This blanket features the binakol or binakul textile design, commonly woven in Abra and Ilocos. BinakoI can mean “made spherical” (Pastor-Roces, 1991, p.77) or “twill,” describing the shape and appearance of the motif or design, but it can also refer to a type of Ilocano inabel textile. Although binakol textiles are created using the plain weave technique, they stand out among plain woven textiles due to the intricate techniques used and the distinctiveness of the produced textile itself. Weaving the binakol requires specific techniques using two-colored weft yarns that are typically black and white, green and white, blue and white, and sometimes red and white (Respicio, 2015). The geometric patterns created have an illusionary effect and are often seen as psychedelic optical illusions. These designs are intentionally woven to confuse or repel and distract evil spirits (Salvador-Amores, 2019).

The specific design of this textile in the collection is composed of multiple whirlpool/whirlwind motifs, locally known as kusikus/alipugpug. Kusikus or alipugpug has references to the wind god who needs appeasing from the Itneg. Textiles with this design are seen on blankets and shawls, and are used as a form of protection when worn or hung (Respicio, 2014). Furthermore, frog motifs, called sinan-tokak, were embroidered near the textile borders. The textile borders were hand-stitched with red threads, while the panels were joined by red and white simple stitches.