BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan – The local government of Kalibo has taken measures to guard tourists and devotees of Señor Sto. Niño during the Ati-Atihan Festival on January 15-21, 2007.
Mayor Raymar Rebaldo said the Philippine National Police (PNP) would deploy 150 policemen from the Regional Mobile Group (RMG) in Iloilo City and personnel from the Philippine Army to augment the police force of Aklan.
The additional security forces would ensure the success of the week-long festival that attracts tens of thousands of local and international devotees and balikbayans to Aklan every year, Rebaldo said.
The Ati-Atihan, now on its 795th year, highlights the purchase of Panay Island by Bornean settlers in the 13th century in a colorful and wildest fiesta in honor of Señor Sto. Niño.
Sangguniang Bayan member Gregorio Malapad said the world-renowned festival will have an extensive coverage and promotion by Living Asia Channel and the local Philippine TV networks this January.
“The festival lures thousands of foreign and local tourists – watching the street dancing of participating tribes. (But) let’s preserve the Ati-Atihan's spiritual aspect thorough thanksgiving to our Señor Sto. Niño,” he pointed out.
Rebaldo said the security for the festivities would be tight with the visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Cebu City on January 11-15, 2006.
This January 2007, Rebaldo added, there will be street dancing to be participated in by 40 tribes, Ati-Atihan Nights at Kalibo Magsaysay Park, the traditional nine-day novena at the St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Kaean-an sa Plasa and Ati-Atihan Product Showcase.
Mayor Raymar Rebaldo said the Philippine National Police (PNP) would deploy 150 policemen from the Regional Mobile Group (RMG) in Iloilo City and personnel from the Philippine Army to augment the police force of Aklan.
The additional security forces would ensure the success of the week-long festival that attracts tens of thousands of local and international devotees and balikbayans to Aklan every year, Rebaldo said.
The Ati-Atihan, now on its 795th year, highlights the purchase of Panay Island by Bornean settlers in the 13th century in a colorful and wildest fiesta in honor of Señor Sto. Niño.
Sangguniang Bayan member Gregorio Malapad said the world-renowned festival will have an extensive coverage and promotion by Living Asia Channel and the local Philippine TV networks this January.
“The festival lures thousands of foreign and local tourists – watching the street dancing of participating tribes. (But) let’s preserve the Ati-Atihan's spiritual aspect thorough thanksgiving to our Señor Sto. Niño,” he pointed out.
Rebaldo said the security for the festivities would be tight with the visit of President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo after the 12th Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) Summit in Cebu City on January 11-15, 2006.
This January 2007, Rebaldo added, there will be street dancing to be participated in by 40 tribes, Ati-Atihan Nights at Kalibo Magsaysay Park, the traditional nine-day novena at the St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Kaean-an sa Plasa and Ati-Atihan Product Showcase.
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