of the province’s spiritual heritage as we began our tour with a mini-Visita Iglesia. First stop: the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, more commonly commonly known as Basco Cathedral, situated across from the town plaza. From there, we visited San Jose de Obrero Church, facing the port of Ivana, and the baroque-style San Carlos Borromeo Church in Mahatao, honored as a National Cultural Treasure by the National Museum of the Philippines.

After exploring Batanes’ spiritual heritage, we sought deeper insights into the history and culture of the Ivatan people by visiting several cultural and historical landmarks. Among them was the Castaño Ruins, a 1933 former home of Valentine and Catalina Castaño, built from lime, sand, and boulders. We also visited the House of Dakay, constructed in 1877 for the family of Jose Estrella. Showcasing traditional Ivatan architecture with thick stone walls and a thatched cogon roof, it is the only house that survived the powerful earthquake of September 13, 1918.

In a province where crime is virtually nonexistent and police intervention typically involves minor neighborly disputes; honesty is woven into the fabric of daily life. It’s no surprise that the concept of the "Honesty Store" first emerged in Batanes. Established in 1995 by Ivatan couple Jose and Elena Gabilo, the Honesty Coffee Shop is a powerful symbol of trust. Operating without a cashier, it relies on customers to self-checkout, reflecting the Ivatan people's unwavering commitment to honesty and community integrity.

“Blow your horn” has become an iconic phrase in Batanes. Unlike the honking chaos of city traffic, here it’s a courteous gesture, a gentle signal of respect to oncoming vehicles and the occasional free-roaming cow or goat sharing the scenic roads. One of the most photographed “Blow Your Horn” signs can be found at the picturesque part of the National Road near the rolling hills and rock formations of Alapad. It's not just a traffic reminder, it’s yet another reminder of Batanes’ refined etiquette that expands even on the road.

While many are drawn to Batanes for its cinematic landscapes, the newly reopened National Museum of the Philippines (NMP) – Batanes, one of NMP’s 17 component museums in the Philippines, offers a deeper look into the province’s cultural roots. Located near Alapad Hill and overlooking Imnajbu-Itbud Beach, the museum occupies a former U.S. Coast Guard LORAN station, first converted into a museum in 2012 and renovated in 2023 with a modern design. Its permanent exhibit, Ínamuhun: The Natural and Cultural Heritage of Batanes, features archaeological finds, ethnographic artifacts, and displays of local flora and fauna - offering visitors a rare window into the island’s ecological and cultural identity.

Basco’s Valugan Boulder Beach isn’t your typical barefoot shoreline. Here, white sand is replaced by smooth volcanic boulders, polished by time and waves. Unlike the easygoing vibe of a powdery beach, Valugan offers a moodier atmosphere perfect for clearing your head or filming a cinematic slow-motion walk as you hop from one massive stone to the next.

Batan Island’s twin lighthouses; Basco Lighthouse and Tayid Lighthouse, aren’t just for guiding ships; they’re also becoming popular in the destination wedding industry. What’s there not to like? With cinematic views of rolling hills, the endless ocean, and winds that blows your hair like you’re in a romcom film, the romance is set in. We’re talking alfresco meals that make your usual outdoor dining feel basic, just like what we experienced during our sunset dinner at Basco followed by a sun-drenched lunch the next day at Tayid.

We capped our Philippine Experience tour with a visit to two hilltop locations on opposite sides of Batan Island. On the eastern-central side, we found ourselves frolicking like cows on the grassy knolls of Racuh a Payaman, more popularly known as Marlboro Country, a nickname inspired by the 1980’s tv commercials of Marlboro featuring cowboys herding cattle across wide open fields.

