Sandugo: prelude to a more
exciting Ati-Atihan Festival

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan –- Events Director Albert Meñez said the participation of the winning Ati tribes to the Sandugo Festival in Bohol yesterday was a prelude to the world-famous Kalibo Ati-Atihan Señor Sto. Niño Festival next year.

"We should not rest in promoting the ‘Mother of All Festivals’ slated on January 15 to 21, 2007. The tourism aspect and the media mileage of our participation to the Sandugo event in Tagbilaran, Bohol was an advantage to attract more visitors and travelers,"” he added.

The Sandugo Street Dancing last July 23, 2006 featured a “Showdown of Champions” or winning tribes from various festivals in the country: Kalibo, Aklan (Ati-atihan Festival), Mandaue City (Mantawi Festival), Bacolod City (MassKara Festival), Iloilo City (Dinagyang Festival), Tangub City (Sinanduloy Festival), Jimalalud, Negros Oriental (Hambabalud Festival) and Cebu City (Basakanon Festival).

The Sandugo Festival celebrates the signing of a treaty of friendship between the Spanish General Miguel Lopez de Legaspi and Datu Sikatuna in Bohol on March of 1565.

"We should effectively bring in tourists and visitors to Aklan to maintain our position as a major tourism hub of the country. This could be done by selling the religious Ati-Atihan Festival not only nationwide but also in the international market,"” Menez stressed.

The participation of Kalibo to the Sandugo, he said, would entice both local and foreign tourists to visit Aklan next year. This early, the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Management Board (KAMB) is formulating plans to market the Ati-Atihan Festival to other regions in the country, including the award-winning Manggad it Kalibo.