KALIBO, Aklan – Thirty-four contingents have their sights for the 2025 Kalibo Sadsad Ati-Atihan crowns on January 18.
Festival goers are all excited to witness the street dancing of 3,200 Ati-Atihan members in elaborate costumes during the Bisperas it Kapiestahan ni Senor Sto. Niño de Kalibo.
Black Beauty Boys, Apo ni Inday, Royal Scorpio 11-19, and Kabog were the defending champions of the Sadsad Ati-Atihan contest.
Contingents ready to turn their championship dreams into reality in Tribal Big category this year are Libtong Boys from Estancia, Kalibo; Vikings and Maharlika from Dumga, Makato; Pangawasan (Cayangwan, Makato), and Tribu Linabuanon and Tribu Alibangbang (Linabuan Norte, Kalibo).
They will challenge multi-titled Black Beauty Boys, also from Linabuan Norte, Kalibo.
Royal Scorpio 11-19 from Poblacion, Kalibo has also proven their greatness in Modern Tribal category with many championships as they face again Aeang Aeang from Laguinbanua West, Numancia and Atras Abante (Mga Inapo ni Datu Kalantiaw) from Poblacion, Makato for the crown.
Bluebirds from Poblacion, Numancia; La Promesa and Mag-Ingkampod (Poblacion, Makato), OHM Society and D’Emagine (Poblacion, Kalibo), Bae-ot Bae-ot (Pusiw, Numancia), Nosi Balasi (Calangcang, Makato) and Golden Apan from Old Buswang, Kalibo will stood in their way in the all-or-nothing battle in Modern Tribal category.
Apo ni Inday from Calangcang, Makato is rounding up for its first two-peat ever in Balik Ati category.
Pulling their trigger also for the championship run are Tribu Maninikop from Caano, Kalibo; Sinikway nga Ati (Calangcang, Makato), Salimono Tribe (Libang, Makato), Malipayong Ati (San Roque, Malinao) and Tribu Datu Puti (Rosario, Malinao).
Kabog from Estancia, Kalibo has the best odds to claim another title in Tribal Small category.
The legitimate contenders, however, are Tribu Tampogaling from Linabuan Norte, Kalibo; Tribu Bukid Tigayon and Tribu Ninolitos (Tigayon, Kalibo), Tribu Iwa Iwa and Tribu Was Was (Estancia, Kalibo), D’Kamanggahan (Dumga, Makato), Lezo Tribe (Ibao, Lezo) and Tribu Responde (New Buswang, Kalibo).
Kalibo Sadsad Ati-Atihan, organized by the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival Board, is one of the must-watch events of this year’s Ati-Atiham festivities./PN
