KALIBO, Aklan – As preparations gain momentum, the local government recently announced that winners of the 2024 Kalibo Sadsad Ati-Atihan contest will get cold cash.
Mayor Juris Bautista Sucro said the champion gets to pocket a whopping P1 million.
The festival’s annual street dancing that draws thousands of people will be on Jan. 20, 2024.
Competing are 34 registered Ati-Atihan tribes and groups from Malinao, Lezo, Ibajay, Makato, Numancia, Banga and Kalibo in Tribal Big, Tribal Small, Balik Ati and, Modern Tribal categories.
In the 2023 edition, Vikings from Dumga, Makato won the Kalibo Sadsad Ati-Atihan contest, bagging the history-making P1-million prize in the Tribal Big category.
Black Beauty Boys from Linabuan Norte, Kalibo came in second, and Maharlika from Dumga, Makato settled for third place.
Tribu Bukid Tigayon from Tigayon, Kalibo was declared Tribal Small champion, while Tribu Tampogaling from Linabuan Norte, Kalibo in second place, and Kabog from Estancia, Kalibo in third place.
Three-peat champion Aeang Aeang from Laguinbanua West, Numancia, Aklan took home the crown in the Modern Tribal category. Atras-Abante from Poblacion, Makato and Roadside from Linabuan Sur, Banga in 2nd and 3rd places, respectively.
Tribu Naisud from Naisud, Ibajay outclassed Sinikway nga Ati and Apo ni Inday, both from Calangcang, Makato in the Balik Ati category.
Festival organizer Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival Board (KAFEB), working under the leadership of Sucro, plans a diverse set of exciting events from Jan. 13 to 21, 2024.
Sucro said, “Putting together a wide variety of events will attract more tourists and pilgrims across the world.”
On Aug. 12, 2023, Sucro issued Executive Order No. 67, creating the working and event committees for the celebration of the Kalibo festival.
“Having the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan festival’s name imprinted as an event to look forward to, there is a challenge to make it better year after year, particularly that various festivals in the country are replicating its success story; thus, there is a pressing need to sustain, develop, and further promote it,” Sucro stressed./PN
