There are a couple of old churches in Batan Island. St Dominic Church is right in the middle of Basco. San Carlos Borromeo Church is is Mahatao, about 30minutes drive. Inside, there is a statue of the Holy Mother adorned with Ivatan Gold. There is no glass encasing nor any metal grill protecting the statue, and there has never been any attempt of theft (thats according to my competent guide, mang Roger Amboy). But the St Joseph the Worker Church in Ivana is quite an exception. It stands on top of a hill (?) overlooking the sea, with Sabtang island just beyond the horizon. It has a history that is uniquely Ivatan.
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