The Ati-atihan Festival of Kalibo, Aklan is arguably one of the most awaited events in the Philippines, drawing thousands of devotees and tourists every year. This unique Filipino festival is a celebration of the cultural heritage of the province and features parades and processions for days on end.
KASAFI or Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan Foundation Inc., in their website https://kaliboatiatihan.ph details the schedule of activities and events for 2013's festivities:
9-DAY NOVENA
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.
May we see you in Kalibo.