Viva Vigan

       Festivals have been a part of our traditions where we celebrate for something or someone to show honor and appreciation towards our culture. We can proudly show our very culture to the world through festivals and it also deepens and strengthens the solidarity and bonds of the citizens. As a city known for tavern of culture and heritage, Vigan City celebrates one of its most important festival, the Binatbatan Festival.

       Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts is to celebrate the Abel Iloco hand-loom weaving that saved the citizens industry before. Binatbatan is the process of beating cotton pods to remove the seeds. Abel Iloco is a hand crafted clothing known here in the province of Ilocos. It is celebrated during the last week of April until the first week of May and it is an awaited and special festival for the Biguennos. The festival is celebrated tru street dance and marching parades, a truly fun and joy festival. It is the Biguennos way to proudly show their cultures and traditions by displaying beautiful handmade arts and crafts. It also shows the strong bonds and solidarity of the citizens to spread positivity and happiness and also to preserve the culture and traditions which is the true essence of festivals. Festivals will never be complete without the noises and sounds of people and instruments expressing happiness and completeness.

       Binatbatan Festival started way back May 3, 1983 where people where alarmed by the epedemic causing over thousand of deaths so they consulted Dr. Evaristo Abaya, parish priest of Santo Milagro of Sinait. They conducted novenas and while they are proceeding, the epidemic slowly halt until it completely stopped. Until now the residents  still commemorates and celebrates the miracle that happened way back before.

       Each festival have it own cause, a reason it is celebrated. It is not just celebrated to have fun but to remind us to honor and commemorate our traditions and culture. Right now that we are facing a pandemic, let’s not lose hope and faith just like the residents that faced the epidemic before. No matter what happens never lose faith to God and just keep on praying and believing, these problems we are facing are to challenge, test, and strengthen more our faith towards God. We should learn from the origin of the Binatbatan Festival that no matter how hard the situation is, just keep on praying and believing towards the Almighty God. This festival reminds us that challenges and problems can be overcomed, that nothing is impossible with the help and guidance of Jesus Christ. 

Photo credits:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/blrapadas/5841713238

https://barangaysofvigan.info/binatbatan-festival-of-the-arts/