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[av_heading tag=’h3′ padding=’10’ heading=’‘Higantes’ to conquer Kalibo streets anew’ color=” style=’blockquote modern-quote’ custom_font=” size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ custom_class=”]
BY BOY RYAN ZABAL
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KALIBO, Aklan – Higantes will once again dominate the streets of this capital town.
The Higante Contest is an annual competition of giant papier-mâché figures in line with the Ati-Atihan Festival.
The 2017 edition will feature figures dressed as the “Professional Ati,” or “a person engaged in a paid occupation that conforms to standards and the person’s competence,” organizers said.
Sponsored by the Aklan provincial government, the contest will be held on Jan. 12, three days before the Kaadlawan it Kapistahan ni Señor Santo Niño.
The Higantes should be 8 to 12 feet tall and placed on a wheeled platform propelled by persons, said Provincial Tourism Officer Roselle Ruiz.
The parade of the towering figures accompanied by a throng of merrymakers starts around 1 p.m. on corner Desposorio Maagma Street and Mabini Street, and ends at the Pastrana Park.
Relevance, adherence of the figure and design to the contest theme (Professional Ati), artistry, audience appeal and impact, uniqueness, and creativity are among the criteria for judging, organizers said.
Winners will be announced at the Pastrana Park after the parade.
The champion will get P45,000 cash. The second placer will get P40,000; third placer, P35,000; fourth placer, P30,000; and fifth placer, P25,000.
Nonwinning participants will receive from capitol P15,000 each.
A P30,000 subsidy will be given to each participant before the competition. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
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