Lagawan

“Hala Bira, Puera Pasma!”

Get ready for the annual celebration of Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival is just a month away. The festival is known to be the oldest festival in the Philippines and is now on its 798th year. Ati-Atihan Festival is held in honor of the towns patron saint – Santo Niño (Infant Jesus) every third weekend of January.

Ati-Atihan means “make believe Atis” and it is said that the festival was originally a pagan festival. But after the Spaniards settled down in the Philippines, some Catholic elements were infused in the fiesta, especially honoring Santo Niño. During the fiesta people paint their faces with black soot and wear bright and colorful costumes as they dance in revelry to the rhythms of the drums and shout “Hala Bira, Puera Pasma”.

Here’s the 2010 Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival Schedule of Activities:

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798th Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Festival
Calendar of Activities
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SPIRITUAL STREET DANCING
1st week to 3rd Sunday of January 2010, Major Streets of Kalibo
The true spirit of Ati-atihan. An act of piety to ensure miracle for barren women to bear children, heal the body from maladies beyond medical remedy, prosperity in business or simply for fun and excitement.

9-DAY NOVENA
January 8-16, 2010, Kalibo Cathedral
A traditional religious activity in reverence to the Sto. Niño where believers pledge vows in exchange of blessings and supplications and is gaining worldwide recognition and acceptance for its miracle of healing.

KAEAN-AN SA PLAZA (Food Fest)
January 11-17, 2010, 9:00 A.M.-12 M.N., Pastrana Park
The perfect place to re-energize yourselves. The Food Festival at the town plaza presents fast foods and different culinary specialties from Aklanon, Filipino to international culinary cuisines.

VISUAL ART EXHIBIT
January 11-17, 2010, Museo it Akean
Awe-inspiring paintings and sculptures created by members of the Aklan Visual Arts Association adding vibrance to the various museum pieces for your eyes to feast on.

HALA BIRA ATI-ATIHAN NIGHTS
January 11-17, 2010, Magsaysay Park
Experience an unforgettable and endless dancing and partying with the rumbling and energetic music of live bands starting in the early evening till the wee hours of the morning. Join the crowd in the almost never-ending excitement of “snake-dancing” and enjoy the appetizing food and drinks served at kiosks in and around the park.

ATI-ATIHAN PRODUCTS SHOWCASE
January 11-18, 2010, 8:30 A.M. – 7:00 P.M., Pastrana Park
Showcases beautiful ornamental plants and quality Aklanon products made from piña,abaca,raffia,nito and clay materials handcrafted by local artisans.

PAGDAYAW
January 12, 2010, 2:00 P.M., Major Streets of Kalibo
All out Ati-Atihan street dancing for students from public and private high schools and colleges in Aklan.

SADSAD PANAAD
January 13, 2010, 8:00 A.M., Major Streets of Kalibo
A parade of teachers and faculty from all public schools and colleges in the province of Aklan in their colorful costumes.

HIGANTE PARADE & AKLAN FESTIVALS SHOWDOWN
January 13, 2010, 2:00 P.M., Major Streets of Kalibo
A colorful parade of the festival winners and Sto. Niño devotees from the 17 towns of Aklan highlighted by the giant images of cultural and historical significance.

PAHILOT/PAEAPAK
January 13-17, 2010, Kalibo Cathedral
A unique age-old faith healing rite of the miraculous Sto. Niño of Kalibo that attracts devotees worldwide for curing diseases.

BARTER OF PANAY REENACTMENT
January 14, 2010, Magsaysay Park
The legendary reenactment of the arrival of ten (10) Datus and the Purchase of Panay from the Aetas by the Malays. Witness the origin of the Mother of all festivals unfold before your eyes and its evolution into the present day praisefest.

3 DAYS FINAL HURRAH
January 15-17 2010, Major Streets of Kalibo
Experience 3 days and nights of jubilating revelry with soot-smeared Akeanons, local and foreign tourists dancing in wild abandon to the deafening sound of numerous drums, cymbals and lyres shouting, “Hala Bira Puera Pasma! Viva kay Señor Sto. Niño. Viva!’

DAWN PENITENTIAL PROCESSION
January 16, 2010, 4:00 A.M., Major Streets of Kalibo
Pray the dawn rosary with devotees and pilgrims. A moment of deep silence before the festival music rises into a crescendo.

ATI-ATIHAN CONTEST
January 16, 2010, 7:00 A.M., Major Streets of Kalibo
Tribal and modern groups, Balik-Ati tribes and individually costumed participants dance on the streets to the beat of the drums and lyre in their vibrant and colorful costumes.

BLESSING OF CHILDREN
January 16, 2010, 11:00 A.M., Kalibo Cathedral
Children of different ages gather for the traditional blessing to honor the Holy Child officiated by the Parish Priest.

FIREWORKS DISPLAY
January 16, 2010, 11:00 P.M., Magsaysay Park
A spectacular display of colorful fireworks in the eve of the Ati-atihan’s big day. See the most dazzling show of thousands of vibrant lights as they pierce the night sky.

TRANSFER OF STO. NIÑO DE KALIBO
January 17, 2010, 6:30 A.M., Kalibo Cathedral to Pastrana Park
The traditional transfer of the venerated miraculous image of Sto. Niño of Kalibo from the Kalibo Cathedral to Pastrana Park for the Pilgrims’ Mass celebration. Witness the applause of drums and lyre of Ati Tribes in reverence to the Sto. Niño.

PASAEAMAT
January 17, 2010, 7:00 A.M., Pastrana Park
A 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 worship.

RELIGIOUS PROCESSION
January 17, 2010, 3:00 P.M., Major Streets of Kalibo
Join the Ati-atihan groups “praisedancing” for hours together with their beautifully adorned Sto. Niño caros and devotees carrying Sto. Niño image and bamboo torches that create floods of lights beginning at the town plaza and ending at the Kalibo Cathedral.

PAGPADUNGOG
January 17, 2010, 7:00 P.M., Magsaysay Park
The finale and last hurrah of the three- weeklong festival. After a day of street dancing and gastronomic feast in praise of the Sto. Niño, winners of the Ati-atihan Contest give their last energy as they receive their awards.