In Ivana, a tiny town in the south of Batan Island you can find the oldest house in the neighborhood known widely as the House of Dakay and get to know one of the nicest women from Batanes. Ms. Floresida Estrella, also known as Lola Ida (“Lola” means “Grandma”) was born in Negros Occidental, one of the islands in the centre of the Philippines. When she was 8 years old, she moved with her whole family to Batanes and “Finally it was possible to eat rice or camote (sweet potatoes) every day” she said to us after she had invited us to visit her house.

We also met her son, a man in his 60s, who lives nearby in a simple house built from wood and corrugated iron and helps his mother when she needs it. From time to time also a granddaughter comes and getting some small pocket money from her grandma, she sweeps the only room of the House of Dakay.

Lola Ida is always happy to see her guests. But we were so surprised when the 85 years old lady began to speak English!

We hoped to visit her again and bring her pictures I’d taken before, but the weather was not good enough to ride a motorbike. Instead we decided to leave these photos to one of our friends from Batanes who promised to take them to her. Because all the people know each other on the islands.