By: Samuela Cabellero
Batanes is indeed one of the beautiful provinces in the Philippines. It is also tourists’ favorite destination because of the beauty of the culture and variety of tourist spots that’s naturally perfect for picture takin. As located in the northernmost group of islands, some cannot yet afford to travel there because of the pricey travel fees. But no worries because there is an art gallery of Ivatan Artists found in Metro Manila. So everyone who always want to experience the wonderful vibe of Batanes but don’t have enough capability to do so, you can try to come and visit this first ever Batanes Ivatan Art Gallery in Quezon City.
Mr. Rodante Amigable, a succesful business man from Batanes founded the gallery on July 8, 2017. He started doing this when Ivatan Artist approached him. Then as the time goes by the number of paintings he had is increasing so he thinks that he should display it to one place. So when he had the chance he thought of dedicating one part of the building where it is located as art gallery featuring the Ivatan art works. It will attract other people or artist to see the artworks and also to have a venue exibiting the artworks from Batanes.
All paintings in the gallery was made by people from Batanes (or we called Ivatans) especially the Ivatan Youth. It features and highlights the Ivatan culture. As we go around there we can see construction of vulnacular houses, fishing, farming and practices of Ivatans. One painting there shows a child eating from leaf. Batanes has an endemic breadfruit tree, to which breadfruit leaves are called 'Kabaya'. This painting represent how Ivatan people eat when there is big occasion. They always use the kabaya as plates because it's biodegradable and very handy. Also it is very convenient to use when you can't finish your food because you can just wrap up and take it home. Also, we can feel and experience the traditional all-weather farm wears made of shredded Philippine date palm of Batanes. The headdress or headgear for women is what they call 'Vacul' and 'Kanayi' vests for men are worn by Ivatan or Ivatan Farmers.
The owner came up with this good kind of gallery by his diverse interest, personal interest and for social responsibility. But there are really many purposes why we have this. First is to satisfy or fulfill a dream to come up with a gallery and pursuing an interest in arts. Second, is to help his fellow Ivatans have a venue for exhibiting their artworks and to earn from it because this is partly business venture when we market the paintings and you put a little interest on it. Any artworks related to Ivatans culture can be display here for free but after a period of time, this space occupancy will have to be paid off depending on the agreement. Also, is to make people aware of the beautiful culture of Batanes and to advocate campaign for its preservation and conservation.
Preservation is keeping our tangible and intangible cultures, the structures and our practices.
Conservation that we manage it so that they will be properly taking care of and be handed down completely to the future generation.
We can discover a lot more in the heritage of Batanes here in 46A Eugenio Lopez Drive (Scout Albano) cor. Samar Ave, Brgy. So. Triangle, Quezon City. It's really nice to have this kind of place where you can come quickly and easily were opens every Monday to Friday 9 o'clock in the morning to 5 o'clock in the afternoon and Saturday from 9 o'clock in the morning to 2 o'clock in the afternoon and learn more about this hidden place.
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