Althea Oriel

Binatbatan Festival

Lucky enough to live in a historic place. A place of untold histories during the Spanish Era. A place to be proud of even generations to generations. “A place you call our own Ilocos Sur our beloved home.” As one of the 7 Wonders of the World, Vigan City celebrates it’s Binatbatan Festival of Arts every first week of May showcase the historic city’s artistic and cultural values. There are several activities highlights the celebrations including street dancing , Kalesa parade, fishing competition, abel/house décor contest, carabao paintng contest, traditional games and trade food fair where handicarafts and local delicacies are sold, such as the famous Vigan Longganisa and bagnet at affordable prices. Culminating the festival is the Binatbatan Street Dancing, which started infront of Vigan City Cathedral and ended along Crisologo Street where old houses were decorated with abel iloco. The term Binatbatan refers to teh first step of the weaving process wherein the cotton ball are separated from the seeds by beating them with the use of bamboo sticks. Costume and props where created with abel iloco and the choreography was inspired by the weaving process. As an honor to the farmer’s best friend after working hard in the fields everyday, Binatbatan Festival includes Carabao painting contest where the lumbering beasts of burden become living canvasses. This is the welcome break for these animals as a field’s hard worker. The paints used in the contest are non-toxic and water based so nothing to worry. So come and join us as we celebrate our Binatbatan Festival. Feel the excitement and feel the vibes of Ilocano hospitalization. Be there! Reference: https://images.app.goo.gl/iMqeBCw4yuWtSuR77