Basco Travel Guide

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I have seen pebbles of different sizes and colors in the many beaches I've been to, but I've never seen so many boulders strewn along the beach, as the ones in Valugan Boulder Beach. I was so amazed to see really big boulders on the shore. Our guide explained that the boulders are andesite rocks spewed by Mt. Iraya. The rough rocks were polished over time by the tide movement and bashing of strong waves, thus you can touch the smooth surface of the boulder without scratching your hand.

A trip to Valugan Boulder Beach will give you such sensory delight. Your eyes will feast on the beautiful landscape/seascape with Mt. Iraya as background, and your ears will be treated to a unique "symphony" created by the howling wind, roaring waves and moving rocks. You will enjoy doing rock art, and if you are into photography, you'll surely love the place.

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In the same vicinity of Basco Lighthouse are rows of bunkers. Our guide said the place was also the site of the American period telegraph facilities that connected Batanes with the central government. The facilities were bombed by the Japanese Imperial Army at the start of World War II, leaving a few of buildings. Some bunkers have been converted into businesses like a café. However, the Cafe is open only during peak season.

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Located in Naidi Hills, Basco Lighthouse is sometimes called Naidi Lighthouse. It was really planned to stand on the same site of the first lighthouse of Basco, amidst the verdant hills overlooking the vast azure sea. The structure was completed in 2003, according to former Congressman Florencio Abad’s vision for Basco Lighthouse to be a working lighthouse and at the same time, a tourist attraction. Basco Lighthouse is a beautiful 6-story conical tower with a view deck on the fifth floor. The 66-ft high lighthouse not only serves as beacon to seafarers, but also offers a view of the whole Batan and Sabtang Islands in the south, and Itbayat in the north. Annexed to the lighthouse is an Ivatan stonehouse-inspired structure.

I understand not all tourists are lucky to go up the tower, but I was lucky to have been invited by the Ivatan caretaker to go up the view deck. Having a 360 degrees view of the landscapes and seascapes is indeed an awesome experience!

As the seat of Batanes Provincial Government, Basco is home to the Provincial Capitol Building. Our guide said that the place where the Capitol Building now stands is the same site where the original structure of Casa Real was built by the Spaniards in the 18th century. Today, the Provincial Capitol now houses the provincial government offices and most of the national government agencies.

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A visit to Basco Cathedral is part of the Northern Batan Tour. Catholics and even non-Catholics go to therel to see its architectural details and to ponder on its historical significance.

Basco Cathedral is dedicated to the Immaculate Conception so it is also known as Immaculate Conception Cathedral. It was then named after its Patron Saint, Santo Domingo de Guzman. As one of the first limestone buildings built during the Spanish regime, the Santo Domingo de Basco Church was known for its architectural features, foremost of which are the walls fortified with plasters from the foundation to top to protect it against typhoons and earthquakes, the short laid with Spanish tiles and the façade done in an espadana style. Considered as the oldest church in Batanes for having been established in 1783, the structure was first built from 1787 to 1796, and underwent several reconstructions through the years. When we went there, construction was still being done.

Our guide related to us a story about how the Catholic faithful felt the protection of their Patron Saint and Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. In 2000, the upper half of the cathedral's facade was damaged by an earthquake, destroying its belfry. Mass-goers were lucky that the mass was already over when the facade collapsed; otherwise, many could have died.