Tuesday, November 27, 2018

‘Higantes’ to conquer Ati-Atihan anew



BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL

The provincial government of Aklan through the Aklan Provincial Tourism Office is inviting all municipalities in the province to join the 2019 Higante Contest, one of the must-see events in Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival.

The theme “Showcase of LGU Festival” will focus on the festival of the participating municipalities.

The Ati-Atihan Festivals of Kalibo, Malinao, Ibajay, Batan, Altavas, and Makato,  Banga Saguibin Festival, Malay Fiesta de Obreros, Nabas Bariw Festival, Bugna it Tangalan, Numancia Lechon Parade, New Washington Pacto de Sangre, Lezo Bayangan Festival, Enchanting Balete, Buruanga Panagat Festival, Libacao Kaliugyon Festival and Tinuom ni Aewag Festival in Madalag are expected to join the contest.

The official parade of Higantes, each uniquely designed by several local artists, will start at 1 p.m. on January 17 from Mabini Street to Kalibo Pastrana Park, alongside a huge number of government employees and officials who will be joining the street dancing. 

Each participating municipality will get a subsidy of P30,000 for their larger-than-life figures. The champion will receive P45,000, second placer to take home P40,000 and third placer will get P35,000. 

The 4th placer will receive P30,000 and 5th placer, P25,000. Consolation prize of P15,000 each will be given to non-winning entries.

The participants will be judged based on artistry of the figure and design, creativity, relevance to the theme, audience impact and appeal.

In 2018 festival for instance, these giant figures were clad in traditional and colourful papier mache and assembled bamboo sticks in the form of Uray Hilway of Nabas,  Felimon Mananagat of New Washington, Matugahong Ati of Balete, Enteng Mamumunit of Tangalan and Ati Magdadaet of Banga paraded down Kalibo’s streets. 

Past parades of Higante contest also had versions of Nars nga Ati of Tangalan, Datu Manduyog ang Musikero of Banga, Model nga Ati of Kalibo, Politiko nga Ati of Nabas, Princess Merida of Malinao, Red Riding Hood of Altavas and Tatagnong Ati of Numancia.

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