KALIBO, Aklan – Take the best spot to watch the best Ati-Atihan event of the year as the Kalibo Sadsad Ati-Atihan is back for an even hotter edition.
The Sr. Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival has been rounding up events for the week, but the grandiose and biggest one is the most-awaited Kalibo Sadsad Ati-Atihan contest.
The event takes over the streets of downtown Kalibo with high-energy street dancing and the pulsating rhythms of drum beats. It will run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 20, the “Bisperas it Kapiestahan ni Senor Sto. Nino de Kalibo.”
Set to be one of the popular events in Western Visayas, the 2024 Kalibo Sadsad Ati-Atihan is something entirely different, which will be celebrated on a grand scale by 34 contingents from Ibajay, Malinao, Banga, Makato, Numancia, Lezo, and Kalibo.
For the first time in decades, locals and tourists alike can expect top-notch and elaborate Ati-Atihan costumes—of all colors, shapes, and sizes—that bring out the very best in designers’ imaginations.
Tribal Big
The grand showdown in the Tribal Big category will feature Black Beauty Boys, Tribu Linabuanon, Vikings, Pride of Libtong, Maharlika, Pangawasan, Tribu Waswas, and Tribu Alibangbang.
The grand winner will receive a whopping P1 million, while the first runner-up will get P300,000, and the second runner-up will take home P170,000.
Consolation winners will get P70,000 for fourth place, P60,000 for fifth place, P50,000 for sixth place, and P40,000 and P30,000 for 7th and 8th places, respectively.
Kalibo mayor Juris Bautista Sucro, also the chairperson of the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival Board, will share P700,000 for the prizes of Tribal Big champion and first runner-up.
Tribal Small
Seven tribes from Kalibo and a tribe from Makato will compete in the Tribal Small category. They are Kabog, Tribu Bukid Tigayon, Tribu Tampogaling, Tribu Ninolitos, Lezo Tribe, Tribu Responde from Kalibo, and D’Kamanggahan from Makato.
The champion will pocket P150,000, the second placer will claim P120,000 and the third placer will take home P80,000. Consolation winners will also get cash prizes.
Balik Ati
For the Balik Ati category, eight contingents from Kalibo, Malinao, Makato, and Ibajay are competing for top prizes. They are Sinikway nga Ati, Tribu Naisud, Tribu Datu Puti, Apo ni Inday, Salimono Tribe, Malipayong Ati, Tribu Maninikop, and Tribu Anono-o.
The grand winner will receive P120,000, while the second-place winner will get P90,000, and the third-place winner will get P70,000. Consolation winners will also claim cash prizes.
Modern Tribal
Participants in the Modern Tribal category are Atras Abante, Royal Scorpio, Bluebirds, La Promesa, Aeang Aeang, OHM Society, Mag-ingkampod, Road Side, Golden Apan, and Bae-ot Bae-ot.
The grand winner will take home P140,000; the first runner-up will receive P100,000; and the second runner-up will get P70,000. Consolation winners will also receive cash prizes.
Special awards
Special awards for best in Kalibo Ati-Atihan street dancing, Ati-Atihan beat and sounds, Ati-Atihan headdress, Ati-Atihan costume, and most disciplined tribe or group to take home P5,000 each.
Also, the grand champions for each category will be given trophies./PN
