WOVEN BY A MIRACLE

    Our identity is woven by the cultures and history of our ancestors. As Bigueños, our identity is connected to our ancestors and their artistry. The Binatbatan Festival Of The Arts, a week-long festival, celebrates the artistry of the Bigueño people, mainly the Abel Iloco Craft. It celebrates the culture and religious traditions of Vigan and its residents. The festival itself is like weaving a tapestry that shows the story and rich past of Vigan. 

    The festival happens from the last week of April to the first week of May. It contains religious and artistic activities and events such as Carabao Painting and Fiesta Procession. These activities reflect the history of Vigan. Although the Covid-19 pandemic has had a significant change in how these events are held, the traditions of the Bigueno people were still strong, despite the challenges that were faced. This year’s Binatbanatan Festival was the second year it was celebrated coinciding with precautions that are brought by the pandemic. Although some are not the same as it was, the beauty of the festival was still there. The streets of Vigan were still painted with vivid colors and the cheers of the people were still as jolly as the years when the virus wasn’t present. 

    This year’s festival truly felt like it was woven by a miracle. Despite the challenges brought to us by the pandemic, the happiness that was cut short, and the moments that were taken away from us, we still got to experience the beauty of the Binatbatan Festival, the beauty of our culture; the beauty of Vigan.

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