Kalibo Ati-Atihan tribes join Kasadyahan regional showcase

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Three of Kalibo's best Ati-Atihan tribes will represent the Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Festival in the regional Kasadyahan cultural showcase on January 25 in Iloilo City.

Some 150 tribe members from this year's grand champion Black Beauty Boys and runner-up Kabog of the tribal big category and modern group champion Scorpio 11-19 are joining the festivities. 

Albert Menez, chairman of Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi), said the Kalibo festival recognized as "The Mother of All Philippine Festivals" was invited by the Department of Tourism (DoT) and the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation, Inc. to showcase the spirited, simple choreography yet unique street dancing of tribes in Kasadyahan.

Aside from the famous Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan festival of Aklan,  eleven other festivals and groups from Antique, Capiz, Iloilo, Negros Occidental and Guimaras will highlight their festivals in Kasadyahan, said Dr. Eden Deriada, chairperson of Kasadyahan 2014.  

Roxas City will feature Sinadya sa Halaran, Manggahan Festival of Guimaras, Bacolod City of Masskara Festival and the Saad Festival of the town of Leganes in Iloilo will also banner the Kasadyahan event.  

Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School, Tribu Lacsonian of John B. Lacson Foundation Maritime University, Hugyaw of St. Therese MTC Colleges Iloilo City and Tribu Panublion of Professional Electronics Institute, Inc. also represent Iloilo City's Dinagyang Festival.

Busilak Pinta Flores of San Carlos City and Tribu Hugyaw Kansilay of Silay City, all from Negros Occidental and the Tribu Banigan of Libertad, Antique are joining the Kasadyahan.  

Deriada said there will be street dancing and performing areas designated for the regional showcase of festivals.

Kasadyahan is a cultural dance parade and contest held on a Saturday before the Ati competition of the Dinagyang Festival.

It is participated in by the municipalities and local government units and schools in the city and province of Iloilo and Western Visayas region. 

Kasadyahan has become a major cultural Ati-based performances, it focuses on celebrating the goodness of the Creator for the bounties given the Ilonggos, Negrenses, Aklanons, Guimarasnons, Capiznons and the Antiquinos.

For the first time, Kasadyahan is presenting the showcase of Festivals in Western Visayas due to public demand and economic instability in some affected areas caused by Typhoon Yolanda through a grand dancing parade filled with color and grace.