KALIBO, Aklan – A total of P1.758-million will be given to Ati-Atihan winners of the 2019 Sadsad Ati-Atihan contest this January.
The street dancing competition of tribes, groups and individuals is one of the highlights of the 18-day Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival in honor of Señor Sto. Niño de Kalibo.
Tribes in the tribal big category will get the lion share of the P1.758-million prize pool at P690,000 and the tribal small category, P365,000. Modern group category will also receive P305,000 and Balik-Ati category, P320,000.
Special awards will be given for Best in Ati-Atihan street dancing, Best in Ati-Atihan costume and Best in Ati-Atihan sound and beat. The winners in each category will receive P5,000.
Six winners in modern and original tribal individual categories will also take home P18,000.
This year’s Ati-Atihan prizes is 23 percent higher compared to P1,433,000 in 2018. In 2017, the tribes and groups received P780,000 Ati-Atihan prizes for the contest.
On Jan. 19 contest, festival organizer Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi) is expecting around 4,500 drummers and dancers from 34 registered Ati-Atihan tribes and groups.
The contest is scheduled at 8 a.m. during the Bisperas it Kapistahan ni Senor Santo Nino de Kalibo.
Registered tribes and groups in colorful and tribal costumes will assemble in Desposorio Maagma and Mabini Streets between 5 a.m. to 7 a.m.
They will start their street dancing along Mabini Street then turn left Arch. Reyes Street, turn right Pastrana Street, turn left to Regalado Street, turn left Martelino Street, turn right Arch. Reyes Street, turn left C. Laserna Street, turn left XIX Martyrs Street, turn right Rizal Street, turn left M. Laserna Street, turn left Pastrana Street, turn left XIX Martyrs Street, turn right Martelino Street before they converge in Kalibo Pastrana Park.
At the park grounds, there will be blessing of tribes, groups and bands and the blessing of Sto. Niño images around 11 am to 12 noon.
The Ati-Atihan celebration in Kalibo, Aklan started on January 2 and will culminate on Jan. 20. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
