Fil-Am community to stage Ati-Atihan fest in California
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan - On January 6, 2007, the Filipino American community in California, USA will be staging its own version of the Ati-Atihan festival to showcase the rich cultural and religious tradition of Aklan.
It will be the 16th Annual Ati-Atihan Fiesta and Dance.
According to Sarah Tonel Enloe, the Aklan Association of Sacramento and Vicinity, Inc. will hold the famous yearly festival at the Jose Rizal Community Center , 7230 Florin Mall Drive in Sacramento , California .
"This event (Ati-Atihan festival) is a legacy of leadership that could be transferred from the first generation immigrants to a community of second and third generations of Filipino," Tonel added.
A 6 p.m. holy mass, raffle draw, procession of the Sto. Niño statues and Ati-Atihan parade and the traditional dancing of members and families of the Aklan Association of Sacramento and Vicinity highlight the yearly event.
Annually, the festival is truly significant because it brings together the sons and daughters of Aklan from Sacramento and Vicinity to celebrate a common history and affirm their identity as a people. It is also an occasion to share this heritage with younger generation and therefore help promote Philippine culture in California.
According to Sarah Tonel Enloe, the Aklan Association of Sacramento and Vicinity, Inc. will hold the famous yearly festival at the Jose Rizal Community Center , 7230 Florin Mall Drive in Sacramento , California .
"This event (Ati-Atihan festival) is a legacy of leadership that could be transferred from the first generation immigrants to a community of second and third generations of Filipino," Tonel added.
A 6 p.m. holy mass, raffle draw, procession of the Sto. Niño statues and Ati-Atihan parade and the traditional dancing of members and families of the Aklan Association of Sacramento and Vicinity highlight the yearly event.
Annually, the festival is truly significant because it brings together the sons and daughters of Aklan from Sacramento and Vicinity to celebrate a common history and affirm their identity as a people. It is also an occasion to share this heritage with younger generation and therefore help promote Philippine culture in California.
Tonel said the funds raised by the Aklan Association events are donated to the Missionaries of Charity in New Washington, Aklan to support children and sick adults that needed medical attention, foods and clothes.
"The event is scheduled much early this year compared to last year to give Aklanons abroad a chance to witness the street dancing and the spiritual celebration in the town of Kalibo should decide to come home," she added.
On January 15-21, the town of Kalibo celebrates the most colorful and internationally known Ati Atihan, which will culminate on the third Sunday, the feast day of Sto Niño, with extensive coverage from Philippine and international TV networks, local and international newspapers. The Aklan Association of Sacramento and Vicinity was lauded for its active involvement in building a bridge of understanding and in strengthening the linkages among the Filipino American community in Sacramento.
"The event is scheduled much early this year compared to last year to give Aklanons abroad a chance to witness the street dancing and the spiritual celebration in the town of Kalibo should decide to come home," she added.
On January 15-21, the town of Kalibo celebrates the most colorful and internationally known Ati Atihan, which will culminate on the third Sunday, the feast day of Sto Niño, with extensive coverage from Philippine and international TV networks, local and international newspapers. The Aklan Association of Sacramento and Vicinity was lauded for its active involvement in building a bridge of understanding and in strengthening the linkages among the Filipino American community in Sacramento.
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