Oh my gulai. Fundacion Pacita is the champion of beauty. If we get to create our own heaven I think I will ask Pacita Abad to help recreate Fundacion Pacita as my afterlife. It encompasses nature, serenity, vibrant color and divine food. All of my favorite things. So, yes, you absolutely must experience Fundacion Pacita. The price tag for the hotel rooms will have to wait until our next life when we have saved up for two life times but you can still enjoy FP without staying overnight. If you are blessed with enough good fortune to afford to stay there, I highly recommend it.

The Abad's are such an influential family from Batanes their roots run deep and their influence is still very strong. All over Batanes you will see Pacita Abad's influence with patterns and colors. I loved it. What a cool heritage.

Along the path to the gallery you will meet this bright mural with phrases in the local language, Ivatan/Ibatan. "Dios Mamajes" is thank you in Ivatan.

The gallery overlooks the south part of the island and is unmistakably breathtaking. I can't imagine what it would be like to wake up to that view. *I believe you are not able to see the art gallery unless you are staying overnight on site. The grounds are worth a visit all on their own. Nestled beyond the restaurant and to the right near the hotel rooms you will find this quaint sitting area. Our first day we sat and rested for a few moments to take it all in. When we returned the other two nights for dinner we laid on the benches and star gazed. The restaurant on site, Cafe du Tukon, was killer. The food was divine and the menu spectacular and diverse offering local ingredients and local dishes among a variety of others. The dessert menu alone is worthy of its own visit. As I stared up at this beautiful ceiling and the thick metal beams my husband and I discussed how much labor and love when into hauling each piece of material to Batanes and then to the site of FP. If I remember correctly, Pacita was able to see the hotel open but died shortly after from breast cancer. What a beautiful treasure she left on earth for us to enjoy. I am so thankful for artists and creators who beautify this earth for others to enjoy leaving a legacy in their wake. Nestled in the corner you can see Mt. Iraya. My goodness, do the views ever stop in Batanes? So effortless she isn't even showing off, she just exists in the beauty always.

So many details added and nothing forgotten. I was even swooning over the bathroom. The thick lava rocks make it an almost polka dot wall. I mean...!

Now, the other half that makes FP just as heavenly, the food. All ingredients were so fresh and flavorful. I wish we could dine at Cafe du Tukon here in Manila.

A few tips: Save room for dessert, order their salads and order bread to take home and eat the next day for breakfast. Oh. My. Goodness.

Things To Know:

Fundacion Pacita Batanes Nature Lodge Brgy. Chanarian, Tukon Basco, Batanes 3900 Philippines
Contact Numbers: 0939-9016353 (Smart) | 0917-8559364 (Globe) Email: inquiries@fundacionpacita.ph | fundacionpacita50@gmail.com
It is wise to have a reservation.
For surreal beauty have a reservation during sunset and then star gaze on the benches after.
Save all your pesos and stay at FP. You must stay for a minimum of two nights. Their rule, not mine. :)