Kalibo, Aklan stages Ati-Atihan 2013

CEBU, Philippines - Thousands of tourists, balikbayans and devotees converged last weekend at Kalibo, Aklan to celebrate the famous Ati-Atihan Festival, a social and religious event in honor of the Santo Niño, with the famous chant: “Viva Kay Señor Sto. Niño! Hala Bira Kalibo!”

According to the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Foundation Inc. (KASAFI), the faithful paid homage to the Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo for a nine-day devotional novena in the Cathedral Parish of Saint John the Baptist, marking the start of the religious celebration of the Ati-Atihan festival.

At the cathedral, the Paeapak was conducted: A unique age-old Christian tradition where a Catholic priest or a lay minister rubs all parts of a devotee’s body with the image of the miraculous Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo, believed to heal both body and soul.

KASAFI also stated that the street parade, showcasing the varied colors and cultures of the 17 towns of Aklan, was the Akeanon’s version of the mardi gras, which both had historical and religious origins, a time to reunite, celebrate and glorify the Child Jesus, the Santo Niño.

KASAFI announced the winners in the Ati-Atihan street dancing contest (tribal big category): Black Beauty Boys, for the third straight year, defended its title; followed by Tribu Kabog at second place; and Tribu Bukid Tigayon at third.

In the Aklan Festivals Parade, participated in by nine twon festivals in the province, KASAFI said it was Malinao Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival that bagged the grand prize in a vibrant and colorful showdown of ‘One Town, One Festivals’.

Bariw Festival of Nabas won second place while defending champion Saguibin Festival of Banga came in third.

The festivals of Aklan was organized by KASAFI and the Aklan Provincial Tourism Office with the support of Rep. Florencio Miraflores, Governor Carlito Marquez and Vice Gov. Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo, while Kasangga party-list Rep. Teodorico Haresco Jr shouldered the cash prizes and subsidies of the parade.

KASAFI also reported that the grand prize winner in the 2012 Aklan Higante Contest was the “Alibangbang” of Balete town against nine other entries.

Finally, KASAFI announced that, in the Mutya ag Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan beauty pageant, the winner over 11 other contestants was Rosalie Castaneda Arcenio, a 17-year-old business administration student from Numancia, Aklan. —From the KASAFI website (FREEMAN)