Filipino communities abroad will showcase the rich religious and cultural traditions with their own versions of Ati-Atihan festival in honor of Señor Sañto Niño.
On January 5, the Aklanon Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Association of British Columbia Canada is set to hold its yearly Ati-Atihan at Saint Patrick's Parish Recreation Centre in Vancouver BC Canada.
Aklanons in Winnipeg City in the province of Manitoba, Canada unfold the Ati-Atihan festivities on January 26 with the Aklan Association of Manitoba as the main organizer. The 30th year anniversary celebration will be held at Garden City Community Center in Kingsbury Avenue. Also on January 26, Ati-Atihan activities of United Aklanon Association of Toronto will take place at Taj Banquet Hall in Steeles Avenue West in Toronto City of the province of Ontario, Canada. In Sacramento, California, merrymakers will celebrate the Ati-Atihan on February 9. It will be staged at Jose Rizal Community Center in Florin Mall Drive Sacramento by the Aklan Association of Sacramento and Vicinity, Inc.
The Ati-Atihan celebrations will be highlighted by the traditional paeapak, holy mass, Hala Bira Ati-Atihan contest and blessing of Señor Santo Niño images.
In the province of Aklan, the Ati-Atihan festival is also celebrated in the capital town of Kalibo from January 2 to 20, Makato on January 14-15 and Malinao on January 17-18.
The town of Batan will kick off the celebrations on January 19-20, Ibajay Ati Festival and Altavas Ati-Atihan on January 26-27. Posted 31st December 2018 by yobz
Ati-Atihan fest kicks off January 9 in California BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL KALIBO, Aklan – A Filipino community in California kicks off its own version of Ati-Atihan festival, not in the streets, but in the halls of Jose Rizal Community Center in Sacramento. Organized by the Aklan Association of Sacramento and Vicinity, Inc. (AASVI), the Ati-Atihan festival is celebrated by hundreds of Filipino-Americans in Sacramento, Fresno, Stockton and other areas in California on January 9 in honor of Señor Sto. Niño. The festival is the much-awaited event in California every January for Aklanons starting from 6 p.m. and highlighted by the traditional mass, blessing of Señor Sto. Niño images, dinner, parade of participating tribes and awarding of winners. Now on its 19th year of celebrating the vibrant and religious event, the California-based Filipino community invites the sons and daughters of Aklan from Sacramento and neighboring communities to experience the mardi-gras style festival. The town of Kalibo is known for its original Ati-Atihan festival in the country held yearly every January where tens of thousands of local and international devotees expected to witness the festive celebration with street processions, day and night merrymaking and street dancing. The event is a reenactment of the friendship pact between the Bornean datus and native Atis in the 12th century.
Sunday, February 10, 2008 AKLANONS ABROAD IN ATI FEST Hala Bira 2008! 17th Anniversary Ati-Atihan Festival, Dinner, and Dance
By Carle and Sarah Enloe
CALIFORNIA, USA - After four years, a new leadership team of the Aklan Association of Sacramento and Vicinity (AASV) hosted the 17th Anniversary Ati-Atihan Festival, Dinner, and Dance this past Saturday, January 12, 2008, at the Jose Rizal Community Center, Sacramento, California. Of course, no one could tell that there was any changes whatsoever because the spirit, excitement, and joy of the original Ati-Atihan of Aklan and past Festivals were once again readily evident. That’s the magic of the Festival; it brings together the Aklanons from Sacramento and Vicinity along with the entire Filipino community to showcase their rich cultural and religious traditions of Aklan and the Philippines. This Festival is one of most anticipated celebration in the Filipino community each year. The celebrant for this year’s Mass was Reverend Father Rey Bersabal, Pastor of St. Paul Parish and a Visayan from Bohol. This was the first time that Father Rey had officiated at the Ati-Atihan Mass. From his comments, we learned that he was very happy and honored with the opportunity to join us for the celebration because he is very familiar with the customs and traditions of Señor Santo Niño and the Ati-Atihan celebration. This