Batanes: Ivana Church and Honesty Coffee shop
San Jose de Ivana Church
This would be a quick post on one of my favorite looking church in Batanes, the San Jose de Ivana Church. Although built in 1814 with foundation dating back as far as 1795, it is one of the well preserved structures in the island. Right now, it still looks new. I like this church since it looks a bit different from the other churches as it looks more like a fortress at first.
Ivana Church Facade
The bell tower on the side can be climbed from behind, but steps are rather steep. It will lead you to the roof top of the church where you’ll be able to have a good view of the sea and the port going to Sabtang.
Ivana Church Tiles
The said island can be seen on the horizon as well. From that vantage point, if you have a good zoom or binoculars, the church can be clearly seen from Sabtang as well opposite their island’s San Vicente Ferrer Church.
Ivana Sea port view
The Church doesn’t have huge interiors but it does have elaborate tile patterns and noticeable thick walls.
Local Ivatans biking on the roadside
The Church is not hard to find as its located along side the main road of Batan Island and also one of the usual ports if you are going to cross the sea and head off to the opposite island of Sabtang.
Honesty Coffeeshop
Just across the street and a few steps from the church is another popular landmark, The Honesty Coffee Shop. I wrote about this coffee shop before but the place has changed now. It has become bigger with a few tables inside. It really looks more like a cafe than a sari-sari store. Yet still, the place is usually un managed. Prices are listed on the counter and you’ll find a drop box where you’ll put your money in. A container also has some change available. It’s only in Batanes where you can find such establishment.
Tags: Batan, Batan Island, Batanes, Church, Churches, Heritage
Posted on
Monday, June 30th, 2008 at 10:46 am 
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June 30th, 2008 at 1:15 pm
ang ganda ng church na ito Ferdz! ang galing, at kinunan mo pa sa iba’t ibang angulo. got a better idea of its size also. Naalala ko yung Honesty Coffeeshop na yan, nag-improved na yung shop nila, siguro tinatangkilik ng mga turista. Ang galing ng idea ng coffeshop na yan, malamang pagpumunta ako dyan, tiba-tiba ang may-ari sa akin, hehe. did you try their coffee? ano ba yan instant o brewed?
June 30th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Gustong-gusto ko talaga yung concept ng Honesty Shop. Ang ganda ng mga photos. Tatak-Ferdz talaga.
By the way i am campaigning for INSULARE and DONGISM in Filipino Blog of the Week. Kindly VOTE for them in Talksmart’s or my blog. The poll is in the upper right side of the blog. Just check both their names. Take Care!!!
June 30th, 2008 at 4:44 pm
I really enjoy your articles. It helped me a lot to know more about places. More power to you man!
June 30th, 2008 at 6:08 pm
wow, my most favorite church in batanes!
am glad to see the coffee shop in place na.
what i’m sad to note is that the locals discontinued using ivana as the port for falowas going to sabtang kasi malas daw that the church faces the sea. anyway, that’s for the locals to decide. keep the wonderful posts coming bro!
July 1st, 2008 at 12:56 am
Galing naman preserved pa rin ang church :). Honesty Coffee Shop, Cool ito ha! they’re lucky to have honest customers kahit tourist would be embarrassed to steal goods. Siguro you will feel na maraming mata ang nakatingin sayo kahit mag isa ka lang bumibili heheh *5 star itong shop na ito sa pagiging unique nya.
July 1st, 2008 at 1:59 am
Hey Ferdz, this is beautiful! Stopping by here is like touring the Philippines too.
July 1st, 2008 at 2:17 am
the concept for the honesty cafe is pretty innovative. this island is pretty photogenic, it must be prettier in person. the church is majestic. a good backdrop for a wedding photo right?
July 1st, 2008 at 2:56 am
ey ferdz! sinong bumibili ng mga items pag wla ng laman yung honesty store? ;P
July 1st, 2008 at 8:32 am
Hey, cool, Honesty Coffee Shop is growing. Pretty soon they’ll be all over the place…. I mean, just in Batanes.
I changed my address, btw. I’m now at http://miskina-ano.blogspot.com
July 1st, 2008 at 11:20 am
Hmmm…great place! My ideal kind of church for a destination wedding. Now, I just have to find the groom.
July 1st, 2008 at 11:59 am
ang galing galing!
hay.. ang ganda naman… kelan kaya ako makakarating dito….
July 1st, 2008 at 12:10 pm
para ngang mexican style ang harap. siguro ito na ang pinaka matibay na simbahan. akalain mong ilang bagyo kada taon ang dumadaan dito.
galing ng honesty coffee shop na yan. hanapin ko talaga yan pagpunta ko dyan. malamang may second floor na yan pagpunta ko.
July 1st, 2008 at 12:31 pm
I agree, the church looks like a fortress, I wonder what place (or region) was the inspiration behind the construction of this.
Wow, Honesty Coffeeshop! Glad to know that such a place still exists in Pinas
July 1st, 2008 at 3:03 pm
nice looking church! ang ganda. i havent seen anything close to that here in pinas. galing!
August 27th, 2008 at 1:00 am
WOW!!ang ganda ng Kuha mo sa simbahan.Salamat,dahil naipagmalaki ko sa mga kasamahan ko dito sa Saudi.Nagustuhan nila at napakaganda daw.lumaki ako sa bayan ng Ivana.at naalala ko nung bata pa ako,na pinapalo ako ng lola ko kapag hindi kmi nagsimba araw araw,naglalaro kmi dyan sagilid ng kampanaryo ng mga kalaro ko.yung honesty shop,hindi makapaniwala ang mga kasama ko dito na meroon palang tindahan na ganuon.Sana magkaroon ng pagbaba ng fare sa Eroplanung bumabyahe dyan.salamat ulit.SALAMALAYKUM!PEACE BE UPON HIM.