Tribe composed of real Aetas steals show
KALIBO, AKLAN—They didn't need soot to blacken their bodies. Their dance steps were tempered and their costumes modest.
But a tribe composed of real Atis stole the show during the Ati-Atihan tribe parade here on Saturday.
The “Puro Ati” tribe was among the 32 groups that joined the five-hour parade contest along the capital town's main streets and culminating at the Pastrana Park, the town's public plaza.
“We are happy that we have a tribe of our own in this contest,” said Ernie Chaves, 35, a member of the group. He came with his wife Mary Jane and their 3-year old daughter Mary.
This could be the first time that an tribe composed of real Atis have joined the contest, said Toronto-based Patrick Alcedo, who spearheaded the organizing of the Ati tribe. Atis had previously joined the parade but not as an organized tribe in the contest.
“The Atis have not been really represented in the festival and it's unfortunate because the festival is about them,” said Alcedo.
Alcedo, who teaches dance anthropology at the York University in Toronto, said Aklanons in Toronto and in Kalibo helped raised funds to organized the tribe for this year's festival.
They raised around Canadian $500 and around P4,000 from Kalibo. Others gave rice and food. Most of the contributions went to food and coffee for the tribe members.
Alcedo found a community of Atis in Kalibo with the help of friends. The community composed of 11 households mainly rely their livelihood on selling herbs and work as hired hands.
“We hope that the participation of real Atis will encourage more help and support to Ati communities and other indigenous people's groups,” said Alcedo.
The tribe was among those anticipated by thousands of residents and tourists who flocked to watch the parade and join the “sad-sad,” the seemingly endless street-dancing to the beat of tribal drums and irresistible tunes of lyres.
“This is one of the most successful holding of the Ati-Atihan,” said Kalibo Mayor Raymar Rebaldo.
Rebaldo said an estimated 20,000 residents and tourists converged at the Pastrana Park and the surrounding streets on Saturday. This is double the 10,000 who spectators and revelers in last year's festival.
Entire families watched or joined the tribes dancing in the streets up to late in the evening. The crowd was so thick slowing down the movement of tribes along the streets.
Rebaldo said that because of the death and destruction during the massive flooding triggered by typhoon “Frank” seven months ago, the coming of the festival was much anticipated.
Thousands poured into churches especially at the Kalibo Cathedral to attend Masses, to pray before and seek blessings from the Sto. Niño de Kalibo. Many lined up outside the church for the “Paeapak” where devotees seeking treatment for illnesses let their heads and their bodies to be touched by the feet of miniature figures of the Sto. Niño.
Residents said observed the heightened participation of groups, clans and communities to the festival and the street dancing has become livelier and prolonged.
“It's cathartic,” said Kalibo resident Grace Quimpo.
The festival ended with Mass and a procession yesterday joined by thousands of devotees.
Rebaldo said the outpouring of the people in festival showed that the calamity was an eye-opener to remind the people “not to forget God.”