Originally a pagan ritual, the Ati-Atihan Festival is one of the most-visited festivals in the Philippines. Celebrated in Kalibo, Aklan, the festival was thought to have started in 1200 A.D. when a group of 10 Malay chieftains called Datus, fled from the island of Borneo and settled in the Philippines, and were granted settlement by the Ati people, the tribes of Panay Island.
2010 Ati-Atihan Festival schedule
- SPIRITUAL STREET DANCING – 1st week to 3rd Sunday of January 2010, Major Streets of Kalibo
- 9-DAY NOVENA – January 8-16, 2010, Kalibo Cathedral
- KAEAN-AN SA PLAZA (Food Fest) – January 11-17, 2010, 9:00 A.M.-12 M.N., Pastrana Park
- VISUAL ART EXHIBIT – January 11-17, 2010, Museo it Akean
- HALA BIRA ATI-ATIHAN NIGHTS – January 11-17, 2010, Magsaysay Park
- PAGDAYAW – January 12, 2010, 2:00 P.M., Major Streets of Kalibo
- SADSAD PANAAD – January 13, 2010, 8:00 A.M., Major Streets of Kalibo
- HIGANTE PARADE & AKLAN FESTIVALS SHOWDOWN – January 13, 2010, 2:00 P.M., Major Streets of Kalibo
- 3 DAYS FINAL HURRAH – January 15-17 2010, Major Streets of Kalibo
- ATI-ATIHAN CONTEST – January 16, 2010, 7:00 A.M., Major Streets of Kalibo
- PAGPADUNGOG – January 17, 2010, 7:00 P.M., Magsaysay Park. The finale and last hurrah of the three- weeklong festival. After a day of street dancing and gastronomic feast in praise of the Sto. Niño, winners of the Ati-atihan Contest give their last energy as they receive their awards.
Sources: Wikipedia, The Official Website of the Kalibo Provincial Government
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