Photographer captures Batanes aerial shots


Most of us are just aching to take a breather amidst all the stress brought upon by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

But in Batanes, the northernmost province of the Philippines, the locals’ way of life is a breather in itself and it’s going on peacefully as usual as captured by photographer Opal Bala in his aerial shots. 

Batanes aerial shots - Sabtang, Batanes
Image credit: Opal E. Bala 

The aerial view of Sabtang, for example, shows a town lying quietly across the sea and surrounded by green hills.


The aerial shots capture the town’s seaside lifestyle


Batanes aerial shots
Image credit: Opal E. Bala  

A lone fisherman with a basket on his back seems to go about his usual routine on the shores, probably catching shellfish he can later sell in the local market.

Batanes aerial shots
Image credit: Opal E. Bala 

Waves are captured in sharp detail in the photograph, so we’re now dreaming of a future when we can safely surf and swim again.


The Naidi Hills in Basco have an organic farm


Batanes aerial shots - Naidi Hills organic farm
Image credit: Provincial Government of Batanes 

Meanwhile, the Multi-Commodity Organic Farm run by the Provincial Government of Batanes located in the famous Naidi hills of Basco is also shown in Opal’s aerial shots.

Various agricultural technologies can be seen scattered across the hills and on the left, the words “Batanes, Go Organic” are spelled out by what look to be live plants.


The farm will be open to tourists soon


Batanes aerial shots - Naidi Hills organic farm
Image credit: Provincial Government of Batanes 

Started in 2018, this farm aims to keep a constant supply of quality food for the province’s people using organic methods. It also follows the Ivatan community’s traditional farming system, which relies on organic methods of pest control rather than on artificial fertilizers. 

For outsiders curious to learn more about this organic farm, we’ve heard that it will be open as an agro-tourism site open to visitors soon. 


Photographs showing the isolated beauty of Batanes


Batanes has always been untouched by the hustle and bustle of urban living. And as the aerial photographs show, the province’s traditional ways of living show the world the beauty that can be found in simple ways of living with nature.

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Cover image credit: Opal E. Bala, Provincial Government of Batanes 

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