When in Batanes GOTO Mahatao Church (AD 1789)

Facing the West Philippine Sea in Batan Island in Batanes lies the Spanish colonial Mahatao Church, also known as the Church of San Carlos Borromeo.  It was declared by the National Museum as a national cultural treasure on July 31, 2001 and is under the conservation program of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts(NCCA).

The Mahatao Church faces the West Philippine Sea. 

The church was built by the Dominicans in 1789 and in 1873, originally a wooden structure, it was improved with limestone walls and cogon roofing. Like the traditional houses in the typhoon frequented islands in Batanes, the church is made of stone and lime (common building materials in Batanes) to withstand the typhoons.  

The San Carlos Borromeo Church is one of 26 Spanish colonial churches recognized as a cultural icon in the Philippines. 

On top is a belfry with old bells dating back to 1874. Its baroque interiors is adorned with flowers and image of the patron Saint CharlesBorromeo, also Saint Joseph, Saints Dominic de Guzman and Saint Rose of Lima.

The Baroque interior of the Mahatao Church. 

The church was also the place were Ivatan Katipunan revolutionaries raised the flag of the Katipunan on the bell tower on September 19, 1898. The Katipunan (KKK) was a Filipino revolutionary movement founded by Andress Bonifacio and revolutionary Filipinos in Manila in 1892 to fight for indenpendence from Spain.

When in Batanes, GOTO the Mahatao Wind Mills

The three wind mills in Mahatao in the island province of Batanes – considered as the first wind farm of Southeast Asia, continue to draw tourists despite their present condition, that is, they have been folded down and not currently used because it is in dire need of major repairs. The spare parts for the same however, are not readily available in the country as they are imported machineries. The site of the three wind mills itself is frequently visited by tourist as one of their must see destinations in their itinerary.

The wind mills are hybrid power source and specially designed for Batanes consisting of three 600-kilowatt wind turbines meant to supply Batanes with 24/7 electricity. Because Batanes is frequently visited by Typhoons, the wind mills bend to avoid being toppled down by strong wilds. The towers were designed to be tilted-down and the turbines can be lowered and then raised again after the typhoon has passed over the island. When the wind is not strong enough to run the turbines, it automatically runs the two 500-kw diesel generators to ensure that the island continues to have electricity.

The renewable wind mill energy project was started in 1997 when electricity in Batanes was provided by the National Power Corporation (subsidized by the government) which provided electricity from six o’clock in the morning up to midnight only.

The power plant was especially designed for Batanes with First Philippine Energy Corporation (FPEC), a subsidiary of contractor First Generation Holdings Corporation which is dedicated to the development of renewable energy projects. FPEC interconnected with a French firm, Vergnet, to design three 600-kilowatt wind turbines and with the Australian company Advanced Energy System for the integration of the whole system. It is the result of a partnership by the private sector with the government. This project is one of its kind because it was never done before. The wind mills have ceased to operate after several strong typhoons passed through the Batanes causing serious damage to the wind mills.

NAPOCOR have since provided electricity on a 24-hour daily basis through large diesel generators. Today, there is 24/7 electricity which have sustained the trade, industry and hospitality sectors, also ushered the increased influx of tourists. 

Two of the three wind mills of Mahatao. 

The wind mills remain tilted down for need of repairs. 

The towers are designed to be tilted-down and the turbines can be lowered during typhoons. 

Site visit and brief history of the wind mills.