year, we were fortunate to have all the AASV members here and were able to use the AASV Choir led by Venus O’Meara for the Mass. Following Mass, Cherrie Magalit-Nguyen, Mistress of Ceremony (MC), announced the traditional ceremony of the blessing of the Señor Santo Niño images and statues by Father Rey and invited the guests to participate in the “PAHILOT or PAEAPAK” ceremony. After the blessing of the statues and images, the devotees begin the traditional devotional procession of the miraculous images and statues of the Señor Santo Niño around the hall accompanied by DJ Mel Pagaduan’s music. What a beautiful sight! Each year, there are more and more images and statues. As the procession ended, Father Rey and AASV members held the traditional ceremony of “PAHILOT or PAEAPAK” blessings for the guests. This year’s ceremony had grown substantially larger than previous years. Afterwards, Father Rey gave the blessing for dinner and the guests were invited to enjoy a delicious Filipino dinner prepared by Nida Zabal and her special assistants. She continues to perform her special magic in the kitchen each year as attested to by the delicious dinner that was served. For dessert, the guests were treated to turon and karioka balls. As the guests were enjoying their dinner, DJ Mel Pagaduan kept them entertained with his special music that just keeps generating more fuel to the energy level. It is interesting to note how fast the Rizal Community Center fills with guests. We could definitely feel the energy, anticipation, and excitement of the Ati-Atihan Festival. No matter how many times a person attends the Ati-Atihan, it is intriguing to watch the different tribos (groups) arriving. Year after year, it seems that each tribo has their own unique reserved spot even though there are no reservations and no one questions a tribo as they proceed to their special spot. The Rizal Community Center was totally energized as the guests were impatiently waiting to dance the Ati- Atihan way! After dinner, MC Cherrie introduced Dr. Ciciro Reyes, President of AASV. President Ciciro welcomed everyone and thanked the guests for their attendance and support. He concluded with the traditional shouts of VIVA KAY SANTO NINO! This was the call for the start of the “Ati-Atihan Parade – Hala Bira 2008!” as all the tribos were presented to the guests. Prior to the start of the parade, Sarah Tonel Enloe, immediate past President of AASV, acknowledged all the community leaders present. As she finished, the Aklanon drummers along with Tony Solidum playing the lyre, magically appeared to lead off the parade, as is customary. As they slowly and rhythmically made their way around the room, each tribo in their elaborately decorated costumes joined in the Parade. As each group joined the parade, the energy level just kept increasing! It was unbelievable. Shortly the drummers and Tony on the lyre positioned themselves in the center of hall, playing their hearts out, and setting the lively tempo for the tribos to dance (sad-sad). Naturally, President Ciciro, Sarah, and Elena Magsuci were loudly encouraging the tribos to dance the Ati-Atihan way. Then the Sinag-Tala Tribo joined the procession with their drummers, who joined in the drumming for the parade! The energy level just kept increasing as all twelve tribos participating had joined the parade. The tribos represented were: Igkamporan; the Visayan Association of Sacramento and Vicinity (VASV) led by a Wild Puti – alias Hal Beaudin carrying the VASV banner enthusiastically; Malinao Gladiators; Filipino Women’s Club (FWC) ladies in their elegant costumes; R. J. Banga; Himalayan Goji; the Golden Sons (a new group in a very unique costume); Tribo Gabrielans; Tribo Sinag-a-Tala; Miss Ati-Atihan (another new entry); MCC Sabungan; and Frank and Belinda Yu (another new entry). Everyone immediately took notice of the different tribos and their membership. This year, it was amazing to note the youth in most of the tribos. For example, Miss Ati-Atihan, alias Genesis Magsuci Richards, granddaughter of Elena and Butch Magsuci, is only three years old. Not to mention the Malinao Gladiators, made up of David and Sean Rogan Nguyen and Jacob Rogan Batalla, all cousins and grandsons of Rolly and Tiva Rogan, who are all under eight years old. The Golden Sons Tribo is a predominantly