Binatbatan festival

 

                The streets were closed, people flocked in certain locations. Drums are beating loud and clear. Colorful costumes are being worn by the street dancers as they proudly proclaim "Viva Vigan!" Binatbatan festival has emerged to be one of the largest cultural gatherings up north the Philippine archipelago.

                ”Binatbatan” is the process of beating cotton pods to remove the seeds for Abel weaving. Which locals interpreted into an occupational dance with the use of two sticks called “batbat”. Binabatan Street dance is one of the main attractions during the week-long celebrations.

                Binatbatan was introduced in 2002 to be part of the festival to commemorate the Abel Iloco hand-loom weaving industry. A grand celebration of the town's cultural heritage takes place in the first week of May. There is street dancing, a fashion show, a kalesa parade and, of course, lots of food.

                The Binatbatan festival highlights the annual Viva Vigan Festival of Arts. Visitors, tourists and residents become part of the street dancing and revelries. Participants in the contest use costumes and props that were all innovative and artistic.

Pictures: 

1st: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6c/Dancers_in_the_street_of_Vigan_during_Binatbatan_Festival_of_the_Arts_2014-04-16_04-41.jpg

2nd: https://i.pinimg.com/originals/bf/72/83/bf72831b97a06c525228d0c8068e1126.jpg

3rd: https://www.hlimg.com/images/events/738X538/event_1538134798m1.jpg?w=480&dpr=2.6