Binatbatan Festival of the Arts Revive the Confidence of Ilocanos

            Vigan City’s impressive architecture matches its people. Local artists thrive in keeping the city vibrant thru the Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts. Binatbatan is the process of beating cotton pods to remove the seeds for Abel weaving which locals interpreted as an occupational dance with the use of two sticks called “batbat”. Binatbatan street dance is one of the main attractions during the celebration. Binatbatan Festival was introduced in 2002 to commemorate the Abel Iloco hand-loom weaving industry. It is celebrated yearly from the last week of April to the first week of May.

Binatbatan Festival depicts the rich culture of Vigan and old industries like the abel weaving industry. It features a street dancing and showdown competition wherein the participants use “abel” ( woven cloth) costumes and sway in their original panagbatbat dances. This year is the 2nd year of celebration of Binatbatan Festival after the numerous lockdowns due to the Covid-19 pandemic. After all the health protocols imposed by the government, Vigan City was able to overcome these uncertainties and pursued to celebrate Binatbatan Festival. It’s a way to regain the losses due to the pandemic. It’s a motivation to revive the confidence of Ilocanos after the devastating pandemic. It’s an inspiration to embrace the new normal and to be always resilient to face whatever adversity that comes. This year, the Festival will be held from April 29 to May 6. There will be Food and Trade Fair, Abel Iloco Fashion Show, Carabao Painting and Pasagad Dressing, Boklan Art and the Mosaic Competition along with Nueva Segovia, and Skate Board Competition in Vigan Convention Center Parking Grounds. There will be also the wreath-laying for Don Isabelo de Los Reyes in Leona Florentino House, On the Spot Photography Contest, Vigan Dance Festival, Kalesa Parade and Competition, Bankathon, and Rakit Race in Mindoro Beach, and many more. On the last day, there will be the most popular and significant Binatbatan Street Dancing Competition. This contest honors the Abel iloco, a traditional craft of Vigan that has sustained its economy from the Pre Spanish Period to the Present. These activities during the Festival attract tourists from other places to come and join the celebration. They become part of the street dancing and revelries. Participants use costumes and props that were all innovative and artistic. The festival motivates the participants to show their skills and abilities and also a glimpse of the past. It develops friendship and teamwork. Binatbatan Festival encourages native-loom weaving fabrics. Abel products are showcased during the festival. Many weavers still try their best to keep the craft alive and continue to produce more Inabel textiles.

Let us participate in the Binatbatan Festival of the Arts. It’s our way to promote and preserve the Vigan’s Abel Iloco craft which is one of the strongest living treasures of Ilocanos. Let us patronize our products to enrich our local economy. Let us show to others our cultures and traditions. Let us hold hand in hand to revive and demonstrate the confidence of Ilocanos despite the adversities. Let us stand strong amidst the pandemic. Viva Vigan!

Reference/s:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/blrapadas/4570838099

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_Costume_Festival

https://www.vigattintourism.com/tourism/articles/Viva-Vigan-Binatbatan-Festival-of-the-Arts-2012