Preparations full blast for Kalibo Ati-Atihan

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

Ati-Atihan festival organizer goes full blast in its preparations for the 2019 Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan festival. 

PHOTO BOY RYAN ZABAL

Festival chairman Albert Menez said the  celebration will start on January 11 until January 20, the third Sunday of January for the Feast of Senor Sto. Niño de Kalibo. 

Still over five months away, the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi) is preparing for the biggest and colourful Ati-Atihan next year.

“Volunteers never stop working and planning for Ati-Atihan in collaboration with stakeholders, all this for a festival that celebrates the vibrancy, faith and culture. We are in no doubt this popular festival once again be a great success,” Menez stressed. 

Big events scheduled for Ati-Atihan 2019 are Kaean-an sa Plasa, Ati-Atihan Street Bazaar, Hala Bira Ati-Atihan Nights, Aklan Higante Contest, Traffic Jam and Bikers Rally, Sinaot sa Calle and Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan pageant. 

Expected to draw thousands of festivalgoers is the much-awaited Sadsad Ati-Atihan, a street dancing contest of tribal big, small, Balik-Ati and modern Ati-Atihan tribes and groups during the Bisperas it Kapistahan ni Senor Sto. Niño.

Other certified crowd-drawers in past Ati-Atihan celebration include Ati-Atihan Float Parade, Battle of Mini Sounds, Todo Hataw, Kalibo Spectrum Invasion, Aklan Visual Arts Exhibit, Aklan Products Showcase and Ati-Atihan Futsal Cup. 

Major religious activities are Paeapak, Pilgrims Mass, Pagbisita ni Sto. Niño sa Baryo, Procession-Sto. Niño de Kalibo, Hornada, Blessing of children, transfer of Sto. Niño de Kalibo image, dawn penitential procession, opening and closing liturgical celebrations. 

Ati-Atihan in Kalibo is regarded as the “Mother of All Philippine Festivals” and one of Top 300 world’s best festivals.