Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts

Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts celebrated from the last week of April to the first week of May was originally the Feast of the Natives that began on May 3, 1883, according to the writings of Damaso King, a well-known Vigan historian. This is the third festival of this city that we celebrate every year, the first is the Vigan Cityhood anniversary featuring the Longganisa Festival on January 22, and the Vigan City fiesta on January 25 in honor of the city’s patron saint, Saint Paul the Apostle.

Last last years without the invisible enemy of us which is the pandemic, they usually celebrate Binatbatan Festival in culminating the Binatbatan street dancing, which started in front of the Vigan Cathedral, and ended along Crisologo Street, where old houses were festooned with abel iloco decor for the house decorating contest. The term binatbatan refers to the first step of the weaving process, wherein the cotton balls are separated from the seeds by beating them with the use of two bamboo sticks. Later on, binatbatan inspired an Ilocano folk dance. Costumes and props were created with abel iloco and the choreography was inspired by the weaving process.

Our invisible enemy we're facing cancelled a lot of events. But despite of the restrictions caused by the invisible enemy we're facing, those barriers can’t stop us Bigueños to bloom. Bigueños are known for having a positivity and having a determination. Hidden smile under masks, distance and struggles can’t hold us back to celebrate the unique feast, Binatbatan Festival. Even if it was far different than before we should kept in our minds that bearing, living and embracing culture and traditions are one of the most consequential philanthropy in life.

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