Hazel Ann

     The Binatbatan Festival here in Vigan City was started in year 2002. This festival is connected to Vigan’s abel Iloco craft. It comes from the word batbat, a pair of bamboo stick used to separate cotton pods that come from a tall tree called kapas sanglay. Kapas sanglay tree bears fruits that dries up at the branches of the tree itself then just falls off after the fruit splits by itself exposing the seed-filled cottons inside. The playful movements of this dance were created for specifically for children and represent the actions of cotton farmers as they separate the seeds from the fibers using sticks. This is to showcase this traditional weaving craft that is said to predate the arrival of the Spaniards. Viva Vigan Binatbatan Festival of the Arts is celebrated yearly from the last week of April to the first week of May. The catholic faithful also remembers on this day St. Joseph, patron saint of workers. The first-day commemoration is followed by the Binatbatan Fe...