KALIBO, Aklan – Instead of the traditional 10 days, religious activities in the Ati-Atihan Festival in this capital town next year will run for 18 days.
Santo Niño devotees are expected to attend various activities venerating the Child Jesus from Jan. 2 to 20.
Setting the tone for the Feast of Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo and the Adlaw-Adlaw nga Panaad ag Debosyon kay Santo Niño de Kalibo is the opening liturgy rites and blessing of instruments on Jan. 2.
The traditional paeapak at the Kalibo Cathedral grounds and devotional novena will take place daily during the period.
Daily processions around the Pastrana Park will be from Jan. 2 to 13, while the Pagbisita ni Santo Niño sa Baryo will be from Jan. 3 to 10.
Chapel visitation and vigil of parishioners in the barangays are scheduled in Tinigaw, Linabuan Norte, Mobo, Bakhaw Sur, Estancia, Bakhaw Norte, and Tigayon.
Haead Pasaeamat will get under way with praise, dance and worship 6 p.m. at the Kalibo Cathedral grounds from Jan. 14 to 18.
On Jan. 19 a penitential procession at 4 a.m. along major streets and the blessing of karos will kick off the Bisperas it Kapistahan ni Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo.
Tribes, groups and individuals will compete for the Sadsad Ati-Atihan contest at 8 a.m. from Mabini Street to downtown Kalibo.
A blessing of children, tribes, bands, and groups will follow at 11 a.m. and the Ro Hornada at 12 noon at the Pastrana Park and Kalibo Cathedral grounds.
On Jan. 20 starting 7 a.m. there will be a traslacion, pilgrims’ mass, and procession, which will highlight the Kaadlawan it Kapistahan ni Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo.
At 3 p.m. a procession of Santo Niño images and a torch parade will be held along major streets while at 8 p.m. will be the closing liturgical rites that end the 18-day religious celebration.
“We highly encourage the devotees and visitors to join the procession after the pilgrims’ mass in the morning, and the procession and torch parade in the afternoon,” said Father Jose Tudd Belandres of the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist Parish.
Dubbed the “mother of all Philippine festivals,” Ati-Atihan is a big and colorful annual festivity in honor of Señor Santo Niño every January. (With Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
