Istorya Nu Ivatan

Fighting COVID-19 in Batanes (Part 1)

Nearly a year after the first coronavirus case hit the Philippines, Batanes has managed to avoid any local transmission of the disease. But lots of challenges remain. We sit down with Dr. Noel Bernardo, Doctor to the Barrios and Municipal Health Officer to Sabtang, to talk about how we got here and what's next in the fight against COVID-19 in Batanes.

Tik-tik Bato

Take a walk around Batanes these days and chances are you'll hear the sound of hammers crushing rocks into gravel. It's called tik-tik bato and with tourism shut down, lots of people are doing it to earn money and get through the hard times. In this episode, we explore the trend, its history, economics and how it's an expression of Ivatan innovation and resiliency. 

Homecoming

After nearly four months, Batanes has lifted its travel ban to welcome home local residents who were stranded in Manila, or abroad. Our airport opened for flights, boats started transporting passengers and local barangays set up quarantine sites for the new arrivals. The whole community mobilized. But for those returning home, the journey itself could be daunting, filled with checkpoints, screenings, tests and delays. In this episode, we follow one overseas worker who returns to her hometown of Basco.

 

Kapachinanawu

Taytu makuhat dyaya du Batanes! It's time to harvest tree fruits, like the delicious chayi. Time to go fishing. And, normally, time for students to head back to school. However, due to the coronavirus pandemic, our education system, like that of the rest of the Philippines and across the world, has been interrupted and disrupted in fundamental ways. In this episode we talk to students, teachers and parents about how they're dealing with it all -- while getting ready for the new academic term.

Vyay du Savidug

Kapian kamu pa nu Dius! Welcome. Nyaya am istorya naten. In our first episode we talk to residents of Savidug about how the coronavirus pandemic has changed their lives. We hear from youth, local farmers and those separated from close family members about how they are coping with quarantine and where they hope their community is headed next. 

A dos bolos produksyon.

Teaser

Yapu du Savidug, Sabtang! A program from Ivatans, for Ivatans. Join us for stories, discussions and impressions about life in Batanes and throughout the global Ivatan diaspora. First episode coming soon. Maysisirin ta na!