KALIBO, Aklan – The Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival Board (KAFEB) is pulling out all the stops to showcase a bigger, more exciting celebration of Kalibo Señor Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival in January next year.
Expect the ultimate festival experience for everyone, from the gathering of the hottest bands and big-name acts, to the much-anticipated traditional street dancing of Ati-Atihan tribes.
The celebratory spirit of Kalibo Ati-Atihan is off the charts. Known for its elaborate costumes and captivating beating of drums, the festival drives thousands of revelers to dance in the streets of Kalibo every year.
From January 13 to 19, the Kalibo Señor Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival turns the entire town into a full-on street party.
The festival will feature Color Fun Run with Zumba on January 4 (Pook Jetty Port to Kalibo Pastrana Park), Ati-Atihan Fashion Festival on January 11 (Pook Jetty Port), Circuit Bike Race on January 11 to 12 (Tigayon-Nalook circumferential road), and Traffic Jam and Bikers Rally on January 11 to 12 (Kalibo Pastrana Park).
Other packed-events are Binibini ng Kalibo Ati-Atihan pageant and coronation on January 10 (ABL Sports and Cultural Center), Arte Kalye sa El Porvenir on January 13 to 18 (D. Maagma Sr. Street), Ati-Atihan Product Showcase on January 13 to 20 (CityMall Kalibo), Ati-Atihan Nights on January 13 to 19 (Kalibo Magsaysay Park), Balik Patik Battle of Ati-Atihan Bands on January 14 (Kalibo Pastrana Park), Nego-Parada on January 15, Sinaot sa Calle on January 15 to 16, Aklan Higante Contest and Kapuso Night on January 16 (Kalibo Pastrana Park).
The longest-running Kalibo Sadsad Ati-Atihan Contest needs no introduction. The main event, literally, shaped the Ati-Atihan festival celebrations since 1963.
Ati-Atihan contingents from Kalibo, Numancia, Ibajay, Lezo, Malinao, and Makato go all out for the festival as 34 tribes garbed in brightly coloured costumes compete for the top prizes on January 18.
A series of church activities for the faithful are also lined up in celebration of the Feast of Señor Sto. Niño de Kalibo.
The traditional activities are the nine-day devotional novena, Pilgrims’ mass, dawn penitential procession, paeapak, parish visitations and vigil, grand procession, blessing of tribes and pilgrims, opening and closing liturgical rites.
Meanwhile, Gigi De Lana and the Gigi Vibes will highlight a one-of-a-kind performance in Kalibo Ati-Atihan Nights on January 17, Friday./PN
