Batanes' oldest Ivatan house


Batanes' Oldest house

Date taken: September 17, 2007

Also known as the House of Dakay, it is believed that this is the oldest house in Batanes. This was built in 1887 and the only stone house that was left after a strong earthquake that hit Batanes on September 13, 1918. Its walls are made of layers of corals and stones and are two-feet thick, which could stand the pounding of strong winds during typhoons. It is located in the town of Ivana.

Batanes' Oldest house

Batanes' Oldest house

Batanes' Oldest house

When I took these photos last September 17, 2007, it was 3 days after the anniversary of the earthquake and the house was exactly 120 years old. Auntie Ida (Ivatans or locals commonly call elders, auntie) or Florestida Estrella, then 81, owns the house. I do not know if she is still alive. If it were so, she would be 85 by now, and the house is now 124 years old.

Batanes' Oldest house

Does anybody know if she is still alive?

Batanes' Oldest house

By the way, my apologies for the poor shots.  I was then a noob in photography with just a 4 megapixel Olympus point and shoot in my hand.






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Admin/Author

Aside from my day job, I love photography and storytelling. Going places--be it a cliche destination or the far side of the road--stoke and free my soul. I dig deeper into the people’s psyche, culture and ethnicity, and heritage. I love to observe how they thrive and build social institutions, preserve their culture and traditions.

11 comments :

vin said...

yes. lola ida is still alive but she's very weak the last time i saw her. even if she's sick she still has the energy to entertain and greet her guests whenever someone visits her place. i hope she gets better.

Edmar del Castillo Guquib said...

ANOTHER SET OF WORTH READING POST DING!

Admin/Author said...

Thanks for the information, vin.

Salamat, Edmar.

Pinoy Adventurista said...

i'm still dreaming of seeting foot in Batanes.. haizt!

point and shoot lang 'to? nice!!!

Christian | Lakad Pilipinas said...

yup still alive! i miss batanes, the ivatans are the friendliest people i've met ever

Admin/Author said...

@Mervs, makakarating ka din! medyo pag-iipunan lang talaga ang pamasahe.

@Christian, thanks for the info. Indeed, Ivatans are very nice people!

journeyingjames said...

nice shots with a P&S. lola is actually from silay city. and she is still alive

Admin/Author said...

Thanks for that infor James. Yes, it reminds me nga pala na she is from the Visayas.

Micamyx|Senyorita said...

Interesting. Gusto ko na rin pumunta ng Batanes, pero marami-raming ipon ata ang dapat kong gawin hehe :D

Admin/Author said...

Indeed, MIca. mahal ng pamasahe kasi.

Asiong32 said...

batanes...my ultimate travel destination. kelan kaya ako makakapunta dito. u