Aklanons gear for Ati-atihan weekend
The lingering effects of the massive flooding seven months ago have failed to dampen the drum-beatings and the melodic tune of lyres in the capital town of Kalibo in Aklan as residents celebrate the annual Ati-Atihan festival this week.
Thousands of tourists have flocked to the week-long festival dubbed as the merriest and most fascinating of festivals held every January in honor of the child Jesus Senor Sto. Niño.
Benny Tirazona, secretary of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Management Board and festival events director, said all hotels and pensions houses in Kalibo and neighboring towns have been booked since last month.
“Boarding houses and private homes have accommodated guests looking for a place to stay during the festival,” Tirazona said in a telephone interview.
The week-long festivities kicked off on Monday with street dancing, live bands and food festivals at the Pastrana and Magsaysay parks, the two main venues of the events.
High school and colleges in Aklan held the “Pagdayaw,” a street-dancing parade on Tuesday along the town's main streets. The next day, it was the turn of teachers from public schools to hold the “Sadsad Panaad” parade.
On Wednesday, devotees from the 17 towns of the province joined the “Higante” parade highlighted by giant images and figures made of paper mache.
From January 14-18, thousands of devotees have flocked to the “Pahilot” or “Paeapak”, where those seeking cure for diseases join a healing rite of the Sto. Niño of Kalibo.
A re-enactment of the “Barter of Panay” was held on Wednesday at the Magsaysay Park.
The highlight of the festivities started on Friday until Sunday when street dancing and merry-making peak.
The Ati-Atihan tribe contest, the main attraction of the festival, will on Saturday followed by a fireworks display in the evening. On Sunday, the festival will be capped with a Mass and procession of tribes and devotees.
Tirazona said that many tribes opted for less costly materials for costumes, props and instruments because of the damage brought by typhoon “Frank.”
The typhoon which struck on June 21 triggered the worst flooding on Panay Island with Aklan among the hardest hit.
Ati-Atihan tribe costumes and instruments were among those swept and damaged by rampaging waters and mudflow that ravaged the town for weeks.
But Tirazona said 32 tribes joined festival this year more than the 28 that participated last year.
The are group in four categories: Aboriginal, Original Tribe (Small), Original Tribe (Big) and Modern.
Tribes under the Aboriginal category will wear costumes made of indigenous materials such as abaca fibers, shell, and feathers and leaves. While those with a maximum of 60 warriors will compete under the Original Tribe (Small) category. Those with more than 60 warriors to a maximum of 120 fall under the Original Tribe (Big) category.
The Modern category groups drive with contemporary costumes and props including
floats and carnival-type designs.
The festival was chosen by the United Nations Committee on Tourism as Asia's best tourist attraction in 1983.
The Kalibo Ati-Atihan is known for its spontaneous merry-making and street-dancing where anyone could join any of the tribes dancing in the main streets of Kalibo.
“Ati-Atihan is about street dancing,” said Tirazona.
He said this year's festival is more significant because Kalibo residents are still coping with effects of the typhoon.
“The festival if a celebration of life and faith to help remove the lingering trauma and to rise up from the destruction,” said Tirazona.