Diverse Cultures of our Community

Ati-atihan festival – the mother of all festival

HISTORY

A 13th century (c.1200 A.D.) event explains the origins of the festival. A group of 10 Malay chieftains called Datus, fleeing from the island of Borneo settled in the Philippines, and were granted settlement by the Ati people, the tribes of Panay Island. Datu Puti, Makatunaw's chief minister made a trade with the natives and bought the plains for a golden salakot, brass basins and bales of cloth. For the wife of the Ati chieftain, they gave a very long necklace. Feasting and festivities followed soon after.

Sometime later, the Ati people were struggling with famine as the result of a bad harvest. They were forced to descend from their mountain village into the settlement below, to seek the generosity of the people who now lived there. The Datus obliged and gave them food. In return, the Ati danced and sang for them, grateful for the gifts they had been given.

The misoln was originally a pagan festival from this tribe practicing Animism, and their worshiping their anito god. Spanish missionaries gradually added a Christian meaning. Today, the Ati-Atihan is celebrated as a religious festival.

KALOBO’S WAY OF CELEBRATING ATI-ATIHAN

he key activity of the festival and one of the main reasons tourists gather to the island is the native dance competitions pitched to rhythmic and mesmerizing drumbeats that run nonstop for several days. Competitors rehearsed for weeks before the festival and dress in very colorful costumes, wearing masks and headdresses, and paint their bodies with black ash to turn up like the native Ati. Dancing troupes, some numbering 40 or 50 children or teenagers, dance for local prestige and cash prizes.
Hotels and resorts for miles around are reserved solid months in advance, but many houses near the festival have spare rooms that families let out. While there is much drinking and revelry there is a noticeable police presence that is there to safeguard foreigners and tourists. The other attraction is Boracay beach is less than an hour away so many tourists and visitors view the festival and then visit Boracay for a complete and well-rounded vacation.

ACTIVITIES BEFORE AND AFTER AATI-ATIHAN

January 11 to 20, 2013
4 PM Cathedral Parish of Saint John the Baptist

Faithful pay 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 glorious Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan festival.

PAEAPAK

January 11 to 20, 2013
In front of Cathedral Parish of Saint John the Baptist

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. It attracts devotees from all faiths worldwide for it is believed to heal both body and soul.

MUTYA AG LAKAN IT KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN 2013 GRAND PAGEANT FINALE AND CORONATION NIGHT

January 11, 2013
7 PM ABL Sports and Cultural Center
Eagerly awaited grand finale where equally young and talented finalists in the running to be crowned the Mutya ag Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2013. A mix of beauty and brains, twenty-four aspirants will fulfill their dreams in an evening of glamour and star-studded coronation night.

AKLAN FESTIVALS PARADE

January 14, 2013
1 PM Major Streets of Kalibo
A celebration of the diverse, fascinating and captivating Aklan’s ‘One Town, One Festival’ in a street parade of contingent, making this event exciting, where it showcases the different colors and cultures of the 17 towns of Aklan.

GMA KAPUSO ATI-ATIHAN NIGHT

January 14, 2013
6 PM Kalibo Pastrana Park

Feel the spirit of Ati-Atihan with live performances of your favorite Kapuso stars. Enjoy and watch as GMA network is set to showcase the rising actors and actresses in the Kapuso Night.

KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN TRADE FAIR

January 14 to 20, 2013
8 AM to 10 PM Kalibo Pastrana Park

Shop for premium quality Aklanon products made from world-class woven piña and other fiber-based crafts such as abaca, raffia and nito. Marvel at the exhibit showcase of the finest clay materials handcrafted by local artisans, delicacies and ornamental plants.

AKLANON VISUAL ARTS EXHIBIT

January 14 to 20, 2013
8 AM to 5 PM Museo it Akean

An exhibit by established and upcoming Aklanon artists featuring over a hundred art works depicting the cultural and historical richness of the province of Aklan.
KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN STREET BAZAAR

January 14 to 22, 2013
8 AM to 11 PM Veterans Avenue
A day-and-night street bazaar with a wide array of products by local entrepreneurs for sale at affordable and bargain prices.

