Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-atihan: The Mother of all Festivals

 Nothing could beat the spontaneous dancing in the street by devotees of Senor Sto. Nino in Kalibo, Aklan

Aklan, the oldest province in the Philippines, organized in 1213 by settlers from Borneo celebrates its world renowned Sto. Ati-atihan every 3rd week of January. History tells that Panay lowlands were inhabited before by the Ati or Aetas headed by their chieftain Datu Marikudo and his wife Maniwan-tiwan. When the Malays came with Datu Puti and other Bornean Datus, Datu Marikudo sold the lowlands to him for a golden “salakot” (wide rained hat) and a floor length necklace for his wife. The Aeta or Ati moved up to the uplands or mountains. To celebrate the occasion, the Aetas or Atis danced using gongs, native drums, bamboo made instruments and others. To join the festivities, the Malays dubbed themselves with soot in order to look like Atis. Later on, with the coming of the Spaniards who introduced Christianity, they made the image of the Child Jesus as the center of the celebration. Thus, the name, Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan.

True to what had been done before in the Barter of Panay, devotees would paint themselves with soot to look like the Atis, carrying the image of the Sto. Niño while dancing in the streets and shouting Viva Señor Sto. Niño. Moreover, anybody can join the street dancing because there is no specific steps to follow – making it more authentic just like before.

Modernization had influenced the two kinds of Aetas or Atis joining the sadsad panaas, the traditional Ati group which uses authentic local native materials ofr their costumes and the Modern Ati Group which uses different colors and designs to make their costumes more attractive. With or without costumes, a devotee cannot fulfill his/her “panaad” without having the “palapak”, “sadsad”, and joining the procession around the town of Kalibo.

The procession which starts at 3:00 pm is headed by the Diocesan Bishop himself. Rain or shine people will religiously join the procession. They dance and jive with the sound of the drums while raising the image of the Child Jesus Christ. Miraculously, one cannot feel tiredness after long day of sadsad. Nobody complains of getting sick because of getting soaked in the rain. The spontaneity of dancing in the rhythm of the drum makes the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Festival, the Mother of all Festivals. Anybody-- locals, visitors, spectators, and tourist may dance and jive in any tribal or modern groups in giving praise to the Child Jesus. Viva kay Señor Santo Niño!