Kasafi honors festival sponsors,
reports finances of Kalibo Ati-Atihan
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

KALIBO, Aklan - With just a little two weeks after the festival, the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi) will host a special cocktail party today to welcome and honor the festival sponsors.
Kasafi chairman Albert Menez said the foundation generated fund sponsorhips from the private sector, government agencies, individuals and ticket sales to finance the 2011 Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival held last January 10 to 16.

"We have had a very good year considering that the foundation started from nothing. It (Kasafi) practically started from scratch, armed with deep faith and great determination, we steer the foundation to success in its maiden year as festival organizer of Kalibo Ati-Atihan," he said.

In today's cocktail meeting and press conference, Kasafi will recognize and honor those who help support the foundation and generously working to promote the annual Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival.

For the very first time, Kasafi will also present the festival income and expenses, including financial donations and status of collections from corporate sponsors, individuals and companies, right after the festival.

Is the Kasafi on track to earn millions from the Ati-Atihan festivities?

Menez said that financial question will be answered during the open forum with the local media invited this afternoon at 4 p.m. whether there has been gain or loss in the operations of Kasafi.

He said the foundation is obliged to report the finances within 60 days or two months after the Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival as Kasafi's commitment with the local government of Kalibo and the public.

'Whatever money is left after the festival is used as seed money for the next celebration. But the operation of Kasafi is not limited to the January event alone. It has to become an all year round operation considering the participation of tribes in national events to promote the Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Festival," stated the profile of Kasafi in the 2011 Ati-Atihan souvenir program.

Many observers have noted that the continued collaboration of private-sector led Kasafi and the municipal government of Kalibo is the key part in ensuring the success of the festival.

Last year, Kalibo mayor William Lachica entered into a Memorandum of Agreement to grant Kasafi the privilege to manage and promote the famous Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival.

Though, the public-private partnership is not new, this is the first time in the history of Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival that is completely run by volunteers who receive no pay for their work.

And the rest is history.