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.

  

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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