Cagayan Valley (Region II)

A street party brings together people who otherwise just walk past each other. Check early with the council whether you need permission, share out tasks like tables, music and activities for kids, and everyone brings so…

A wobbly chair, a toaster that's given up, trousers with a hole: plenty can be saved with a little skill. At a repair meetup people bring their broken things and work out a fix together with handy neighbours. Can you re…

Strong, unique passwords and two-factor login protect your accounts better than anything else. Before you post, ask yourself if you'd still be fine with it in five years, and never share addresses or locations with stra…

Helping out, for example coaching kids' sports, at an animal shelter or at local events, brings new friendships and looks great on your CV. Often just a few hours a month are enough. Simply ask clubs and organisations i…

Festivals, customs and small rituals connect people across decades. Which tradition in Batan Island means the most to you, and do you take part yourself? Tell us about it in the comments!

So many nice things happen that never make the papers: a lost wallet returned, a new shop opening, a lovely celebration. What good news from Batan Island would you like to share this week? We look forward to your posts!

A sunrise over the rooftops, a front garden in bloom or a funny sign: home is full of great pictures. Show us your best photo of the week from Batan Island and tell us briefly where you took it!

=== Japanese invasion === The Japanese invasion of the Philippines began with the invasion of Batan Island by a 490-man naval combat unit and a number of air corps troops aboard two transports escorted by one destroyer …

Batan Island ( bah-TAHN) is the main island of Batanes, an archipelagic province in the Philippines. It is the second largest of the Batanes Islands, the northernmost group of islands in the Philippines.

When you go on holiday or fall ill, someone needs to look after the cat, dog or rabbit. Neighbours are ideal: short distances and a familiar face for the animal. It's best to meet beforehand for a quick visit. Are you l…

For some older people the trip to the supermarket is hard work, especially when it's icy or very hot. If you're going shopping anyway, it's often easy to pick something up for someone else. A note in the hallway or a qu…

Guitar, drums, singing or beats on your laptop: music brings people together. Many towns have rehearsal rooms, music schools or open-mic nights where you can try things out. And bands are often looking for exactly the i…

Looking for an apprenticeship can feel huge at first. A good start: think about what you enjoy and ask local businesses directly about a work placement. Many companies welcome speculative applications even when nothing …

Spring brings blossom everywhere, summer calls you to the water, autumn leaves glow and winter gets cosy. Which season do you love most in Quirino, and what do you like to do then? Let us know!

Some words only make sense if you grew up here. Which local expression from Quirino do you love, and what does it mean? Post it in the comments, ideally with a short explanation for everyone who moved here!

Moving somewhere new often means not knowing anyone yet, and that's exactly when a neighbourhood can show how welcoming it is. Just arrived in Quirino? Tell us where you're from and what you're looking for. Everyone els…

Cagayan Valley is a region at the northeastern corner of Luzon. The regional center is Tuguegarao, and is composed of five provinces in administrative terms, namely: Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya and Quirino.…

=== Early history === Long before its formal creation as an independent province, Quirino was the forest region of the province of Nueva Vizcaya, inhabited by tribal groups known as the Negritos. They roamed the hinterl…

Quirino, officially the Province of Quirino (Ilocano: Probinsia ti Quirino; Tagalog: Lalawigan ng Quirino), is a landlocked province in the Philippines located in the Cagayan Valley region in Luzon. Its capital is Cabar…

A weatherproof box where anyone can leave books, toys or kitchen bits and take something else: sustainability can be that simple. What matters is a good spot, permission from the owner or the council, and a few people w…