Once Upon A Chance

Chapter Five

Batanes is like heaven on earth. I've read about it from the travel blogs I follow and it's been my ultimate dream destination since. Now that I'm here, I can say that it definitely exceeded my expectations. It's like I'm in another dimension and I don't want to leave anymore.

Marco suggests that we take the Batan Island North tour first. It's easy because we can just negotiate with tricycle drivers outside the hometel to take us on a packaged tour. The cost is not much considering the driver knows where to take us and can serve as a tour guide as well.

Our first stop: the Tukon Church.

The ride on the tricycle is shaky so I bump into Marco a number of times. He just laughs about it and even teases me when my forehead hits the steel part of the tricycle. Being this close to him, I can see his dimples when he smiles. He also has a little scar on his chin, and I find myself having the urge to touch it.

After a bumpy ride, we have finally arrived at Tukon Church.

The church is a work of art. Its walls are made of boulders and are specially made in a traditional Ivatan style. What has made the church even more eye-catching is it's nestled atop a hill and is surrounded by greenery. From here, I can see the waters of the Pacific.

"It's beautiful," I utter. Admiration is obvious in my voice.

"The Ivatans built this on their own," Marco explains. He knows practically everything, like a walking encyclopedia. "And since its founding, this church has been one of the attractions on the island."

I take pictures using my phone, but they can't even justify the beauty of the scenery. Marco, on the other hand, has his digital camera on hand. He takes a few shots before heading inside.

The interior of the church is dazzling despite its simplicity and small size. Images of patron saints are painted on the ceiling. The stained glass windows and wooden pews add to its splendor.

"They say that if it's your first time to visit a church, you make a wish and it will come true," I share. We're now in front of the altar, which is my favorite part.

"And you heard that from?" Marco asks.

"My mom," I say, feeling a pang of sadness. It's never my intention to hurt their feelings, but I have to change my life the way I want to or the chance might slip away.

"So what will you wish for?" Marco turns and fixes his eyes on me. I start thinking of my career, my future, and the uncertainty that awaits me when all this escape-to-find-myself phase is over.

"I have many things to wish for," I tell him."But other than that, I also have a lot to thank for."

"Looking at the bright side of things then," He smiles, positivity reflected in his eyes. "Inspiring." There's something in his charmed expression that makes me blush.

Marco opens up about his dream of establishing a culinary school to train deserving young chefs. Yes, he's a food connoisseur and a chef (there's a difference between the two). His advocacy, according to him, is helping the less fortunate succeed through his passion. I encourage him to pray for it.

After praying, we take few more pictures inside the church before proceeding to our next destination which is Fundacion Pacita.
Fundacion Pacita is a boutique hotel owned by the predominant family in Batanes. My initial plan is to stay here but one night will cost me an arm--well, not really but you get what I mean. The place is a perfect setting for Emily Bronte's Wuthering Heights or any classic novel for that matter, since it's located on top of a cliff with a nice view.

It's cold up here which is bizarre for a tropical country. A beautifully landscaped garden, with its iconic blue benches, greets us upon arrival. We walk around the nature's lodge first to enjoy the cold breeze before we head to the main house, or the hotel.