An Ethnochoreological Study on the Role of the Empanada Festival Dance in Preserving the Local Identity of the Bataquenos of Batac, Ilocos Norte

This manuscript offers a comprehensive ethnographic study of the Empanada Festival dance in Batac, Ilocos Norte, providing a crucial record of local traditions and movements at risk of being lost due to modernization. The research involved 11 purposively selected participants, including festival dancers, choreographers, elders, cultural practitioners, and local historians—representing both genders and a wide age range—to ensure a diversity of perspectives across generations. Data were gathered in May 2025 through semi-structured interviews developed in consultation with Dr. Jasper Rabago of Mariano Marcos State University. By including voices from multiple sectors, the paper promotes inclusive and community-based research methods that empower indigenous narratives and local knowledge systems. Respondents emphasized the dance’s significance in reflecting daily life, courtship, unity, and Ilocano pride. The findings contribute to global discourses on safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, aligning with UNESCO’s advocacy on preserving cultural practices by showcasing how traditional dance functions as both a repository and a living expression of identity.