The Meantime Girl [COMPLETED]

TMG-Nijuuichi

Batanes, Philippines

I'd been juggling words in my mind just to describe this place. 

ENCHANTING. Batanes is enchanting! This is beautiful and enchanting at parang walang katulad nito sa Philippines. Actually, it's so beautiful that I can't believe it's still part of our country! The landscape is distinct. Batanes has steep cliffs, rolling hills, deep canyons, and boulder-lined shores. Cool and mahangin din dito. 

We flew from Manila up north faster than PAL and SkyJet. Kung PAL siguro almost 2 hours tsaka kung SkyJet mga 1 hour and 10 minutes. Kami kinaya namin ng 50 minutes. Thanks to Andrew's private plane. It's better than turbo-prop and way advanced than the latter's jet aircraft. Mayaman pala talaga to si Andrew.

We landed on Batanes' capital which is Basco and we're on our way na to Tukon Church. Papunta palang kami dun, I can't help but admire the architecture of the houses. All are stone walled and thick thatched roof para mawithstand ang typhoons. Nasa typhoon belt kasi ang Batanes. 

By the way, Dane is with us. He serves as our tour guide, too. According to him, the people of Batanes are called Ivatans. At dahil daw sobrang layo ng Batanes, iba daw ang culture dito. The Ivatans are gentle and honest but brave and robust. HONEST. Wow, bigla ko naalala yung tungkol sa Honesty Store. Oo nga pala, dito sa Batanes yun. 

Medyo malayo layo din ang Tukon Church. Nadaanan muna namin yung Basco Cathedral tapos after ng mga 3 kilometers ata, nandito na kami sa sadya namin. Tanaw ko to kanina kasi ang eye catcher nya talaga. Para syang offering to the sky. Yes, the Church is located atop a foothill. On a hill ha.

"Tukon means mountain in the Ivatan language." Dane told us. From here, tanaw na tanaw namin ang waves ng West Philippine sea and Pacific. This is so breathtaking. Ang ganda ganda dito. 

Open ang church door kaya pumasok na kami.  Yung impression ko? Wow. This is stunning.

The design is inspired by the Ivantan stone houses. Yes, tulad ng mga nakita namin on our way. Boulders were stacked and bonded to make a wall. Sa ceiling naman nya, may large images ng patron saints. Windows are stained glass and the pews are hardwood. I swear, super ideal nito for a small intimate wedding. 

"Did my cousin told you bakit dito ang venue ng wedding?"

"Kasi dito sila unang nagdate?" Sagot ni Barbie kay Dane.

"Kasi dito sila nagbreak."

"Oh. Sounds interesting. Ang weird naman? Pero kwentuhan mo kami mamaya Dane ha. Magtatrabaho na muna kami." I told Andrew's cousin.

Barbie started to take photos of the interior while I checked on some of the arrangements that my secretary did prior to our visit here. Good thing, walang decor limitations ang Tukon Church. Allowed din ang tossing of petals. I don't like that their flower girls will be bringing pomanders. Entrance, pews and altar will be decorated. Ngayon palang, I'm having the feels of this wedding. It will be very intimate.