The origin of the name Itbayat

Source
1985.10.2. Mayan, Itbayat, Batanes, Erlinda Antas Garcia (linda). b.1953.11.18.

English Translation
The story told to me by the late grandma Lakaati (Carmen Camacho).

A long time ago there was no name for this place because there were no people, for the first people who came to Itbayat were lovers from Sabtang and from another place. So as they were in that place, one day a boat arrived, and they went to meet but they didn't know what they sould answer. So the only statement they made was, "What shall we answer? (akoh o itbay ta?)."

So the new people who came from the boat only heard their saying "akoh o itbay ta?" So they automatically called the place Itbayat from the root word itbay. So the people who were stronger in this place publicized that the name of the people where they landed was Itbayat.