The name Racuh a Payaman comes from the Ivatan language: racuh meaning “vast land” and payaman translating to “pastureland.” Located in Mahatao, Batan Island, this sweeping landscape of rolling hills serves as communal grazing grounds for local farmers’ cows and carabaos. Towering in the background is Mt. Iraya, its name loosely translating to “upward slope” in Ivatan, an active stratovolcano standing at 3,310 feet, the highest peak in Batanes. Its majestic presence adds even more charm to the view and stirs my own wish to return, as I’ve dreamed of climbing it since the first time I laid eyes on it.

On the western-central side of Batan Island, we spent our final afternoon waiting for the sunset atop a grassy mound in the vast expanse of Vayang Rolling Hills. Despite our Philippine Experience Batanes contingent numbering a few dozens, the openness of the landscape offered enough space for solitude. I easily found freedom to run and climb a couple of hilltops, reclaiming a sense of quiet amidst the crowd.

Joining a few fellow members of the media and photographers, I settled on one of the ridges and watched as the light softened over the hills. In that moment, as golden hues covered the landscape, I recall memories of my previous two visits to Batanes, grateful for the good fortune of returning a third time.

That sunset watching experience turned out to be a gentle pause, one of reflection set against the incomparable beauty of a place that now appear to me as both distant and familiar.

After four days of traveling along narrow coastal roads and crossing the sea to another island, one thing stood out clearly: Batanes resists overexposure. Its lasting appeal lies not just in its scenery, but in its spirit. For travelers like me, it remains a place worth returning to-not just once or twice, but whenever the opportunity arises.

The Philippine Experience Program, a flagship initiative by the Department of Tourism (DOT), promotes heritage-rich travel across the country. Designed to broaden domestic tourism circuits, the program highlights immersive cultural itineraries focusing on Filipino traditions, local gastronomy, religious and wellness sites, and the arts.

After wrapping up regional legs in Central Luzon, Calabarzon, Western Visayas, Soccsksargen, Caraga, the Cordilleras, Davao, Palawan, Northern Mindanao, Bicol, and the Zamboanga Peninsula, the cultural caravan recently made its way to the country’s northernmost province of Batanes.

Renowned for its dramatic cliffs, rolling hills, and time-honored Ivatan culture, Batanes provided a striking backdrop for the latest leg of the program. Alongside tourism stakeholders, the delegation included media representatives, social media influencers, and diplomats from Australia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam, and Malaysia. The group traveled along the winding roads of Batan Island and sailed across to Sabtang, one of the archipelago’s most culturally intact destinations.

The stop in Batanes forms part of the DOT’s broader mission to revitalize tourism in areas long impacted by natural disasters. Batanes' tourism sector, still recovering from devastating typhoons in 2004, is being reintroduced to both local and foreign audiences through this curated cultural showcase.

Batanes is embracing a shift toward balanced tourism, with local stakeholders advocating for a manageable number of visitors to preserve the archipelago's cultural and natural integrity. Tour guide Remedios Santos, active since 2008, emphasizes maintaining the ideal number of tourists to protect the island's quality. "We want our culture to remain well-maintained and orderly," she says. Ed Delfin of the Batanes Tour Guides Association echoes this sentiment, warning against uncontrolled growth that could harm the islands' ecosystem, as seen in destinations like Boracay and Siargao.

The high cost of travel to Batanes, about P12,000 for a one-way flight, naturally helps regulate tourist numbers, aligning with the community's sustainable tourism efforts. While foreign interest in promoting Batanes remains, the province's commitment ensures that any influx stays within its ideal capacity. In 2024, the island welcomed just over 13,000 tourists, down from 50,000 in 2018, signaling a shift from quantity to quality. This focus on sustainability earned Batanes international recognition as the first Philippine member of the United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO)’s International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories.

While anyone who sets foot on the waving landscape of Batanes would be forgiven for snapping countless photos against its postcard-perfect backdrops, travelers are encouraged to look beyond the Instagram appeal.

Though many still prefer to explore on their own, the Department of Tourism recommends hiring one of the province’s DOT-accredited tour guides not just for logistics, but to engage in conversation and gain deeper insight into Ivatan culture as they journey through the islands.