November '06. Late night. An extraordinary thing took place around the dining table of the Aguto residence.

As always occurs when Ivatans get together, fond memories and amusing stories were shared over dishes of food and emptying bottles. But this time around, a new topic came up. Through common ideas and passionate discussion, a serious concern arose: the slow death of Ivatan culture back home on the islands. As the hours wore on, it became clear that this problem was on the minds of everyone in attendance; and it was clear that something proactive needed to be done.

The traditional way of life is dependable, self-reliant, and so unlike the ever-increasing pace of North American life. The advantages to living off the land and retaining the old ways are tremendous: little dependence on the mainland ferries for resources, a pristine environment supported by eco-tourism, better health for the general population, and a strong work ethic and appreciation instilled in our younger generations. But perhaps the most important reason to re-ignite the passion within our people is so our history and culture is not lost. We cannot allow our beautiful, rich traditions to be deflected to the pages of history books. Living as a privileged group in a well-off country, it is our duty to work on a call to action - not as a high and mighty group who knows what's best for a developing country, but as compassionate Ivatans who want to ensure our way of life is not forgotten.

I am proposing a long-term project that will culminate with a series of lectures and discussions with the people of Batanes, particularly those in school. It is a serious, time-consuming undertaking that will need years of preparation and months of follow-up. It will require the teamwork of dozens of people, in various countries, and an unwavering dedication to the cause from every person involved. This is only a preliminary stage to get the ball rolling, and to see if there is enough interest within The Ivatan Canadians of Ontario to someday go through with this project. I will lend my help in any way possible, more so when my academic career is complete. Until then, keep in mind: though it may be far by air and sea, it's still a homeland dear to me.

Thank you for your time, Melissa Aguto.


Melissa lives in Ontario, Canada and is currently taking her Masters in Occupational Therapy. She is the daughter of Lerma and Ramon Aguto.