of Nature, Culture, Relaxation, and Adventure
More on Batbatan
Batbatan Traveler's Guide Book
Q.
Why should I go to Batbatan Island?
A. It’s an alternative and unique island
travel
destination not yet known to most people even in this part of the
Philippine archipelago.
Q.
Every place claims uniqueness in one way or another although they are
always on beach and water-based experiences. What makes
Batbatan
island a really unique place?
A. Batbatan Island is a multi-faceted
island
destination shrouded with historical and cultural mysteries.
You
might ask, “What are that “church” ruins and ancient watchtower are
really for?" "Who is that famous local legendary hero named Lakeng
Inggo?" You might even witness the locals’ authentic religious rituals
which can not be found anywhere else on earth. The residents
are
actually a small group of Indigenous/Ethnic People in the
Philippines.
Q.
It is an island. I am still expecting things which are
typical of
a tropical island. What other things can I do or experience
there?
A. Almost everything a tropical island
can
offer: white sand beaches, beautiful coves, a shifting white
sand
bar, colorful underwater creatures like corals and tropical fishes, and
the typical tropical sunset. But there are more: common
sights of
rare birds and bats species that are extremely difficult to find in
other places in the region, unexplored caves, and virgin forests
inhabited by monkeys and other wild animals. Possibilities
are
never-ending especially for ecotourists. You can do
spelunking,
snorkeling, scuba diving, hiking around the island, camping, mountain
climbing, mountain biking around the island (just bring your own bike),
bird watching, bat watching, monkey watching, forest walking, boating
around the island and islands hopping. Foreign tourists are
also
seen doing board surfing due to the ideal wind flow around the
mountainous island and the obstruction-less sea back dropped by white
sand beaches, green hills and mountains.
Currently, it
is best to go to the Island as a backpacker or as a side tripper from
the nearby Tibiao or Culasi destinations and Mararison Island where
several formal accommodation facilities are present.
Q.
You have mentioned that the residents are members of an Indigenous
People. Will we have problems in communicating with them?
A. Although they speak a distinct
language called Cuyonin, which is different from the one being spoken by the
people in the mainland, many of them can understand and speak English
and almost everyone can understand and speak the local language
Kinaray-a and the national language Filipino. Although
generally
shy to visiting people, they are friendly and are very hospitable, too.
Q.
Where is this island located?
A. Batbatan Island is one of the three
neighboring
island villages (Mararison, Batbatan, Maningning) of the municipality (town) of Culasi in Antique
Province, Philippines. It is
about 50
kilometers away from the world-famous Boracay Island of in Malay town
of the nearby Province of Aklan.
Boracay Island is relatively close to Batbatan by sea that
diving/snorkeling/island hopping and surf boarding operators in Boracay
Island are bringing their clients around Batbatan Island and nearby
dive sites by boat. Please refer to the map
below:
http://www.exploreiloilo.com/travel-guide/antique-philippines
View
Larger Map
Q. What about
transportation, food and accommodation?
A. Batbatan Island’s tourism program is in its
infancy. You
can go to the island on your own by availing a service of a
fishing boat for about US$0.50 if you will just take a hitch with
residents going home and experience how do they do it. This
trip is not on a regular hourly basis though.
Special trips by hiring a boat cost about an average of
P1,000.00
(about US$22.00). Upon your arrival in the island, get in
touch
with a village official or you can stay in a resident’s home or a
vacant house through the assistance of a village official (vacant
houses exist since their owners are staying most of the time in the
mainland of Culasi for business reason and family members’
education). You may also bring your own tent to camp anywhere
in
the island to enjoy the scenery of your choice. You might as
well
bring your own food enough for the stay including potable water (all
available in public market in mainland Culasi) springs where residents
get their water have limited supply especially during summer days
. Limited kinds of foods are also available in variety stores
in
the island. Dried fish are abundant in the island most of the
time since it is the residents' main source of living.
Electricity was recently made available by the National Power
Corporation in the populated parts of the island. The
fully-functional, underutilized national port in Lipata, Culasi can
also be used in the future for a more efficient, more convenient and
safer transportation to and from Batbatan Island.
Lodging establishments are available in the mainland of Culasi if you
prefer to spend the night there and decide to leave Batbatan Island in
the afternoon after your daytime activities, although it is recommended
to spend your night in the island. In the mainland, there are
establishments (bar/disco pub) in the mainland that are open during
night time to cater for your active night life.
Q. Are tour
packages also available?
A. Tour packages with sets of very enjoyable activities to
choose
from can be arranged with the barangay (village)/local government or a
local operator. Packages are still in the process of
being
set up but you can ask the service of a resident for a meager pay like
bringing you around the island by boat or guide you to the
flying
foxes' colony, caves, old watch tower, etc.
Q. Sounds
interesting. Now, how can I get there?
A. It depends on the means of travel you will use and where
you are coming from.
By land (bus).
If you are from the national capital of Manila
in Luzon, you can reach Culasi through the Roll-On, Roll-Off (RORO) Bus
from Cubao, Quezon City or Pasay City in Metro Manila going to San Jose
(capital town), Antique. The route passes through Malay,
Aklan
and the Municipality of Culasi, Antique where Batbatan Island
is.
If you are from Boracay
Island or Malay, Aklan
who want to make a low-cost, high-value side trip, take the same RORO
bus from the Malay, Aklan Jetty Port going to Culasi. Other
buses, vans or jeepneys from Malay stops at crossing Nabas,
Aklan. From their take any bus or even tricycle or motorcycle
for
hire going to Culasi.
If you are from the regional center of Iloilo City, there
are buses and vans for hire that directly go to Culasi, Antique.
By air (plane).
From Manila,
you may take the route
Manila-Malay, Aklan, from Malay take the land route stated
above. Another alternative is the Manila- Iloilo City
route. From Iloilo International Airport you may hire a taxi
or
the cheaper van to Antique terminal where buses and vans bound to
Culasi awaits.
