For Patsy Abad, who sits as the executive director of The Jorge, Aurora and Pacita Abad Memorial Foundation Inc., managing the heritage of Batanes and preserving the legacy of the late internationally acclaimed Ivan artist Pacita Abad, her aunt, was never a forged task, but a duty she is willing, ready and able to take on.
Fundacion Pacita: A Family Legacy of Giving Back to Batanes
“I’ve been involved with Fundacion Pacita for a little over 10 years now, and it was never something that felt assigned to me,” says the 36-year-old. “Growing up, Batanes was a huge part of my childhood, and our family always instilled in us a sense of responsibility to care for our community. Managing Fundacion Pacita felt like a natural extension of that.”
Her responsibilities vary from day-to-day. Because Fundacion is more than just a hilltop heritage hotel in Basco, she can be overseeing hotel operations, planning community art programs, or going to town and checking the town’s produce to update the inventory of Fundacion’s restaurant Cafe du Tukon on any given day. “Ultimately, my job is to make sure that everything we do remains aligned with the Foundation’s mission of supporting Ivatan culture and community.”
How Café du Tukon Overcame Batanes’ Biggest Challenges
Patsy knew early on that opening a restaurant in a remote island is going to prove to be a daunting challenge. But it’s one she didn’t hesitate facing as she armed herself with a proper mindset. “Supply chains can be unpredictable; weather can disrupt deliveries; and we often have to work with what is seasonally available. Instead of seeing those limitations as obstacles, we embraced them and built a menu around local ingredients and local producers. Our goal was to create a restaurant that supports Ivatan farmers and fishermen while highlighting traditional ingredients and cooking techniques, so we developed dishes that align with the season, the weather, and whatever fresh ingredients the island has to offer on any given day.”
As it turned out, their biggest hurdle wasn’t access to the food but building a formidable staff. Since most of them are local Ivatans and had little to no previous restaurant experience, she had to exhaust a lot of time and effort in training them not just the basic skills required in both the dining room and the kitchen, but also the discipline and professional composure needed to run a restaurant efficiently.
“Looking back, it’s one of the things I’m proudest of. The people running Café du Tukon today are all homegrown talents, and seeing how much they’ve grown in skill, confidence, and leadership over the years has been incredibly rewarding.”
Today, Fundacion Pacita, including Cafe du Tukon, stand as heritage hotspots in Batanes, living proof that their arts and culture not just remain very much alive, but with Patsy at the helm, are very much in good, capable hands.
The Top Food Spots in Batanes, According to Patsy Abad
1. Cafe du Tukon
“I’m obviously biased, but Café du Tukon is a must-visit. We focus on local ingredients and traditional Ivatan flavors, while giving them a contemporary touch. Aside from the food, it’s also a great place to enjoy sweeping views of Rakuh a Payaman to the south and Mt. Iraya to the north.”
What to order: Arayu Pasta composed of sun-dried dorado, traditionally made as a way to preserve fish for the coming rainy season. Its deep savory flavor and natural saltiness add depth to a rich, creamy pasta, creating something that feels both familiar and uniquely Ivatan. Also the Luñis, a traditional Ivatan pork dish. Before refrigeration, Ivatans preserved pork by slowly cooking it in its own lard, much like a confit, then storing it in jars completely covered in rendered fat. The result is super tender, flavorful pork.
2. Dulang Café
Located along Abad Street, this joint has Filipino all-time breakfast favorites adobo flakes and beef tapa sharing space with shrimp scampi and aglio olio pastas in the menu.
What to order: Pork ribs. They make some of the best on the island. They’re rich, fatty, and incredibly tender. The owners serve a variety of dishes, but the ribs are reason enough to visit!
3. Biker’s Grill
This spot was started by Malene, a Café du Tukon alumna, during the pandemic. What began as a small barbecue stand has grown into a local favorite.
What to order: There are plenty of things to choose from, but her BBQ chicken remains a favorite. It’s juicy, smoky, and perfectly charred. She also makes an off-the-menu longganisa that she supplies to Café du Tukon for their breakfast menu.
4. La Ninay’s
Situated in Mahatao, this place is owned by Keith, another Café du Tukon former member. She set up a small food stall in a part of the island that’s a bit out of the way, but the food is good enough that people happily make the trip. She also has a small farm beside the restaurant that supplies many of the herbs and leafy greens used in her cooking.
What to order: Vunung nu La Ninay’s, a platter featuring some of the best-loved Ivatan dishes. Vunung is essentially a communal packed meal traditionally prepared for almost every occasion in an Ivatan’s life, from weddings and fiestas to kapanidungan (bayanihan) and community gatherings. The word itself means “share.” Wrapped in kabaya (breadfruit) leaves and filled with a variety of dishes, vunung is a symbol of generosity and in true Ivatan fashion, a celebration of community.
5. Little Café
Little Cafe is known for its creative coffee drinks and its beautiful spot right in front of Chanarian Beach. It also has a small art gallery featuring works by local artists.
What to order: Their bestseller is the Kasasu Beef Tapa. Kasasu is a traditional Ivatan way of curing and smoking meat, and the result is deeply flavorful. It’s one of the few places on the island still serving meat this way.
Frequently Asked Questions
Café du Tukon is one of the most recommended restaurants in Batanes, known for its Ivatan-inspired dishes and panoramic views.
Popular dishes include Luñis, Arayu Pasta, Vunung, Kasasu Beef Tapa, and traditional Ivatan seafood dishes.
Luñis is a traditional Ivatan pork dish preserved in rendered fat, resulting in tender and flavorful meat.
Café du Tukon and La Ninay’s are among the best places to experience authentic Ivatan cuisine.
Vunung is a traditional Ivatan communal meal wrapped in breadfruit leaves and served during celebrations and gatherings.
Yes. Little Café is popular for specialty coffee, local art, and beachfront views.
Arayu Pasta features sun-dried dorado fish, a traditional Ivatan preservation method, incorporated into a creamy pasta dish.
Locals often recommend Café du Tukon, Dulang Café, Biker’s Grill, La Ninay’s, and Little Café.
