Dubbed as the "Mother of all Festivals", Ati-atihan Festival in Kalibo Aklan is another must-see festival in honor of the Senyor Santo NiƱo. Held annually in January and concludes on the third Sunday, you'll get to see different tribe-participants dancing in revelry to the beat of the drums known as the "Sadsad Pasaeamat kay Senyor Sto. NiƱo" along the major streets of Kalibo. They painted their faces with black soots, wear indigenous costumes, carry tribal weapons, some would be in colorful and extravagant costumes and the others with paints all over their body as they show how "to become like Aetas".
The highlight of the festival peaks during 3rd weekend of January. For 2014, it will be on January 18-19, 2014 with the street dancing competition happening along the major streets of Kalibo. There will also be a religious procession and dance happening on the last day of the festival. Although no official schedule has been released, the celebration has always been held on fixed dates, which is the 3rd weekend of January.
Ati-atihan 2014 (Tentative) Schedule of Activities and Highlights of Events
January 18, 2014
TRIBAL, MODERN, BALIK-ATI AND INDIVIDUAL ATI-ATIHAN 2014 CONTEST
Major Streets of Kalibo
January 19, 2014
RELIGIOUS PROCESSION AND DANCE
Major Streets of Kalibo-Cathedral
This post shall be updated as soon the official schedule of activities has been released.
New Route Map of Ati-Atihan Festival 2014 Street Dance Competition
The assembly area for the competing tribes will be at Desposorio Maagma, Sr. Street (near Kalibo Freedom Shrine). Assembly time is at 5:30 AM. It will be a carousel presentation which will start at 8:00 AM along Apolinario Mabini Street then proceed by turning left onto Archbishop Gabriel Reyes Street, then turn left to Cirilo Laserna Street, turns left to XIX Martyrs Street and will finally turn right to Gregorio Pastrana Street.
Ati-atihan Festival 2013 Coverage
You can read my coverage on Ati-atihan Festival 2013 here:
- Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma! Viva Senyor Santo NiƱo!!! My Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival 2013 Experience
- Ati-Atihan 2013's Sto. NiƱo Procession
10 Things To Do in (and near) Kalibo before/after the Ati-atihan Festival
- Visit the Cathedral Parish of Saint John the Baptist (Kalibo Cathedral)
- Visit Museo it Akean
- Take a Walk in the Lush Mangroves at Kalibo's Bakhawan Eco Park
- Swim at Jawili Beach in the town of Tangalan
- Enjoy the cool waters of Jawili Falls in Tangalan
- Visit the century-old Tangalan Church
- Visit Sampaguita Gardens
- Trek to Tigayon Hills
- Go on a food trip at the different dining places in Kalibo
- Visit the cottage industry of PiƱa or Pineapple fiber production
How to Get to Kalibo, Aklan
The fastest way to reach Kalibo is via a direct flight from Manila. Most local airlines have several flights daily to Kalibo from Manila. You may also fly to Caticlan if you wish to visit Boracay first then just take a 2-hour trip by bus or van to Kalibo. However, airfares tend to shoot up during festival season, your best next option (if you're on budget) is to fly-in via Roxas City or Iloilo City, which would take about 2 and 4 hours by van or bus to Kalibo, respectively.
Where to Stay in Kalibo
Kalibo has a several affordable and high quality hotels, hostels, guest/pension houses and inns for you to stay in! Due to the festive season it is necessary that you plan your Ati-atihan Festival trip in advance. Book for your accommodation as early as now as the hotels tend to become fully-booked on the festival week.
The streets of Kalibo will certainly come alive with vibrant tribal costumes and devotees of the Senyor Santo NiƱo as they celebrate Ati-atihan Festival. As they say, you have not experienced a Filipino fiesta unless you've been to Ati-Atihan. So, come to Kalibo and experience one of the most extravagant fiesta in the Philippines!
Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma! Viva Senyor Santo Nino!!!
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Mervin, ikot kami capiz & antique, any suggestion? Thanks!
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