Kalibo Food Festival @ Magsaysay Park kicks off June 19
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL / Manila Bulletin

KALIBO, Aklan - If you're a gourmet enthusiast or you just love to hear the sounds of the hottest rock and alternative bands, this mid-year festival is a must-see for you.

The 2009 Kalibo Food Festival @ Magsaysay Park opened its five-day event featuring the signature menus catered by 24 restaurants while you listen to live music entertainment from June 19 to 23.

Organized by the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Tourism Council (KATC) and the local government of Kalibo headed by Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, the festival is Kalibo’s other tourist attraction (the other is the famous Ati-atihan Festival) to coincide with the feast day of the town’s patron saint, St. John the Baptist, on June 24.

Set in a barrio fiesta theme, the vibrant food culture of this capital town takes centerstage with a thanksgiving mass at the St. John the Baptist Cathedral and a motorcade to highlight the grand opening at the Kalibo Magsaysay Park .
The food festival began in 1996 at Kalibo’s S. Martelino Street fronting the historic Kalibo Pastrana Park . Through the years, it has become a tourism come-on of the town, aside from the annual Señor Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival every third week of January.
Last year, KATC cancelled the 13th year Kalibo Food Festival sa Kalye after super typhoon ' Frank' devastated the province of Aklan with mudflood and torrential rains on June 21, 2008.

The KATC members participating in the food fest are Seafront Bread Shop, Hernanis Mix 'n Match, Mezzanine Cafe Bar and Restaurant, Kusina sa Kalibo, Green Onions, Helen's Cake Gallery, Kitty's Kitchen, Daks Roast and Ribs @ La Esperanza Hotel, Garcia Legaspi Mansion, Adee's Catering Services (Oro Grill), Richard & Benjie Unlimited, Trims Food Products, BBQ Republic, Ramboy's Lechonan and Restaurant, Tokanz LaPaz Batchoy, Joys Food Stuff, Seafood Lovers, Nino's Ihaw Ihaw, Michsus Food Treats, Bakhawan Inn, U.E.P. Entertainment Promotion, Judith's Pension and Ting-Ting's Catering Services.
This year, the fest for food lovers features participating bands from Aklan and Iloilo – Cross Over, Boracay Republic, Katukamos, Tribo Ambo, Simple Play, Numbers, Sacrament, Hyper Jam, N.Y.P.P., Where's Charlies, Nickvans, Smokez ‘n Coffee, Por Nada, Totong Villaruz, Broad Band, Aya and Yul Love Team, Michael Regalado and Sunny Aliling Band.