BORACAY – The town of Balete in Aklan bested seven other entries for the “Higante Contest” of this year’s Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival.
Balete received the grand prize of P45,000 for its entry “Manaya nayang Ati” (Enchanting Ati).
It also won the title for three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017.
The Manaya-nayang Ati was dressed in a traditional Filipiniana costume embroidered with blooming flowers.
Meanwhile, the entry of Nabas, Aklan named “Inday Mambong” placed second with a prize of P40,000.
It was followed by Libacao, Aklan with its “Maria Obo-ob” in third place with a prize of P35,000; “Diwata nga Ati it Sidlangan” of Malinao, Aklan in 4th place (P30,000); and Ibajay, Aklan in 5th place (P25,000).
The entry “Ro Ibajaynong Ati” represented the people’s advocacy to preserve the enchanting natural beauty of Ibajay and the love for nature.
The towns of Kalibo, Numancia and Tangalan also joined the “Higante” competition.
The entries received subsidy worth P30,000 each from the provincial government.
The “Higantes” were judged based on their creativity, audience impact and appeal, artistry, and relevance to the theme “Ati in flowers, fruits and foliage.”
They also received certificates of participation from Governor Florencio Miraflores and Vice Governor Reynaldo Quimpo during the awarding ceremony at the Kalibo Pastrana Park on Jan. 16.
Since 1995, the “Higante Contest” of the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo was being organized by the provincial government through the Aklan Provincial Tourism Office.(With a report from Akean Forum/PN)
