Kalibo "Ati-Atihan Festival" starts on the first week up to the highlight third Sunday of of the month of January. It is the ultimate, jubilating, titillating, stimulating, riotous and frenetic aboriginal street dancing to the early primitive pulse and tempo of drums of participating tribes in the full color battle regalia, crowding the principle streets of Kalibo, as they rejoice breathlessly to fulfill their religious vows, make penance or seek for peace or blessings, or for the realization of their dreams and endeavors, drain their year-old worries or inhibitions or simply just for fun as they roam in wild abandon in diverse directions beating their drums with gusto, creating thunders of drumbeats that duplicate the loudest of thunderclaps. Listen noises to the depth of the musical notes and noises from primitive to modern instruments in commemoration of invading Malayan Datus that gave birth to the Philippine Nation and in reverence to the Sto. Niņo or simply watch for the most unique contemporary surprises, the unimaginable or the space age masquerades that spell the difference of the original feast that is "Ati-Atihan" from other festivals.
Highlights of the Ati-Atihan Festival
KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN CRAFTS AND PLANTSFAIR (Pastana Park)
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3rd Week of December to 3rd week of January- A monthlong |
showcase of quality products handcrafted by local artisans for foreign
market and display of plants for your eyes to feast all at giveaway
prices.
ATI-ATIHAN NIGHTS (Magsaysay Park)
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1st week up to 3rd Sunday of January- Unforgettable |
experience of endless merry-making and snakedancing starting
in the early evening to the wee hours of the morning to the
music of the Ati-Atihan beat and songs.
SPIRITUAL STREET DANCING
- Principal streets of the Ati-atihan town of Kalibo
1st week of January culminating in the 2nd week
up to the 3rd Sunday.
The true spirit of Ati-atihan. An act
of penance to make miracle happen among barren
women to bear a child, heals the body from any
illness beyond medical remedy, makes business prosper or dance simple for fun and excitement of it.
BLOODSPORT-COCKFIGHT DERBIES (Kalibo Cockpit Arena)
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1st week to 2nd week of January- Evokes a thousand |
thrills of excitement from its affecionados as they cry for
blood in essence for their cash bets for their chosen
cockwarriors trained as tournament gladiator.
NINE (9) DAYS NOVENA (Kalibo Cathedral)
1st Friday up to the succeeding Saturday of the following week. A Traditional religious activity in reverence to the Sto. Niņo for the fulfillment of annual vows which is gaining worldwide recognition and acceptance for its miracle healing.
PURCHASE OF PANAY REENACTMENT/
MS. KALIBO ATI-ATIHAN PAGEANT (Magsaysay Park)
Thursday of the 3rd week of January. Reenactment of the arrival of the ten (10) Datus and the Purchase of Panay from the Aetas and coronation of the Festival's most beautiful and talented maiden together with other pretty muses of school campuses and barangays.
PAHILOT OR PAEPAK (Kalibo Cathedral)
2nd week of January. A unique age-old faith healing tradition of the Sto. Niņo of Kalibo attracting devotees worldwide for the cure of disease.
FIREWORKS AND DISPLAY (Magsaysay Park)
Saturday night before 3rd Sunday. A spectacular display of colorful fireworks on the eve of the Ati-atihan big day. See the most dazzling sparks of thousand of vibration lights as they pierce the sky.
FIELD MASS (Pastrana Park)
Early morning of the 3rd Sunday of January. an occasion
where devotees flock in solidarity with Ati Warriors, guests
and tourists take part in the highest Christian Faith and
worship in God.
TORCH PARADE AND PROCESSION (Main streets in Kalibo)
Late afternoon to early eveniing of 3rd Sunday of January.
The highlight, the finale and the last hurrah of the three
weeklong Ati-atihan. Join or see the floodlight of thousand
bamboo torches carried by devotees. Chanting Haa Bira!
Viva kay Seņor Sto. Niņo!
