Ati-Atihan organizer declares Tamboe Sadsad a success

BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The festival organizer had considered the sneak preview of 2019 Ati-Atihan celebration in Kalibo or Tamboe Sadsad salvo a success.

The opening salvo on October 26 was a resounding success, thanks to Senor Sto. Nino de Kalibo, and the stakeholders and volunteers who made this year’s event happen, said Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi) chairman Albert Menez. 

Menez stressed these volunteers gave their energy, time and spirit to face the impossible task of managing around 64 Ati-Atihan tribes and groups for the opening salvo.

“It was a huge success, the good weather attracted more than 5,000 spectators and participants,” he added. 

Security for the sought-after Tamboe Sadsad  also deployed close to 200 uniformed personnel from Aklan Police Provincial Office, Kalibo police municipal station and the Philippine Army.

Emergency responder teams from the Bureau of Fire Protection-Kalibo, Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office-Kalibo and Saint Gabriel College EMS also assisted the security teams.

No major crime incidents were also reported during the Tamboe Sadsad celebration, said Kalibo chief of police Superintendent Richard Mepania.

During the opening salvo, GMA Kapuso actress Katrina Halili and Dice Villabroza of Eat Bulaga That’s my Babe entertained their fans at Kalibo Pastrana Park.

Kalibo mayor William Lachica, Sangguniang Panlalawigan member Harry Sucgang and the Kalibo Sangguniang Bayan members also witnessed the signing of Kasafi of Memorandum of Agreements with Philippine Airlines and GMA Regional TV Network.

Menez said the 2019 Ati-Atihan festival which will be celebrated on January 11 to 20 could be the ‘last hurrah’ of Kasafi in managing the renowned celebration.

Kasafi managed the Kalibo festival in honor of Senor to. Nino de Kalibo since 2010, bringing  better innovations, strong involvement of the private sector and transparency in the management and operations of the festival.