KALIBO, Aklan – Representatives from five festivals in the country performed in an invitational cultural presentation yesterday in the island province of Guimaras, one of the highlights of the ongoing 25th Manggahan Festival.
These festivals were Kalibo’s Ati-Atihan, Iloilo City’s Dinagyang, Kalinga’s Matagoan, Bacolod City’s MassKara, and Passi City’s Pintados de Passi.
The festival representatives performed at three staging areas in Jordan town – in front of the Jordan Food Terminal Market, the Rotonda, and the Food Court Area.
It was the first time that the Malbong Tribe in Cordillera region joined the invitational cultural showcase, performing songs and dances from different tribes in Tabuk, Kalinga Apayao, representing the Matagoan Festival.
The Ati-Atihan festival sent 120 tribe dancers and drummers, according to Kalibo Santo Niño Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. chairman Albert Menez.
The representatives were from the Ati-Atihan street dancing 2018 winners – tribal big champion Vikings and 1st runner-up Black Beauty Boys, modern group champion Royal Scorpio and second placer Aeang Aeang.
Dinagyang, meanwhile, sent its 2018 Ati tribe competition 2nd runner-up Tribu Ilonganon.
The festival performers were billeted at the Cresente P. Chavez Sr. Central School and Guimaras State College-Mosqueda campus prior to yesterday’s show. (With Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
