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BY BOY RYAN ZABAL
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Wednesday, January 4, 2017
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KALIBO, Aklan – Local government and church leaders reminded the public that the Ati-Atihan Festival is to be held in reverence of the Child Jesus.
But while it is mostly about Santo Niño, the annual event is also a celebration of culture and human life as a whole, they said.
“The Santo Niño tells us that we are God’s children,” said Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc. “He continues to remind us … to spread the reign of the kingdom of the Father throughout the world.”
The festival will be held from Jan. 6 to 15.
“We love Señor Santo Niño so much. May this love be translated into the message of this Divine Child that each of us put on humility, simplicity in action and respect of person,” Tala-oc said.
“May our Santo Niño Ati-Atihan celebration gain for us the wisdom and the grace to defend the sanctity of life, especially the infants, the unborn and marriage,” he added.
Meanwhile Gov. Florencio Miraflores described Ati-Atihan as “a happy blend of all aspects of Aklanon life.”
It is “a demonstration of the Aklanons’ godliness, [their] special reverence of the Holy Child,” said Miraflores.
“As we keep in step in the tempting rhythm of the Ati-Atihan drums while chanting prayers to the Holy Child, let us bear in mind that we are keeping a commitment that dates back to our forefathers and shall live on with our descendants,” he said.
For his part Mayor William Lachica said the festival “remains to be our pride and an icon of the rich culture, colorful tradition, and strong faith and devotion to Señor Santo Niño of the Kalibonhons and Aklanons.”
“May this festivity strengthen our faith as we continue to face the challenges of life and in promoting our culture,” said Lachica. (Aklan Forum Journal/PN)
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