Celebrating 2010 Sr. Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival

by ERNESTO T. SOLIDUM

Hectic preparation is on-going for the traditional Ati-Atihan festival of Kalibo. More than 150,000 people mostly guests, balikbayans, and devotees of the Sr. Sto. Niño are expected during the nine day long celebration.

On hand to brief mediamen on Kalibo’s religious event on January 9, 2010 Kapehan forum are Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo, Mr. Ed Gerardo, MPDC, PSI Arnolito A. Laguerta, SPO3 Benny Jones Mendoza, and PO3 Julius T. Barrientos.

Gerardo bared the general schedule of activities namely: Paeapak, 9-days Novena masses, opening mass on January 8, Food festival-January 12-17 at Pastrana Park, Visual Arts Exhibit, Museo it Akean – January 13-17, Nightly Shows – Magsaysay Park, Ati-atihan Products Showcase – Pastrana Park-January 12-17, Higante Parade – January 13 and Street Dancing/Sadsad daily.

PSI Laguerta disclosed that local PNP strength is expanded to 853 personnel mobilizing all uniformed men from PNP, MAF, Tanods, and Traffic Section in the municipality of Kalibo. Identified security group centers are Pastrana, Magsaysay, and Goding Ramos Parks.

Considering the start of election period on January 10, 2010, deadly weapons and ammunitions including toy guns toted around by kids will be prohibited. Intelligence operatives are now in place to monitor malefactors or members of criminal syndicates. Police visibility and assistance on 24 hour duty is meant to avert or discourage shoddy elements from creating chaos and confusion said Police Chief Laguerta.

Traffic section headed by SPO3 Mendoza issues traffic re-routing plan set to be implemented on January 13, 16, and 17. He said the main avenues, like Roxas Avenue, Quezon Avenue and Mabini St., must be cleared of traffic obstructions particularly Ati-Atihan group participants to effect smooth traffic flow in and out of Kalibo Poblacion. Mendoza underscored that sadsad time is between 8:00 in the morning and 10:00 in the evening.
According to Mayor Rebaldo, Kalibo Sr. Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan celebration follows the 2009 format. The only difference is the theme emphasizing on environmental awareness i.e. Balik Ati concept where indigenous materials or recycled wastes are prominent.

A total of P900,000 is budgeted for the celebration by the Sangguniang Bayan of Kalibo, one third of which is subscribed to by Cong. Joeben T. Miraflores.

First aid stations composed of volunteers from Rural Health Unit, Philippine National Red Cross, Aklan Medical Society and PNP/MAF will open up at Pastrana Park, the center of visual and audio sensation heats up. Dozens of participating groups vie for coveted prizes featuring originality, creativity, strength of materials, color, and participation.

Considering that Ati-Atihan is a religious festival, personal restraint dictates that this will not be tainted with political color or business agenda. Despite our religious differences and conviction, worshipping the son of God should not be executed in unruly behavior, drunkenness or mischief.

Deception comes in many guises or forms like worshipping with the lips but actually the heart is far from God. Gaining spiritual strength and blessings do not come from outward display of material things but genuine reconciliation with God. With loving concern on this occasion, let us worship Him in our churches with thanks-giving rather than be enticed with passing wordly pleasures.

Kapehan at Kalibo Plaza Canteen was sponsored by La Esperanza Hotel. Many thanks to the Management.

To our guests, friends, and balikbayans, welcome to Aklan’s Sr. Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan festival! /MP