Ati-Atihan tribes gear up for 2016 festival

With just over four months to go to 2016 Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan festival, participating tribes and groups gathered for their first monthly meeting on August 15 in Kalibo, Aklan.

 

                                                                            PHOTO BY TOTO LAO

Festival organizer Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi) through its tribe/group/individual participation committee convened the Balik Ati, tribal big, tribal small and modern groups to talk about the Ati-Atihan preparations.

The Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan festival, widely known as “The Mother of All Philippine Festivals” is celebrated in honor of Senor Sto. Niño de Kalibo from January 8 to 17, 2016. The street dancing contest, one of the highlights of the Ati-Atihan celebration, is scheduled on January 16, 2016. 

During the meeting, Kasafi volunteer Boy Ryan Zabal discussed to the Ati-Atihan tribe and group leaders the schedule of activities, opening Ati-Atihan salvo on October 23, tribe subsidies and prizes, contest assembly and route, security concerns, participation of tribes in religious activities and how to join the street dancing contest.

Tribes  and groups present in the meeting are Black Beauty Boys, Tribu Bukid Tigayon, Kabog,  Malipayong Ati, Maninikup, Anono-o Tribu, D’ Kamanggahan Tribe, Lilo-anong Ati, Tribu Ilanyanhon, Emagine, Dos Mil Dose, Road Side, Anthony’s Angel Eyes and Lezo Tribe. 

The Ati-Atihan committee is expecting more tribes and groups to attend the next monthly meeting on September 19 and on October 17 at KASAFI office.  Twenty-eight Ati-Atihan tribes and groups from Kalibo, Makato, Lezo, Malinao and Banga joined the 2015 Ati-Atihan street dancing contest.