KAEAN-AN SA PLAZA

January 14 to 20, 2013
4 PM to 1 AM Kalibo Pastrana Park (Basketball Court)
A weeklong food event that offers a sumptuous array of fast foods and culinary specialties of local restaurants and hotels with acoustic bands for music lovers.

HALA BIRA ATI-ATIHAN NIGHTS

January 14 to 20, 2013
4 PM to 1 AM Kalibo Magsaysay Park

A never-ending excitement of snake-dancing, revelry of foods and drinks with nightly concerts by national and local bands.

PAGDAYAW KAY SENOR STO. NINO

January 15, 2013
1 PM Major Streets of Kalibo

Students and teachers from Aklan State University keep the spirit of Ati-Atihan in street dancing parade

SADSAD PANAAD

January 16 to 17, 2013

8 AM Major Streets of Kalibo

‘Sinaot sa Calle’ of the students and teachers of Department of Education with their faces and bodies covered in soot and accompanied by the festive beating of the Ati-Atihan drums.
AKLAN HIGANTE CONTEST

January 17, 2013
1 PM Major Streets of Kalibo-Kalibo Pastrana Park
A parade of Higantes and individuals dressed in giant ecological tourism-themed images. Through the years, the most beautiful and impressive Higantes designed by the municipalities of Aklan, make their way in the Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival.

SADSAD PAGPASAEAMAT KAY SR. STO. NINO

January 18, 2013

Major Streets of Kalibo

The true spirit of devotion to Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo by socio-civic groups, balikbayans, religious and people from all walks of life.

DAWN PENITENTIAL PROCESSION

January 19, 2013

4 AM Major Streets of Kalibo-Cathedral Parish of Saint John the Baptist

Praying of the rosary by devotees and pilgrims before the Ati-Atihan festival music rises into a crescendo.
TRIBAL, MODERN, BALIK-ATI AND INDIVIDUAL ATI-ATIHAN CONTEST

January 19, 2013
8 AM to 5 PM Major Streets of Kalibo

Street dancing contest comes alive with tribe members dress up in their vibrant and colorful costumes, their bodies and faces painted with soot as they dance to the unique Ati-Atihan beat of the drums.

HORNADA

January 19, 2013

12 Noon in front of Cathedral Parish of Saint John the Baptist

The rhythmic beating of the drums, loud and lively dancing of Ati-Atihan tribes to pay tribute to the Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo.

TRANSFER OF SANTO NINO IMAGE AND PILGRIMS’ MASS

January 20, 2013

6:30 AM to 9 AM Cathedral Parish of Saint John the Baptist grounds

“Musyon ga Santo Niño ag ga Ati-Ati Kita”
Concelebrated Pilgrims’ Mass offering where devotees, guests and tourists flock in solidarity with Ati-Atihan tribes as they take part in the highest form of Catholic workship, the High Mass celebration.

RELIGIOUS PROCESSION AND DANCE

January 20, 2013
3 PM to 9 PM Major Streets of Kalibo-Cathedral Parish of Saint John the Baptist

“Pagsapoe, Pagpaeapak, Pagpangamuyo ag Pagpasaeamat kay Santo Niño, Pag Bendisyon ni Santo Niño, Paghatud kay Santo Niño”
Praise dancing of Ati-Atihan tribes and visitors for hours together with beautifully adorned Señor Santo Niño de Kalibo ‘caros’ and devotees carrying Santo Niño image and bamboo torches.
PAGPADUNGOG

January 20, 2013
7 PM Kalibo Magsaysay Park

The finale and last hurrah of the weeklong Ati-Atihan festival. Winners of the Ati-Atihan contest give their ‘last’ energy as they receive their prizes from Kasafi and the local government of Kalibo.

THE SADSAD FESTIVITY PICTURES

THE SAYAW RITUAL

SEARCH FOR MUTYA AND LAKAN DUCUMENTARY

24 Mutya ag Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2013 finalists named

Twenty-four finalists for the Mutya ag Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan 2013 have been chosen.

They will compete in the grand pageant night on January 11, 2013, according to festival organizer Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation, Inc. (Kasafi).

