Almost everyone in the province of Aklan is pre-occupied with one thing: the first Ati-Atihan festival in the new millennium.
The “Ati-Atihan” festival, which is the biggest, most colorful and internationally known mardi gras in the Philippines, is held to coincide with the feast of the “Sto. Niño” (Holy Child) on the third week of January.
“All the 17 towns, including Kalibo, are preparing for the festival which is expected to be the biggest, noisiest, most hilarious and exciting we’ve ever staged,” said Aklan Gov. Florencio “Joeben” Miraflores, chairman of the Aklan Tourism Development Council.
Kalibo is not the only place in the coutnry which will see Ati-Atihan revelry. In Metro Manila, the Metro Manila Visayan Association (MEMVA) in coordination with the United Aklanon Association of Metro Manila (UNAAM) and Protect Aklan Movement (PAM) groups will hold their Ati-Atihan in Tondo, Paco and Pandacan, Manila; Quezon City and Caloocan City, according to MEMVA spokesman Jose Lazarito.
President Duterte, Tourism Secretary Berna Romulo Puyat and Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority (TIEZA) Chief Operating Officer Pocholo Paragas are among government officials invited to Ati-Atihan festivals in Aklan and Metro Manila.
The non-stop street dancing will culminate on January 19, 2020, the feast day of Sto Niño. The Ati-Atihan will get extensive coverage from local and international newspapers, wire service agencies, and Philippine and international TV networks.
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