young adult. It is so refreshing to see the renewed interest by the youth in the Ati-Atihan. This year’s parade was phenomenal! The energy level was so high that’s its impossible to describe. By the time all the tribos had joined the parade, the audience had been energized and was on their feet. It was unbelievable! As the tribos slowly left the floor, DJ Mel continued playing for the guests dancing pleasure. Of course, the guests hit the dance floor without a minute’s hesitation. The energy from the parade carried on. Needless to say everyone was having a wonderful time. Later in the evening, MC Cherrie presented the judges. The judges were Elma Taitague, an AASV member and a native of Numancia, Aklan; Ivy Rose, an AASV member and a native of Kalibo, Aklan; and Cherrie Magalit-Nguyen. The judges were all experienced and knowledgeable of the true Ati-Atihan. Following the presentation of the judges, the final parade of tribos was announced. This was the final chance for each tribo to impress the judges. Once again, the Aklanon drummers and Tony on the Lyre led the parade. The energy level of the participants, who had been going all evening, was still sustained out of sight. It was a wonderful to see the room filled with happy, vibrant families. Even the youngest attendees were in costume and participating in the parade. Even little Angelica Tamayo, just one year old, was seen dancing the Ati-Atihan way. It was truly a night to remember, as the tribos kept dancing and swaying to the continuous, rhythmic and hypnotic beating of the drums and the rhythm of the lyre. Finally, the hour of the announcement of the Hala Bira 2008 Winners had arrived. The AASV has established a group of awards based on originality, participation, performance, elegance, rowdiest, organization, uniqueness, artistic, best costumes, patriotic, and several other awards. The AASV wants to recognize, acknowledge, and reward the cultural aspects presented during the Festival. Prior to the starting of the award ceremony, President Ciciro introduced and specially acknowledged all the past AASV presidents: Blas De La Cruz, Necita Ruiz, Elena Magsuci, Venus O’Meara, Sarah Tonel Enloe, and two of the founding members/advisors – Dr. Dionisio Tonel and Tony Solidum. We are proud to announce that the Tribo Gabrielians won 1st place – the Ati-Atihan Award, Most Original, for the third year in a row. The Datu Marikudo Award – Tribo Golden Sons won 2nd Place. The Datu Puti Award – 3rd place went to Tribo Sinag-Tala. The following tribos won consolation prizes: FWC for Most Elegant; Tribo MCC Sabungan for Most Rowdiest; Tribo Frank and Melinda Yu for Most Unique; Tribo Visayan Association for Most Artistic; Malinao Gladiators won the President’s Award; R. J. Banga won the Makato Town Award; Miss Ati-Atihan 2008 won the Kalibo Town Award; Tribo Igkampuran won the Ibajay Town Award; and Tribo Himalayan Goji won the Altavas Town Award. On behalf of the AASV, we would like to thank all our Novena Sponsors: Pastor and Necita Ruiz; Rolando (Jun) and Juby Osit; Dr. Ciciro and Maria Luisa Reyes; Bo and Sorcy Apostol; Roly and Tiva Rogan; Frank and Nida Zabal; Segundo and Aida Azurin; Joseph and Tess Arca; and Jesus and Lydia Tonel. Major Prize Donors: 1stPrize ($250) – Pastor and Necita Ruiz; Second Prize ($200) – Numancia Aid Association; and 3rd Prize ($150) – Dave and Dinnah San Pedro (Philippine Fiesta Newspaper/Five Ds Arts); Consolation Prize Donors ($50): Wallaine Inuman; Tom and Venus O’Meara; William and Juliet Tonel; Carleton and Sarah Tonel Enloe; Rolly and Tiva Rogan; Tony and Marie Solidum; Jesus and Lydia Tonel; Tom and Maricar Nguyen; Frank and Nida Zabal; Butch and Elena Magsuci; Bo and Sorcy; PNDA-LAHI Arts; and Dr. Ciciro and Maria Luisa Reyes; DJ Mel Pagaduan, event committees, members, our loyal devotees of Sr. Sto. Niño, supporters, our Ati-Atihan parade judges, choirs members; the entire Filipino Community, and all others, who in any way, contributed to the success of this wonderful event. We would like to specially acknowledge and extend our heartfelt thanks to Dave and Dinnah San Pedro, owners of the Philippine Fiesta Newspaper/Five Ds Arts, for their continued loyal support of the AASV and the Ati-Atihan Festival. We are looking forward to seeing everyone next year on January 10, 2009. VIVA KAY SR. STO. NIÑO!