The finalists were selected from 40 contestants for the 3rd edition of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan beauty pageant scheduled to take place in Gov. Augusto B. Legaspi Sports and Cultural Center here.

Out of 21 aspirants, the 12 beautiful Mutya it Kalibo Ati-Atihan finalists selected are Riza Lucing (New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan, 18), Lailani Sualog (Poblacion, Malay, Aklan, 18), Rosalie Arcenio (Camanci Norte, Numancia, Aklan, 16), Sherame Jardeleza (Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan, 19), Ma. Theressa Vanessa Dela Cruz (Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan, 23) and Merrie Joy Montalbo (Dongon West, Numancia, Aklan, 17).

Other finalists are Jane Escalona (Bulwang, Numancia, Aklan, 21), Evelyn Teston (Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan, 17), Harchelyn Joy Agudon (Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan, 18), Ivy Charresse Vega (Poblacion, New Washington, Aklan, 16), Karla Jane Gallardes (Poblacion, Balete, Aklan, 22) and Janine Marie Pedrosa (Calimbajan, Makato, Aklan, 21).

The 12 Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan finalists, out of 19 aspirants, are David Matthew Bunganay (Camanci, Batan, Aklan, 16), Edross Taay (Tigayon, Kalibo, Aklan, 19), Clyde Vincent Briones (Estancia, Kalibo, Aklan, 21), Charrls Cris Dagohoy (New Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan, 20), Joseph Ibadlit (Laguinbanua West, Numancia, Aklan, 21) and Satinder Pal Ghai (Ibajay, Aklan, 19).

Other finalists are Jasper Cahilig (Balusbos, Malay, Aklan, 16), Ryan Jay Rampola (Polo, Banga, Aklan, 19), Riedgbelle Jhecz Maglaqui (Tinigao, Kalibo, Aklan, 19), Jan Vic Basia (Poblacion, Kalibo, Aklan, 17), Aaron Jay Fernandez (Feliciano, Balete, Aklan, 20) and Jy Lee Kevin Tang (Dumga, Makato, Aklan, 20).

Kasafi chairman Albert Menez said preliminary competitions will be held in Boracay Garden Resort on December 15 for the Swimsuit and Swimwear and on December 21 in Kalibo Pastrana Park for the candidates’ talent performance.

The finale competition and the crowning of Mutya ag Lakan it Kalibo Ati-Atihan will take on January 11, 2013.

ATI-ATIHAN FOLK SONG AND LITERATURE

Purposes:

Show the culture of Numanciahanon
Promote potential spot for tourist
Promote the product on Numancia

History:

Numancia is one town in Aklan that has great historical significance. Its name was derived from a Spanish Yacht, which happened to pass by from Manila. This yacht was reported to be sailing around the world.

In Spain there is also a town by the name Numancia, which became famous for its inhabitants who resisted the invading forces of Hannibal, a great general of Carthage (which was at war with Rome during that time). Some Spaniards who came here may have come from this town and requested the Spanish government to name this town Numancia through a royal decree.

Numancia as integrated with Banga, Lezo, and Kalibo

When the Americans came in 1899, the military government appointed Felix Kimpo as head of the town. During the election in 1901 he was elected as the president from 1901 to 1903. At that time there were 34 provinces in the towns of Capiz, but these were reduced to 24 towns by a law passed by the civil Commission when it was found out that some towns were incapable of meeting their financial obligations and maintenance. So on March 4, 1904, an executive order was passed fusing Banga, Lezo, Nuamncia, and Kalibo into one municipality.

Numancia as Barrio of Lezo as Part of Numancia

Five years after on July 31, 1909, the civil commission passed another law separation Lezo and Numancia from Kalibo and making Lezo as the seat of government. Numancia then, became a barrio of Lezo. In 1920 the situation was reversed with regards to the status of Lezo and Numancia. By Executive Order No. 17, series of 1920, the seat of government was transferred to Numancia and Lezo became a barrio of Numancia.

