Sabtang Island is the southernmost island of the Batanes Group, one of the two island municipalities of Batanes, the other one being Itbayat Island which is the northernmost island. Apart from the main island of Sabtang itself, the municipality also includes two uninhabited islands, Ivuhos and Dequey.

As it is with other parts of the island province, Sabtang boasts of natural geographical formations, one of which is Morong Beach in Malakdang.

Located on the northern tip of Sabtang Island, Morong Beach is not only popular because of its white beach. The most photographed arch in Sabtang is not a manmade welcome arch, but one that was crafted by nature through meticulous weathering. Known as Nakabuang Arch, the iconic rock formation is a naturally formed to an arch, with verdant growth on its surface that adds to its natural beauty.

In the same Ivatan tour guide fashion that Kuya Joaquin has shown us for the past two days, Ate Edna was also quick in terms of asking to take our photos.

Apart from the Nakabuang Arch, other rock formations also surround the beach adding touches of natural beauty to the place. The vegetation that grows on the surface of the rocks is a tell-tale not only of the age of the formations, but likewise gives a clue on how undisturbed they are.

Sabtang does not only showcase natural wonders. It also had a major contribution in the historical formation of Batanes, so major that it caused the forced relocation of the people of Sabtang to Ivana in the island of Batan. In 1791, the Chieftain Aman Dangat of Malakdang led an uprising which caused the death of seven Spanish officials. In a retaliatory strike, the colonial government quashed the uprising. Aman Dangat was captured and eventually hanged in the capital town of Basco. The forced relocation was implemented soon afterward, such that the government could easily monitor the activities of the natives.

Our trip to Malakdang was hence not only a trip to behold the wonders of nature. It was also a trip to a rich historical past. While Aman Dangat is not as celebrated as those others who also went against the colonial regime during its early stages, his bravery is something engraved on the memories of the Ivatan, and it is not something that they would allow to fade to oblivion.

Unfortunately for me, our trip to Malakdang was also the start of an excruciating experience. If it did not take more than 15 minutes for us to reach Morong Beach, it also did not take more than 15 minutes for my mind to go wayward. In the midst of what was supposed to be an enjoyably relaxing trip in the beautiful island of Sabtang, my dysthymia and generalized anxiety disorder made its way through. Nakabuang Arch turned out to be the portal where an uninvited and unwanted guest would make its way inside my head.

My sincerest apologies for the play of words, pero sa Nakabuang ako nabuwang.