KALIBO, Aklan – This town’s Ati-Atihan Festival held every January is world-famous but other municipalities of Aklan also have their own versions of the festivity. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, however, Gov. Florencio Miraflores is not keen on approving their staging this year.
“Malisud pa gihapon ga selebrar it Ati-Atihan kapin dayang pag-sadsad it mga grupo, pag-ilinom ag pagdagsa it mga tawo,” said Miraflores.
Despite the ongoing vaccinations, coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) remains a threat, especially to the unvaccinated, he explained.
So far, 180,507 individuals or 42.21 percent of the eligible population have been fully vaccinated, data from Regional Vaccination Operations Center showed.
The towns of Lezo, Batan, Makato, Malinao, Altavas, Ibajay and Boracay Island in Malay have their own versions of Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan Festival. But even if quarantine restrictions are gradually being loosened up, they are unlikely to hold the traditional street dancing.
Pre-pandemic, thousands of people would typically converge on the streets to dancing and party, and enjoy cultural events, concerts and processions.
Last year, celebrations except for church masses were upended by rising COVID-19 infections and lockdowns.
Miraflores said he can’t sacrifice public health. Ati-Atihan celebrations could become COVID-19 super spreader events.
As of Nov. 25, only two patients from Kalibo were admitted at the Aklan provincial hospital for COVID-19-related complications.
The pandemic is far from over, said Miraflores, citing many European countries such as Denmark, Austria, Belgium, United Kingdom, Netherlands, and Italy which are now imposing tighter restrictions because infections are rising again.
“Malisud na luwagan it husto ru mga restrictions na maging delikado pa sa mga tawo,” stressed Miraflores./PN
