KALIBO, Aklan – With barely a few weeks to go, the organizers of the Ati-Atihan Festival have declared they are 80 percent done with all the preparations needed for the Feast of Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo.
The Ati-Atihan Festival is set to take place from Jan. 2 to Jan. 20, 2019. The 18-day celebration will feature religious and tourism activities to attract more devotees, balikbayans and tourists to this province’s famous festival.
The Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi) has been mounting preparations for the festival for months now, currently they are finalizing the arrangements for the activities in collaboration with the local church and private sector partners.
“We are all set for the Ati-Atihan festivities with the help of stakeholders, the local police and other government agencies for a bigger and peaceful celebration of Santo Niño,” said Albert Meñez, chairperson of Kasafi.
Some of the upcoming events are the Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan pageant on Jan. 11, the Traffic Jam and Bikers Rally on Jan. 12 to 13, the Ati-Atihan Float Parade on Jan. 14, Kaean-an sa Plaza, Ati-Atihan Bazaar and Hala Bira Ati-Atihan Nights from Jan. 14 to 20.
Meanwhile, Sinaot sa Calle has been set for Jan. 15 to 16, Street Party Sadsad on Jan. 16 to 17, Kapuso Night on Jan. 16, Aklan Higante Contest, Aklan Balikbayan Night and Philippine Airlines Mabuhay Night on Jan. 17, Color Wave 3.0 on Jan. 18, Sadsad Ati-Atihan Contest and Hydro Kalibo x Electric Fusion 4 on Jan. 19.
Opening Liturgical Rites and Blessing of Instruments will kick off the religious activities on Jan. 2 at Kalibo Cathedral.
Other church activities are the Paeapak of devotees, Pagbisita ag Paghatod sa Baryo kay Señor Santo Niño, Haead Pasaeamat and devotional novena.
Dawn penitential procession of caros and devotees will happen on Jan. 19 while Pilgrims mass, Traslacion of Santo Niño de Kalibo, religious procession and torch parade of Santo Niño images on Jan. 20 will culminate the two weeks celebration./PN
