A Tapestry of Arts: Molded in Tradition

As per tradition, the Binatbatan festival is coming back to Vigan City, the binatbatan festival is when the community comes together to celebrate our tradition and culture. Festivals gives fun and spreads positivity! Vigan has a rich cultural heritage as well as a thriving artistic scene. Binatbatan festival is actually celebrated to promote a local cloth called “Abel Iloko”.

Binatbatan Festival has its origins in Vigan's abel weaving business, which existed long before the Spaniards arrived to colonize the Philippines. It derives from the word batbat, which refers to a pair of bamboo sticks used to remove cotton pods from a tall tree called kapas sanglay. In Ilocano, the word "kapas" (from kapas sanglay) signifies "cotton."

In Vigan’s history there was once an epidemic that killed hundreds of residents in a  month, The 'naturales' and'mestizos' urged Dr. Evaristo Abaya, the parish priest at the time, to request that the Santo Cristo Milagroso of Sinait town visit Vigan. Following that, the people ushered in a novena. The contagion ceased on the ninth day. Since then, the naturales of Vigan have chosen the third of May as a day of thanksgiving for Santo Cristo, whom they refer to as "Apo Lakay." This festival is a way to commemorate the “Tres de Mayo” Which Vigan choose as the day of thanksgiving. A prayer that saved thousands of lives.

Binatbatan is the process beating the cotton pods to remove the seeds for Abel weaving which has been incorporated into a dance which is usually performed in the streets of Vigan called “Street Dancing”  there are a lot fun activities to do during the Binatbatan festival, the streets are also usually lined with Abel Iloko, this festival is an important part of Vigan’s culture as it celebrates and promotes one of the industries Vigan is proud of.

“[Vigan] ► Binatbatan Festival: A Festival Of Cottons And Fabric” retrieved April 20, 2022 https://www.edmaration.com/2012/05/viva-vigan-festival-binatbatan-street.html

“Abel Iloco – A Reflection Of Perseverance In Ilocos Weaving” retrieved April 20, 2022

https://www.camella.com.ph/abel-iloco-a-reflection-of-perseverance-in-ilocos-weaving/

“Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts” retrieved April 20, 2022

https://generosepomelo.com/2019/05/05/viva-vigan-binatbatan-festival-of-the-arts/

“Binatbatan Festival of the Arts 2019” retrieved April 20, 2022