Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival preparations in full swingBY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan – The preparations for the 2011 Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival, which is just three months away, are moving full steam.
As early as this year, a private sector-led Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. or popularly known as Kasafi was organized primarily to promote and spearhead the annual Kalibo festival.
Albert Meñez, chairman of Kasafi, said preparations for festivities from January 10 to 16, 2011 are in the works for Kasafi members and volunteers over the past couple of months.
“The provincial government and the local leaders got involved to ensure the success of the religious merry making and devotion to our patron saint,” Meñez stressed.
Rich with cultural heritage, Kalibo is synonymous for its centuries-old Ati-Atihan festival in honor of Señor Sto. Niño. Normally tourists are attracted by the creative and colorful costumes of tribal and modern groups as they danced to the beat of drums and lyres, shouting “Hala Bira, Puera Pasma, Viva kay Señor Sto. Niño.”
Here is what to expect in the Kalibo festival. The festival, held annually in January, kick-starts with the opening of Aklan Ati-Atihan Trade Fair and Garden Show at Kalibo Pastrana Park, Museo Exhibit at Museo it Akean and Search for Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2011 at Governor Augusto B. Legaspi Sports Complex on January 10, 2011.
The other events in the Kalibo festival include Day of the Drums competition at Kalibo Pastrana Park, Higante Parade and Contest and Aklan Festivals Showcase, Ati-Atihan Sadsad kay Señor Sto. Niño, Fireworks Display, Balikbayan and Ati-Atihan Nights at Kalibo Magsaysay Park.
The festival contest and judging for the Tribal Modern Groups, Individuals and Balik Ati will commence on January 14 to 15, 2011.
Souvenirs and products will be sold also in the flea market along Veterans Avenue and fast foods and culinary specialties from local restaurants can be found at the Kaean-an sa Plasa at the Kalibo Pastrana Park.
A concelebrated pilgrims’ mass on January 16, 2011 at the Kalibo Pastrana Park is the highlight of the weeklong traditional religious activities. The festival is also marked by merry street dancing ‘Sadsad’ of socio civic and religious groups, schools and colleges, private and government offices and the age-old ‘Paeapak’ at Saint John the Baptist Cathedral by devotees, visitors and locals, of all ages.
Here is what to expect in the Kalibo festival. The festival, held annually in January, kick-starts with the opening of Aklan Ati-Atihan Trade Fair and Garden Show at Kalibo Pastrana Park, Museo Exhibit at Museo it Akean and Search for Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2011 at Governor Augusto B. Legaspi Sports Complex on January 10, 2011.
The other events in the Kalibo festival include Day of the Drums competition at Kalibo Pastrana Park, Higante Parade and Contest and Aklan Festivals Showcase, Ati-Atihan Sadsad kay Señor Sto. Niño, Fireworks Display, Balikbayan and Ati-Atihan Nights at Kalibo Magsaysay Park.
The festival contest and judging for the Tribal Modern Groups, Individuals and Balik Ati will commence on January 14 to 15, 2011.
Souvenirs and products will be sold also in the flea market along Veterans Avenue and fast foods and culinary specialties from local restaurants can be found at the Kaean-an sa Plasa at the Kalibo Pastrana Park.
A concelebrated pilgrims’ mass on January 16, 2011 at the Kalibo Pastrana Park is the highlight of the weeklong traditional religious activities. The festival is also marked by merry street dancing ‘Sadsad’ of socio civic and religious groups, schools and colleges, private and government offices and the age-old ‘Paeapak’ at Saint John the Baptist Cathedral by devotees, visitors and locals, of all ages.
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