Kalibo Day on November 3

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - The capital town of Kalibo is celebrating its founding day anniversary on November 3.

Kalibo started to commemorate its founding day during the administration of Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, who signed Municipal Ordinance No. 2005-049 declaring November 3, 1571 as the town's Foundation day and instituting Kalibo Day celebration every November 3.

The occasion was based on the research output of Professor John Barrios “Calivo: The Founding of a Town,” on this day in 1571, it appeared in the notarized Spanish document dated June 2, 1576 as the first written date relating to the Spanish colonial administration in Aclan/Calivo under the encomienda system instituted by the first Governor and Captain - General Miguel Lopez de Legazpi.

Every year since 2005, the town of Kalibo known for its Ati-Atihan festival, marks the foundation day with series of activities. Although, this is a special day for Kalibonhons, November 3 is a regular working day for workers in government and private offices.
Under the new administration of Kalibo mayor William Lachica, the 6th founding day starts with a thanksgiving mass at 3 p.m. at the Kalibo Magsaysay Park followed by a tribute ceremony to former Sangguniang Bayan members and awarding of the Most Outstanding Barangay Nutrition Committee and Barangay Nutrition Scholar.
Other activities are the 2010 Search for Mr. and Ms. Sportsfest and awarding of winners of the weeklong Kalibo town employees sportsfest.