KALIBO, Aklan – Contingents competing in the 2025 Kalibo Sadsad Ati-Atihan contest will get P2,840,000 subsidies from the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival organizer.
This week, 50 percent of the Ati-Atihan subsidy will be released and the final tranche of subsidy will be given by the local government of Kalibo and the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival Board (KAFEB) in November.
KAFEB, for the third straight year, will allocate subsidies of P840,000 for contingents in Tribal Big category, P810,000 for Tribal Small, P770,000 in Modern Group, and P420,000 for Balik Ati category.
Of the 34 contingents, 16 came from Kalibo while 18 out-of-town tribes and groups also registered for the Kalibo Sadsad Ati-Atihan contest.
There are 11 out-of-town contingents from Makato, while Ibajay, Malinao, Numancia, and Lezo have seven contingents for the contest.
Black Beauty Boys from Barangay Linabuan Norte, Kalibo will be defending the crown in Tribal Big category. Balik Ati titlist Apo ni Inday from Barangay Calangcang, Makato will be challenging contingents from Kalibo, Makato and Malinao for the title.
Modern group champion Royal Scorpio 11-19 from Barangay Poblacion, Kalibo and Tribal Small champion Kabog from Barangay Estancia, Kalibo are also ready to retain their Sadsad Ati-Atihan titles.
The certified crowd-drawer event in Kalibo features intricate Ati-Atihan costumes of 3,200 dancers and drummers, plus the rhythmic beating of drums and high-energy street dancing of contingents.
The Sadsad Ati-Atihan contest will be held during the Bisperas it Kapiestahan ni Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo on January 18, 2025./PN
