Joshua Emmanuel H.

Pagulong April 29, 2019

BS Chemical Engineering V PhilArts 1- MTh 8:30-10:00

I have attended several festivals such as Sinulog of Cebu, Dinagyang of Iloilo, Ati-atihan of
Kalibo, Sandugo Festival of Bohol, and Sinu-og Estokada of our town Jagna, Bohol. For me, Ati-
atihan of Kalibo stood out among the others. Ati-Atihan Festival honors the Infant Jesus, Sto. Niño
but actually traces its pagan roots back to 1200 AD. There are a few versions of how Ati-atihan
came about. One is the welcome feast that the Atis gave to the 10 Bornean datus after a riddled
trade of land for textiles, brass basins, a golden “salakot” & a long necklace. Then there’s the
story of thanksgiving where the Atis sang & danced for the new settlers in saving them from
famine. Just this year, the festival ran for 18 days long instead of the traditional 10-day
celebration. There were several events lined up from pageants to street dancing and several
others. The highlight for me was the Street Party Sad-sad wherein several tribes dance on the
street all day long portraying like Atis in their colorful outfits. I have observed the passionate
body movements portrayed by the dancers and as well as the audience that took part in their
dances through the streets. Unlike other festivals where the spectators just stand on the side of
the streets and watch, Ati-Atihan encourages interaction of performers and spectators
disregarding whatever gender, social class, and ethnic group you’re in. I have felt their passion
wherein the meaning of thanksgiving and celebration lives within the heart of the performers
and spectators. One thing that I have noticed for the competition aspect is with that fact that
with good quality of clothing and colorful accessories comes with the expense of greater
investment of money which somehow created a gap for local Atis and privately supported tribes
wherein the local Atis had simpler indigenous costumes which negates their chances in winning
the competition. Nonetheless, the celebration is never about who won or not, it is about praise
and thanksgiving to the patron saint Sr. Santo Niño and also to showcase and preserve the local
Ati tribe culture.