Separation of Lezo from Numancia

The people of Lezo were not willing to be subordinates of Numancia and so they filed a petition stating their intent to be a separate town. It was just before the outbreak of the Second World War when then Pres. Quezon approved their petition when he issued Executive Order No. 364 series of 1941 dated August 28, 1941 making Lezo as a separate municipality. On account of World War II, the actual inauguration for the separation of the municipality of Lezo from the Municipality of Numancia was deferred to January 1, 1945. On this date both Lezo and Numancia became separate municipalities.

Practices of the People:

People used to go to church at dawn or”Simbang Gabi” during Christmas Season.
People go to church every Sunday.
People celebrate fiesta .
People join the procession in holy week .

Traditions of the Community:

-Holy Week-Holy Week is commemorate with street procession, the way of the cross and a passion play called the SINAKULO at Albasan.The church keeps the day solemn by not tolling the church bells, no mass will be celebrated

Celebrations of the Community:

·Christmas

This is especial event for Nuamnciahanon.It begins formally on December 16 with attendance at the first of nine pre-dawn or early morning masses and continues on nonstop until the first Sunday of January,Feast of the Three Kings, the official end of the season.Christmas day in Numancia a popular day for children to visit their uncles, aunts, godmothers, and godfathers. At each home they are presented with a gift, usually candy, money, or a small toy. Food and drinks are also offered at each stop. It is a day of family closeness, and everyone wishes good cheer and glad tidings.

·New Year

Bisperas ng Bagong Taon ("New Year’s Eve") is a festive time in the Philippines. There are a lot of traditions that Filipinos follow in the belief of ushering in a prosperous New Year.The peole in Numancia celebrate by go all out with the noise on New Year’s eve like firing fireworks,dringking outside thier homes,blowing horns.

· All saints day
November 1 majority of the Numancia population observe All Saint's Day (Araw ng mga Patay). During the Araw ng mga Patay the people in Numancia remember their dead, clean the graves, and decorate them with flowers. While the purpose is somber, the effect is a picnic, full of merrymaking and laughter. Everyone goes to the cemetery, and some even stay overnight.

Occasions in the Community:

·Fiestas

Fiestas Numancia are held to celebrate different patron saint .

Beliefs of the People:

Numancia Aklan Albasan Grand Binayle 23 May 2012 Vol 006 ...

Barangay/Local Officials:

The municipality of Numancia comprises 17 barangays.

Albasan
Aliputos
Badio
Bubog
Bulwang
Camanci Norte
Camanci Sur
Dongon East

Dongon West
Joyao-Joyao
Laguinbanwa East
Laguinbanwa West
Marianos
Navitas
Poblacion
Pusiw
Tabangka

Aklan, Numancia, Laguinbanua West, Barangay Chairman, Alvin M Nabor
Aklan, Numancia, Laguinbanua West, Kagawad 1, Iluminado C Briones Jr
Aklan, Numancia, Laguinbanua West, Kagawad 2, Yolanda M Toriano
Aklan, Numancia, Laguinbanua West, Kagawad 3, Allan S Macahilig
Aklan, Numancia, Laguinbanua West, Kagawad 4, Leova G Maypa
Aklan, Numancia, Laguinbanua West, Kagawad 5, Maribeth G De Miguel
Aklan, Numancia, Laguinbanua West, Kagawad 6, Emily T Nadal
Aklan, Numancia, Laguinbanua West, Kagawad 7, Edna A Apolinario
Aklan, Numancia, Laguinbanua West, SK Chairman, Jhyra Lyn A Beltran

Recreations of the Community and the People:

-There are a lot of place's in Numancia that you can relax an have some fun like on the Nadal Castle at Laguinbanwa West, Doña Crispina Beach Resorts in Barangay Navitas this are the spot most family goes when they want to have a family bonding .

Family concerns and practices:

Municipalities Total Population Percent Male Female

Numanacia 24,614 5.46 12,354 12.260
-Average children of 4 per family and most of the practice family planning.People in Numancia usually married at the age raging from 24-30 years old.Most of the people want to have job outside the country to have a better living.The best about this town is the people are helpful and have respect in each other.

Specialties, delicacies, products of the community:

Numancia is well known for banana chips, but other dishes include binakoe - chicken cooked inside bamboo and ibos - sweet rice flavoured with ginger and cooked in a banana leaf.