Kasafi appoints 2012 Ati-Atihan festival committee heads
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

In an effort to streamline the operations of Kasafi, this early, the festival organizer appointed the chairpersons of various Ati-Atihan committees. Volunteers attended the meeting at the Kasafi office to discuss the organizational structure and plans for the forthcoming Ati-Atihan festivities / PHOTO BY RAMEL BUNCALAN/Aklan Photographic Society

KALIBO, Aklan – Festival organizer Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi) has organized its committees’ leadership to oversee the 2012 Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival in January.Kasafi members, who worked closely during the 2011 Ati-Atihan festival, retained most of the chairmanship of the committees for next year’s festivities.

“Kasafi relies on the strength of volunteers who will have to spend hours to plan the 2012 Ati-Atihan events. These committees will also facilitate the implementation, coordination, and supervision of various activities to ensure the success of the festival,” said Kasafi chairman Albert Menez in a four-hour meeting on Sunday afternoon at Kasafi office.

Menez said the 2012 Ati-Atihan festival in honor of Senor Sto. Nino is packed with events, featured performers, more tribal Ati groups and new festival concepts.

KEY COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Among the key committees and chairpersons are finance, prizes and awards (Rufino Leyson), marketing and promotions (Lilibeth Goboy), souvenir program (Marcela Tinagan), documentation and photo contest (Ramel Buncalan), peace and order (Augusto Tolentino), Magsaysay stalls (Jemina Trinidad), spiritual (Prescy Magallanes), group participation (Dennis Dalida), Hala Bira Ati-Atihan nights and flea market (Efren Trinidad), publicity and media affairs (Boy Ryan Zabal), festival events and Magsaysay concepts and design (Albert Menez), Kaean-an sa Plaza (Kalibo AtiAtihan Tourism Council) and infrastructure and physical facilities (Edison Lao).
Other festival committees are decoration and sanitation (Joselito Motus), tourist and public welfare services (Judith Malapit), higante parade (Roselle Ruiz), Ati-Atihan contest and adjudication (Mary Ann Lopez), search for Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan (Albert Menez), ways and means (Mila Balleza), exhibits and trade enterprises (Anna India Legaspi/Amelia Rentillo), parada - schools and Deped (Victorina Laroza), Day of the Drums (Dennis Dalida and Joselito Motus) and social and cultural (Antonio Li).

Menez said the festival is managed by volunteers in partnership with the local government of Kalibo thru Mayor William Lachica and Vice Mayor Madeleine Regalado.

“This festival is also possible with the continuing support of the Aklanons, sponsors and individuals who work endless hours to make this event a success,” he stressed.