Honesty Coffee Shop in Batanes

Owned by Elena Gabilo, the Honesty Coffee Shop in the municipality of Ivana off the Batan Island of Batanes has formed a niche in the curious minds of Filipinos and some foreigners. It has become one of the reasons why people go to Batanes.

To us who live in other parts of the country, this is a testament to the true nature of Filipinos - trustworthy! Can this be possibly franchised for the metro? Nobody can tell if it will "thrive" among the corrupted metropolitan minds. Well, some could readily say that it is going to be the worst concept ever - how could you start something that relies on trust if everybody in the city or metro is full of doubts?

There is nothing much that you can find inside. There are tables and chairs made up of plastic (honestly, I did expect to find something made up of indigenous materials), vakul (headdress of Ivatan women), junk foods and some souvenir shirts. In the counter area, there is a notebook, where you can list down all the items that you bought, and a container for money. And as the name implies, the centrepiece is a thermos bottle of hot water and mugs for coffee sessions.

Vakul for sale!

The owner is pictured in a poster campaign with Coca-Cola.

Before, I thought the shop was like an old Ivatan house made up of stones, lots of dangling junk foods and what not in the walls, and relatively dark. Well, I was wrong. And I was a bit disappointed. But the concept won my heart (I can hear some giggles and laughter, hahaha).

The Honesty Coffee Shop is always open to the public. Come and experience the Ivatan culture!

Sumdep kamo is the Ivatan equivalent for Welcome! Dios machivan is Ithink equivalent to God bless you.

Batanes - Paradise Found!

Very excited to take pictures at the Marlboro Country, Batanes.

A Glimpse of the Future

A child towers over a streak of berets of eminent Filipino scientists and tries to get a first-hand experience of the feeling of being one of the bests in Philippine science and technology.
{FIRST PLACE: DOST-Wide Photo Contest}

Things I Have Learnt From Carlos Celdran

One Sunday afternoon, I was given the chance to roam around the famous Walled City of Intramuros. Entrance fee is 75pesos for adults and 50 pesos for children and students. A mother was in line and telling the man in the ticket booth that it was only 10pesos when she was still younger.

I was not really excited to go inside Intramuros because I left my camera. I only had my phone. But when I saw a group with Carlos Celdran talking at the middle, I got excited. I joined the group without any clue if the tour was exclusive or not for those people who were busy giggling and laughing over his lunchbox of chuckles and humour.

He was talking about the identity of Filipinos – that it is like a melting pot of various cultures, a bit of Spanish, American, Chinese, Japanese, Arab and all those that you could identify. Then, everybody participated in naming everyday items like Colgate for toothpaste, Kodak for cameras, Coke for softdrinks, among others. This was the catch – during the Spanish times, the Philippines – that is, all the streets – emanated from the Manila Cathedral. He went on to say that the Filipinos figuratively revolved around the crucifix aka the Church aka religion.

That was changed when the Americans invaded the land. The centre of the Philippines became Luneta, the Rizal Park. Kilometer-Zero was shifted to where Jose Rizal was buried (they say). Why here and not in other place? Because Rizal was made the national hero by the Philippines, along with the maya as the national bird, mango as the national fruit, nipa hut as the national house, carabao as the national animal, and others. The national symbols were made by the Americans. And by the way, Spain sold the country for $20 million to the USA, with Puerto Rico, Guam, Hawai’i and other island nations and states. According to Carlos, it was a “Buy 1, Take 5” promo from the Spanish.

It was getting dark, so I decided to call on my bestfriend slash driver (LOL) and go home. And yes, I did not forget to have a picture with Carlos (err! I requested a fellow “tourist” to take a picture through my phone, and yes, demit! He dropped my phone and Carlos said, “Ouch!”).

The seal of San Miguel Beer is similar with that of the Republic of the Philippines. Nice trivia. That beer will never be the same again.

My apologies, Carlos. I have to put Kelly Misa in the picture. Too bad that I could not remember her name during the tour. Beautiful!

Carlos pointing to the seal on the arch of the Fort Santiago, err, St James the Killer of whatever (was it Four Moros?)

The students of Carlos.

Ang pasaway na istudyante.