Kalibo, Aklan – Accountant Edita Reyes was appointed as the new head of the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Management Council, Inc. (Kasamaco).
Reyes, a former corporate secretary of the Kasamaco, said she accepted the post designated to her by Mayor Emerson Lachica on Friday.
Recently, Apolonio “Apol” Zaraspe III, former Kasamaco president, resigned weeks before the 2020 festival.
“It is with a heavy heart when I stepped down in Kasamaco. I did my best and I have to go back and to live a private life,” Zaraspe said.
The creation of the Kalibo Festival Executive Board (KFEB), which acts as a decision-making body of all matters and issues related to the conduct of all Ati-Atihan activities, doesn’t sit well with Zaraspe, who said the KFEB will run in conflict with Kasamaco in the overall management and operations of the festival.
Last July 9, Lachica signed Executive Order No. 22 authorizing Kasamaco as a partner of the municipal government in enhancing tourism and in facilitating the events of the Ati-Atihan Festival slated next month.
The Ati-Atihan is one of the most sought-after festivals not only in Western Visayas but in the entire country, the annual celebration gathers thousands of merrymakers in this capital town.(With Akean Forum/PN)
