ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL 2015
How would you commemorate the festival of STO. NINO regardless of religious affiliation?Please provide pictures of your experience.
Ati-atihan Festival is a feast in the island of Panay specifically in the town of Kalibo, Aklan,Philippines. We celebrated it on the third Sunday in the month of January. The name Ati-atihan means to be like Aetas. Spanish gradually added a christian meaning. Today, Ati-atihan is celebrated as a religious festival.
We celebrated Ati-atihan 2015 from January 10 to 18. It's been a
very long and enjoyable week for me. We danced in the sounds of
drums,lyres and different tribal music along the street. A streets that
full of people and tourists who wanted to witness the different groups
representing different tribes competing for our attention and prizes.
Of course, I didn't forget the true essence of this celebration. So, as the tradition of Kalibonhon, we attended masses and able to went in St. John the Baptist Cathedral to "paeapak" to the Sto. Nino, another tradition that everybody didn't forget. We believe that the miraculous child Jesus will protect us from harm and illness.
After all, Aklanon was very talented and creative to express their ways of saying, " Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma!". We witnessed several achools performing street dancing, we also enjoyed watching "Higante Parade" with different faces and models of Ati or Aetas like Datu Puti. Although Pope Francis have its own model which really symbolizes our great religious faith.
The highlight of the festival occurs on the last day, the third Sunday of January where the procession begins with a rhythmic drumbeats and dances parading along the street. We really enjoy this festival together with my family and friends. Rain or shine, we celebrated this important event because int he heart of Filipino: faith, history and God were already marked.
