Thursday, January 24, 2008

Army Augments, PNP Ensures Crime-free Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival

By Venus G. Villanueva

Army men of 47th Infantry Battalion based at Camp Jizmundo, Libas, Banga, Aklan augmented the forces of the Philippine National Police in Kalibo, Aklan that ensured the peaceful and crime-free celebration of this year’s Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Festival.
According to Captain Antonio Tumnog of the 47th IB, the military force assisted the PNP by manning three boundary checkpoints located in the towns of Banga, New Washington and Numancia which started on January 16, while a squad also stayed at the Kalibo PNP station.
Major highlights of the Kalibo Sto. Niño ati-atihan Festival was observed in the last three days of the festival on January 18-20 starting on January 11 as various activities were held that formally opened the festival.
Some of the major attractions of the festival this year were the Kalibo Ati-atihan Product Showcase at Pastrana Park, where Aklan entrepreneurs, artists and businessmen displayed and sold their products like the exquisite and export-quality loomwoven piña cloth, gifts and houseware, pottery, native delicacies and processed foods, bakery products and ornamental plants; Ati-atihan Nights at Magsaysay Park, the Higante Parade, and Sadsad around Pastrana Park.
The celebration was capped last Sunday, January 20, by a civic and religious procession together with the Ati groups, and the announcement of winners of Higante and Ati-Atihan contests at the Kalibo Magsaysay Park in the evening. /MP

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