Here in Batanes, we've come through one of the most intense and destructive typhoon seasons in recent memory. And as the weather warms and the fishing season gets underway (Dibang! Arayu!), we are already preparing our communities for the next one.

In this second part of our series on the anyin, or typhoon, season we sit down with Savidug Barangay Kapitan Ismael Haro to talk about how we can better prepare our homes and village for the strong weather to come, and what changes need to take place so that Batanes remains strong in the future.

Diyos Mamahes du dinyu atavu — for listening, for being a part of the Istorya community. To stay connected, please visit us on FB and subscribe to the podcast via Spotify, iTunes or anywhere you listen. An miruwa ta na!

Batanes is known as the land of typhoons. Going back generations, Ivatans have withstood frequent storms that have battered the islands. Because of this, our culture has adapted and survived, either by planting root crops or building sturdy homes of stone and cogon. But this past typhoon season has tested our endurance. 

Starting with Typhoon Julian in October, multiple storms surrounded, hit and whipped their way through Batanes. Our crops were destroyed. Homes damaged. Roads and communication disrupted. In this first part of a series, we sit down with Ivatans and talk to them about their experiences during this past storm season, and discuss ways to prepare for the future.

Ara mangu u kawan, kadian? Seven typhoons have hit our islands in just over a month. They've destroyed our crops and fishing boats, flooded our streets, and driven some of us from our homes. But each time, we have come together to recover – helping our neighbors, repairing our roofs, fixing our roads and gathering to cook and share hot meals. As Ivatans, we are resilient and we're finding new and old ways to endure. Here's a preview of our upcoming episode: Surviving the Typhoons. 

With our islands opening up to visitors and tourists, we're taking a look at the recent surge of COVID cases in Batanes. We talk with Ivatans about the physical and emotional toll of the pandemic and how we can protect our community moving forward.

As we celebrate a year of stories, and get ready for a new season, we say thank you to all of our listeners for being a part of the podcast. On this brief episode, we hear from listeners in Batanes, Quezon City, Mindanao and the U.S. on why Istorya Nu Ivatan is meaningful to them. (And what their favorite episodes were!)

Get ready for more shows on the topics, issues and stories that matter to us as Ivatan people!

Special dyus mamahes to our listeners for participating in this tribute: Ailene, Biba, Manny, Lelia and Camille. 

For generations, Ivatans have travelled across the globe. We've been drawn to foreign lands by work, family or circumstances beyond our control. Some of us have returned. Others have put down roots far away. But Batanes remains our homeland. In this episode, we talk to Irene Dapa Horcajo, who spent two decades working in Hong Kong before returning to her native Savidug. The experience changed her life.

In honor of World Poetry Day, we celebrate our rich poetic tradition in Batanes, called Laji, with master singers, Melecio Alasco and the late Rosita Alavado. 

Batanes is known as a natural paradise, but if you spend time at our beaches you know we face a big problem: plastic trash washing up on our shores. Join us to learn more about the province's new ban on plastic and community efforts to protect our local environment. Our guest is council member Ferdinand C. Elica, sponsor of the new plastic law in the province, Ordinance Number 302. 

To learn more about efforts to end plastic pollution in the Philippines:

Break Free From Plastic

https://www.breakfreefromplastic.org/tag/philippines/

Oceana

https://ph.oceana.org/our-campaigns/plastics

350.org

https://world.350.org/rhodeisland/plastics-and-climate/BAN

Happy Pyesta, everyone! In this special episode, Dorian shares a poem inspired by our town celebration in Savidug. 

Wishing all our listeners a safe and peaceful holiday! This week we continue our conversation with Dr. Noel Bernardo, former Municipal Health Officer for Sabtang and Doctor to the Barrios.