KALIBO, Aklan – The Black Beauty Boys of Barangay Linabuan Norte, Kalibo, Aklan emerged as this year’s biggest winner among the contesting tribes in the Tribal Big Group Category of the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Streetdancing competition.
The Black Beauty Boys, which received P250,000.00 as cash prize, dislodged defending champion Vikings of Barangay Dumga, Makato, Aklan.
The Vikings Tribe won P150,000 as second prize winner, while third placer Libtong Boys of Sitio Libtong, Estancia, Kalibo won P120,000.00.
The Tribal Big Group Category has the biggest amount of cash prizes allocation from the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Festival Incorporated (KASAFI), the festival organizer.
The Maharlika Tribe of Dumga, Makato, and Pangawasan Tribe of Cayangwan, Makato, each received P45,000.00 as consolation prizes while Tribu Alibangbang of Linabuan Norte, Kalibo; Tribu Tiis-tiis of New Buswang, Kalibo each received P30,000.00 consolation prizes.
D’ Kamanggahan Tribe of Poblacion Makato, on the other hand, received P20,000.00 consolation prize.
Other winners in the Ati-atihan Contest include Kabog, of Estancia, Kalibo, first prize, P110,000.00; Tribu Ninolitos, of Brgy. Tigayon, second, P80,000.00, and Tribu Bukid Tigayon, of Sitio Bukid Tigayon, Kalibo, third prize, P55,000.00 – the Tribal Small Category.
Consolation winners under this category were Tribu Responde of New buswang, Kalibo; Parola Tribe of Daja Norte, Banga; and Tribu Triple J of Estancia, Kalibo which received P30,000.00 each while Iwa-Iwa of Estancia, Kalibo and Lezo Tribe of Ibao, Lezo received P15,000.00 each.
For the Balik-Ati/Original Tribal Group, winners were Tribu ni Datu Puti of Rosario, Malainao, Aklan, first prize; which received P100,000.00; Sinikway nga Ati of Dumga, Makato, second, P60,000.00; and Malipayong Ati of San Roque, Malinao, which receive P45,000.00.
Three tribes under this category each received P25,000.00 as consolation prizes, while another three tribes received P10,000.00 each.
For the modern Group Category, first prize winner Tribu Aeang-Aeang of Laguinbanua West, Numancia received P100,000.00; Atras-Abante of Poblacion Makato, second, Php60,000.00; and Royal Scorpio of Goding Ramos, Kalibo, third, received P35,000.00.
Consolation prizes under this category received P25,000.00 each for top 2 placers; while the other 3 consolation winners got Php20,000.00 each.
Special Awards – Best in Costume; Best in Drum Beat, and Best in Streetdancing were also awarded to winners chosen by judges.
The Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Festival this year was held from January 2 to 20 highlighted with religious and civic activities which peaked on the 20ththrough Pilgrim’s Mass in front of the St. John the Baptist Cathedral, all-day long streetdancing by tribes and visitors, and the religious procession and torch streetdancing in the afternoon.
Some other major highlights of the Ati-atihan Festival were the Sinaot Sa Kalye participated by students and teachers (DepEd), Higante Contest, Sadsad Panaad, and Sadsad Pasaeamat.
The festival was also an opportunity of family and school reunions of various Aklan schools and colleges. (PIA/PN)
