Binatbatan Festival 2021

        "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.

        The Binatbatan Festival has always been a continuous celebration with varied events that draw a large number of tourists and residents. The event celebrates the culture and gives a lot of energy to the city, as well as the province as a whole. Last year, however, the traditional celebration was hampered by the quickly spreading epidemic. Due to the possibility of the virus spreading among the people, events were canceled and the celebration was diluted. In the middle of the pandemic, the Binatbatan Festival is celebrating its second year. Various efforts were taken to ensure the festival's success. Online streaming services like Facebook and Youtube were used to broadcast events like the Binatbatan street dance. Other events were canceled, and public gatherings were kept to a bare minimum to prevent the spread of the virus. 

        Even though we are amid a pandemic, the officials of Vigan City did not forget to celebrate the event and found a way to do so healthily and safely.

References:

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

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