By Rica Arevalo Images by Bryan Emanuel S. Termulo Yaru Gallery Among tourists and travelers, Batanes emerged as one of the most requested destinations in the country. Landscapes are jaw-dropping and mesmerizing. The Racuh A Payaman or Marlboro Country is a must visit. A taste of luñis (dried pork adobo) served in an exclusive jinjin (a wall made of sewn cogon) restaurant near the Morong Beach is to die for. Picturesque lighthouses are all over the place. Of course, seeing traditional stone houses in Chavayan is worth braving the big waves and seasickness. Since last year, we have been visiting Batanes to document traditional Ivatan houses and their exceptional boat-building techniques with The National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP). Last week, while we were biking around Basco, we noticed a colorful structure and stopped by to check the Yaru Gallery and Art Shop. A population close to 18,000 people, the Yaru is Batanes’ first and sole art gallery. Artist Awee Abelador manages the sole art gallery in Batanes We sat down with artist Xavier “Awee” Abelador to talk about the local artists’ creative endeavors. He says, “Yaru Gallery is an art collective, it’s a pioneer gallery. It is the biggest form of community volunteerism.” In Batanes, there is kapañidungan—an organization where members meet to work when help is needed. “If there’s a calamity, may nasirang bridge, the leader of the community asks each family to send a representative to help the community,” explains the FEATI Fine Arts graduate. “We brought that concept in the arts. Nagtutulungan yung mga artists (artists help one another).” The artists’ roster aged 21 to 34 years old includes Michelle “Mytz” Abelador, Jaypee “JP” Portez, Javier Ponce, Leslie Merina, Virgilio Gordo, Vorz Portez, Marrel Pajanil, Michael Malupa, Jerish Alcoy, and Sam Vargas, among others. Their works range from watercolor, acrylic, oil painting, mixed medium, and found objects. Amorsolo-inspired Mayatep by Virgilio Gordo shows the bayanihan spirit of the Ivatans when building their traditional limestone houses. Arayu by Jerish Alcoy centers on the Batanes’ prized fish similar to mahi-mahi or golden dorado. Harvesting an arayu is part of a sacred tradition in Diura, Batanes. Alcoy is inspired by the circles of homegrown international artist Pacita Abad.  Gaia by Awee Abelador found a computer motherboard and painted the found object with a futuristic look. 'Mayatep' by Virgilio Gordo “Annually we exhibit eco art advocacy to promote to the locals about solid waste management.” shares the 34-year-old Awee.  “We turn found objects into art. For this year’s theme, we have steam punk. It is science fiction, everything is powered by steam.” He adds: “Somehow we pay back to the community. We hold workshops and donate murals in the outskirts like Sabtang.  One of our targets is Itbayat.” Itbayat is in between the treacherous waters of Balintang and Bashi Channels, believed to be the home of the native Ivatans who settled in Batanes around 2,000 BC. The group had an exhibit at Galerie Y in 2014 with Manny Baldemor. “We made an interaction art together and Baldemor also had a workshop here.” Other artists who also visited Batanes and shared their knowledge to the young artists were Araceli Dans and BenCab. The Yaru artists also collaborate with the arts program of The Jorge, Aurora, and Pacita Abad Memorial Foundation, Inc. Most artists are self-taught and enhanced by workshops. “The very inspiration is Batanes, the place.  It is the source of the artistry. It is in the DNA of the Ivatans,” exclaims Awee. “Art is applied in everything they do, even the boats, design, stone houses, farming. How we adapt to the weather, how we adapt to the seasons. We have three seasons: winter, typhoon, and summer.” Awee worked in the corporate world as a graphic artist in Manila before. “Sabi ko, kailangan ko bumalik para tulungan kapwa artists, at the same time, the community, ma-develop yung art, to promote Batanes and the heritage.” (I need to go back to help fellow artists, at the same time, the community, to develop the arts, to promote Batanes and the heritage). You can visit the Yaru Gallery and Art Shop located at the National Road, Kaychanarianan, Basco.  Opens Monday to Sunday, 2 p.m. to 7 p.m.; 63 949 985 7037; [email protected]