Binatbatan Festival of the Arts

Binatbatan Festival traces its roots to the Abel weaving industry of Vigan which has been in existence even before the Spaniards came to colonize the Philippines. Binatbatan festival has grown to be one of the main cultural events in the Philippines' northern archipelago, and it is held during the first week of May.

 

In celebrating the Binatbatan Festival, the streets were closed, people flocked to certain locations, and drums are beating loud and clear. Colorful costumes are being worn by the street dancers as they proudly proclaim "Viva Vigan!". The playful movements of this dance are connected to Vigan’s Abel Iloco craft. The dance depicts how cotton pods are beaten with bamboo sticks to release the cotton fluff called batbat from its seed.

 

Aside from street dancing, additional events are held to commemorate the occasion. Such as calesa parades, ramada or traditional games, comedy or stage plays, Santa Cruzan parades, Abel fashion shows, house decorations, singing contests and beauty pageants, and other thrilling events like the Amazing Heritage Race. Apart from the activities, there are also exhibits, garden shows, as well as trade and food fairs.

 

The event promotes the tapestry of culture and arts woven by the Ilocanos. Its goal is to maintain the popularity of the entire northern tourism industry, bringing in tens of thousands of local and foreign tourists eager to explore and have a northern experience. Its purpose is to raise awareness of the historic town's value, in the hopes of strengthening the resolve to preserve and protect the heritage site. It also emphasizes the apparel for special ritual occasions or theater performance work as opposed to regular fashion apparel.

Overall, the festival is truly enjoyable and worth the time since it highlights various activities, promotes tourism, and fosters indigenous loom-weaving and textiles.

References:

Guquib, E. (2012). Viva Vigan. Retrieved April 28, 2022. https://www.edmaration.com/2012/05/viva-vigan-festival-binatbatan-street.html

Vigan PH. Viva Vigan Festival of the Arts. Retrieved April 28, 2022. https://www.vigan.ph/attractions/viva-vigan-festival-of-the-arts.html

Passoc Project. Binatbatan: Playful Beats. Retrieved April 28, 2022. https://passocproject.com/binatbatan-playful-beats/

Baldres, N. (2016). Binatbatan Festival. Retrieved April 28, 2022. https://www.slideshare.net/nerzbaldres/binatbatan-festival

Wikipedia. World Costume Festival. Retrieved April 28, 2022. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Costume_Festival

       The photos are Retrieved on April 28, 2022:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterbug_gianne/14264345843/in/photostream/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/shutterbug_gianne/14221210326/in/photostream/

https://live.staticflickr.com/2928/14057764277_e03fe2d80f_k.jpg

https://www.flickriver.com/photos/edison2010/14114827015/#large