Kalibo ‘Ati’ prize eyed at P1M

KALIBO, Aklan — The local government of Kalibo here is seeking to put up at least P1 million as cash prize for the upcoming Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Festival in 2023.

Kalibo Mayor Juris Sucro's spokesperson Mark Sy said that the newly created Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival Board, however, disclosed that they have yet to determine which contest category will have the P1 million cash prize.

"Kalibo Mayor Sucro, in his first term of administration, wanted to make the Kalibo 2023 memorable and colorful. Sucro has donated his first month salary as seed capital for the 2023 festival," Sy said.

Kalibo Tourism chief Rhea Rose Meren, meantime, said that the "Opening Salvo" of the Kalibo Sto. NIno Ati-atihan Festival held Saturday afternoon was already historic.

"There are 64 tribes who participated and we see the influx of huge crowd witnessing the Opening Salvo," Meren said.

The holding of the "Opening Salvo" was a tradition of Kalibo as a sign of the four months long preparation of the festivities. The Kalibo Sto. Nino is considered as the Mother of Philippine Festivals, giving inspiration to several festivals in the country such as the Dinagyang of Iloilo, Masskara of Bacolod and even the Sinulog of Cebu.

The preparation includes organization of the Search for Miss Mutya ng Kalibo, Dog Show competitions, car and motor shows, among others.