Dozens of Tao People Absent From Batanes Day Celebrations
Dozens of Taiwan's Indigenous Tao people, including elders and the sailors who paddled from Orchid Island to Batanes, are absent from the Batanes Day celebrations due to flight cancellations. The sailors rowed a traditional canoe from Orchid Island to Batanes, rekindling an ancient sea route that connected the Indigenous peoples of both regions, who share a common heritage.
Batanes Day Celebrations
REPORTER:
Many members of Taiwan’s indigenous Tao community will not be attending a Philippine celebration in Batanes due to poor weather.
Community members were expected to take part in Batanes Day, an annual celebration of the Philippine province’s founding. But bad weather forced the cancellation of their flights. Tao rowers completed a historic voyage earlier this month, sailing a traditional indigenous canoe, called the “Ovayan - Golden Friendship,” from Taiwan’s Orchid Island to Batanes. Their journey revived a centuries-old maritime route that had been dormant for generations.
Dozens of Tao people, including some sailors and elders, have now been stuck for three days in Angeles City in northern Philippines, forcing them to miss the festivities in Batanes.
Chen Kuan-sen (DIRECTOR, DEPT. OF EDUCATION AND CULTURE, COUNCIL OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE):
Our trip form Orchid Island to Batanes
has been affected by the typhoon
and severe weather conditions.
We have not been able to make the journey as planned.
Our current plan is that
if weather conditions permit on [June] 27th
we’ll prioritize getting the rowers
and some other Tao members to Batanes.
It’s also a very important moment
as the people of Batanes have been looking forward to
reuniting with their friends and relatives from Orchid Island.
REPORTER:
The Tao people are expected to arrive in Batanes on Saturday to attend the donation ceremony of the traditional canoe.
Today, as one Ivatan community, we celebrate the founding of our Province, 243 years ago! We celebrate the rich history, timeless culture, and breathtaking landscapes of our beloved home.
To all Kaydians and Kahilyans here in Batanes and across the globe, may we continue to enliven our time-honored Ivatan values of honesty, resilience, and sense of community.
