December 11, 2010
My Dearest Batanes,
I hope this letter finds you well.
Before anything else, let me tell you that I write in desperation. Let me explain why.
You do not know me, you haven’t heard my name too. But you, I know you, I know you by name. I not only saw your stunning photos (beautiful in whatever angle even in black & white), you are actually in my dreams, almost tattooed on my mind, carved in my heart. You see, I can’t forget you. I heard about you a decade ago and have been wanting to let you know one thing but was too afraid that it would break my heart if I am rejected. So I taught myself to forget you. Yes, just pretend that I didn’t know you. It was painful, no amount of analgesic can kill the pain. Still, you continually haunt me in my dreams, you tease me, you visit and re-visit my mind in times of weakness, only you can do that. But my pretending has to stop now. I will tell you what I have been wanting to tell you. What’s in you, mysterious one?
I am charmed. Your rustic charisma is beyond all remarks. You are the apple of my eye, my Aphrodite, my Kryptonite, my joy, my dream forever- the reason for my smile. Your landscapes (Batan) heavenly, your stone houses (House of Dakay among many) fascinating, your people (the Ivatans in Honesty Cafe) sincere, your weather (four seasons and 7 Celcius at times) tumultuous, your beauty (Chanarian cliffs) alluring, your mountains (Mt.Iraya) stunning, your guiding light (Basco Lighthouse) commanding, your wine (Palek) aged and seasoned by time, your roads (biking) inviting, your beaches (Valugan beach) mesmerizing- all these together add to your natural awesomeness. If I have written this a decade ago, I would have say “perfect 10.” But now I’m older, let me say you exceed all their expectations. And I’m sure you will exceed mine’s too.
I am jealous. I am jealous of those who earlier beheld you. All their eyes are filled with magic. As if they drank from a secret fountain of your splendor. I’m jealous because they can afford to visit you. I am jealous because I don’t even want to log on to SEAIR because I know I will only be frustrated with that amount. I am not born with a silver spoon like them, nor do I have 6-digit paycheck. I promise to kiss you when I see you. Would you wave your hand and embrace me at the airport?
I am mustering all strength just to see you. Let me use these phrases I painstakingly learned just so I can speak your native tongue, hoping that you would give an audience.
I want to see you because “taytu ka mavid” (you are beautiful). Saying “Ichakey ku imu” (I like you) is too simplistic, maybe a heartfelt “Ichaddaw ku imu” (I love you) is more fitting- yes “Ichaddaw ku imu” has been in my heart a decade ago. And I will say it again and again “Ichaddaw ku imu,” “Ichaddaw ku imu Batanes.” Would I hear you say “I love you too.”?
This is your lover, a solo traveler, let me get intimate with you. I offer you only my undivided heart. I will be waiting for your “atbay” (reply). Dios mamajes (Thank you).
Again, from the bottom of my heart, Batanes, “Ichaddaw ku imu.” I want you to be mine.
Love & Prayers,
JourneyingJames
PS. Reader, would you be willing to bridge me to Batanes by “liking” my entry at SEAIR’s Facebook Fan Page?
Step 1: “Like” SEAIR FAN PAGE at Facebook.
Step 2: “Like” my entry “Batanes, I Love You”
Step 3 (Optional): “Share” my Love Letter to Batanes and let others be in love too!
Dios mamajes nu mapia (God reward you with goodness).
The pictures are edited and are lifted from aylaliberato‘s set.
Hahaha, panalo yung mga picture! Good luck James! 😀
sana panalo din yung article sa mata ng mga judges. 🙂
inisip ko din kasi yung letter ko sa future wife ko,,,kaya medyo nahirapan ako, more than a month in the making yung letter… a series of edit and re-edit and edit and re-edit again in my mind.
thanks nina! I hope batanes would read my letter.
goodluck james! =)
Dios mamajes chyng! paki-like narin 🙂 sumali ka ba?
when do you plan to go james? in february?
january ata kapag nanalo 🙂 for the win! love you batanes!
