Festivals has always had a special place in the hearts of Filipinos. Amidst all problems that comes our way, we Filipinos always try to turn the tables to keep the festive time going. And just one of many festivals we celebrate, is the Binatbatan festival.
What is the Binatbatan festival? The Binatbatan festival is celebrated from the last week of April til the first week of May. How this festival came about was because of an epidemic that struck Vigan. Many residents died, thus alarming the residents. They venerated the Santo Cristo Milagroso with a nine-day novena which then led to the end of the epidemic. Many were thankful and ever since then, every Fridays and the third of May people attend masses set by the church of Simbaan A Bassit. The Binatbatan festival commemorates the historical value of the town, to preserve the heritage and as well as the value of Vigan over the years. The festival include Binatbatan Street Dancing, Calesa Parade, traditional games, religious rituals of the Black Nazarene, Abel fashion shows, exhibits, trade and food fairs, and other fun events. The Binatbatan festival was held different with COVID from back then. It may not be like it was before, yet we are still able to have fun and celebrate it during this time of the pandemic. This shows that the pandemic cannot beat the Filipinos.
Festivals are always present in one Filipino’s life and forever will it stay that way. Though the atmosphere of the Binatbatan festival may not be the same as the past still, we are able to make ends meet and enjoy the best of what we have. Whilst nurturing the historical value of Vigan, we too are able to do so ourselves. Nothing can ever beat the heart and pride of the not just the Binatbatan festivals, but to all festivals.
Reference: https://barangaysofvigan.info/binatbatan-festival-of-the-arts/
https://pia.gov.ph/features/articles/1021193
Image from: Google
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