KALIBO, Aklan - The entire province of Aklan now girds for
the holding of the first ''Ati-Atihan festival in the ''new
millennium'' set for third week of January 2000.
All the 17 towns, including Kalibo, are preparing for the festival
which is expected to be the biggest, noisiest, hilarious and
exciting through the years since this is historic, said Aklan Gov.
Florencio Joeben Miraflores, chairman of the Aklan Tourism
Development Council.
Ati-Atihan festival, which is the biggest tourism attraction in Asia
and among the top in the world, coincides with the feast of the
Sto. Niqo (Holy Child) a major celebration in the Catholic world.
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.
Tourism Secretary Gemma Cruz-Araneta and Philippine Tourism
Authority (PTA) general manager Angelito Banayo have expressed
support for Ati-Atihan projects, and are among government officials
invited to Ati-Atihan festivals in Aklan and Metro Manila aside from
President Estrada, Cabinet members, solons and other dignitaries
here and abroad.
Aklan senior provincial member Billie Calizo, committee chair for
tourism of the Sangguniang Panlalawigan (SP), said Ati-Atihan
groups joining the contest for uniqueness, originality and colorful
presentation will receive various exciting prizes. The contest to be
held here will be spearheaded by Kalibo Mayor Diego Luces.
The red-letter day will be on January 16, 2000 culminating the
Ati-Atihan festival and the feast day of Sto Niqo with the traditional
news coverage to be undertaken by the local skycable network
here, and giant television networks including ABS-CBN Channel 2,
GMA Channel7, PTV4, RPN-9, ABC 5 and IBC 13, and foreign TV
teams.
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