Ang corny mo, dude. Mali-mali pa grammar mo. Nag-college ka ba?
ganun talaga kapag in love dude! salamat narin sa bisita at sa commento. wahahahaha!
name: estan (ginaya mo pa ha)
blog- Chuvaness.com (sinong becky?)
e-mail add: hayupulolfuckyou@becky.ka (seriously)
Hello James,
Kapian Dios (it’s our Ivatan greetings).
I love your article. It’s captivating my soul lol.. if I am rich, I would send you a round trip ticket to my province right away lol…
Hopefully you visit our province. You are most welcome… Ichaddao namen atavu maddao su Vatan (we love all those who love Batanes).
Dios mavidin (God be with you).
-Er
wow er! thanks for this comment, i almost fell off my seat when i read this. really hope i can win the contest. Dios mavidin!
btw, what’s Kapian Dios?
goodluck! :))
Dios mamajes!
haha natuwa ako sa pictures! Goodluck James! 🙂
you will be courting batanes din right? go go gael! i really hope i win this one. bagay sa akin yung vacul kahit pang gurl lang pala yun
Para palang French ang language nila haha! Vakul!
Hang kyot nung last pic hahaha!!! Good luck jamess!!
oo nga, learned a lot of “nice phrases” thru that.
but the vacul is for women only 😉
ok lang to look funny, experience din yun!
Panalo na eto, kaka-iba sa mga nabasa ko sa pa contest ng Seair. I’ll bet my sinturon on this entry.
thanks marky! pinapalakas mo loob ko. wag mo lang akong papaluin ng sinturon mo. thanks!
sir:
pang-girla lang po yun vakul.
generous nmn po si SEAir.
kita-kits sa Batanes.
JAMES! You crack me up! 🙂 this is passion roaring! 🙂
Good luck sir!
For sure, Batanes can’t resist your letter’s charm.. 😛
thanks mapanuri! isa ka pang pampalakas ng loob, i hope batanes can read your comment and take it to heart
sana manalo tau lahat! ma bankrupt ang seair o. hahaha
yun oh! kita kits nalang kung sakali sa batanes.. i really hope we win! sana they add more slots, maybe make it 14? thanks in advance SEAIR.
Congratulations! Enjoy Batanes!
CONGRATS james…BLOGGERS PICK yung entry mo to..
yehheeeyyy!!!!
thanks guys! i won this contest along with 6 others 🙂 thank you seair and to the bloggers/judges!
thank you Lord for the blessings!
Congratulations to all winners!!! I like your love letter “Dear Batanes, once a traveller will always be a traveller… It’s in our heart’s desire to see the captivating beauty of our mother nature.
thanks mam josephine! 🙂 just the thought of experiencing Batanes for the first time is exhilirating
my prediction is correct. This entry won…guess I’ll keep my sinturon haha
too late for my LIKE, anyway, congrats James! i’m planning to go to Batanes kasi but i have no idea how much it will cost me, so i visit your site baka makakuha ng tips 😉 at nakita ko nga to pero nainggit lang ako hahaha!
sure irish, will definitely make blogpost for you to be envious more! hahaha
i will sa batanes too- a series of rave runs!
Congratulations James ! For sure Batanes will welcome and embrace you wholeheartedly !
it did! haha yaan na, visit batanes series na
Akala ko ako lang ang patay na patay kay Batanes. Grabe mas inlababo ka sa kanya! Sana kasing galing mo rin akong gumawa nang loveletter para naman nakajoin ako ng contest and avail Seair’s free ticket hahaha. Anyway I know its late but still CONGRATS! 🙂
way to go james. wag tayong maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan. 2 thumps up!
thanks vans! i agree with that statement. kaya wag muna HK at SG ang isipin..haha
For me Batanes is the no. 1 tourist spot…..sana madaming pinoy makapunta dun…..
though nakakatakot mgswimming sa beach bcoz of the waves…but the sceneries wow very nice…..it’s good also for photographers…. Baka masira ang camera sa daming places na kukuhanan…..
yep, nakakatakot ang super lamiiiiiig ng tubig. haha