BORACAY – A group known as Vikings has bested six other local tribes in this year’s street dancing competition known as “sadsad” in the tribal big category during the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival.
The Vikings, from Barangay Dumga, Makato, Aklan, won a cash prize worth P275,000 after competing with other local tribes in Kalibo, Aklan on Jan. 18.
Tribe leader Hark Tesorerom steered the Vikings to three straight championships during the Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival in Makato town in 2020, 2019 and 2018.
“Taong 1967 nagsimulang sumali sa Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan ang Barangay Dumga sa pamumuno ni barangay captain Manuel Tamayo at ang aming tatay na si Masinito Tesorero Sr. na designer niya sa paggawa ng Ati-Atihan costume. Nag-solicit, nangaroling at nagpa-bayle sila upang makasali sa contest at makalikom ng pondo para sa Ati-Atihan costume at pambili ng mga drums,” Tesorero said.
“Noong 2014, nagsimula kaming sumali sa Kalibo Ati-Atihan. At sa hanggang ngayon ay nagsusumikap pa rin na mapaganda ang samahan ng aming grupo na may disiplina at may panata sa Señor Sto. Niño at sa bayan,” he added.
The Vikings, which won its first Kalibo Ati-Atihan grand title in 2018, also copped two minor awards – best in costume and street dancing.
Meanwhile, the Black Beauty Boys – a perennial champion that had won eight of the last nine titles and a former defending champion – landed in second place, bringing home a P165,000 cash prize.
The Black Beauty Boys, from the village of Linabuan Norte, Kalibo, also won best beats and sounds award.
Tribu Libtong Boys of Barangay Estancia, Kalibo ended up in third place, securing a P132,000 cash prize.
Consolation prizes were given to Pangawasan Tribe of Barangay Cayangwan, Makato and Maharlika Tribe of Dumga, Makato. They each received P49,500 cash.
The D’Kamanggahan of Barangay Poblacion, Makato and Makulay of Barangay Estancia, Kalibo took home P33,000 cash each.
The winners, including those in other categories, were announced on Jan. 19 at the culmination of the festival.
A total of 32 groups took part in the street dancing contests which started on Jan. 18.
The Ati-Atihan is held every third week of January. It is among the most sought-after festivals not only in Western Visayas but in the entire country, the annual celebration gathers thousands of merrymakers in Aklan’s capital town of Kalibo.(With a report from Akean Forum/PN)
