spasm)! while doing the “sadsad” or street dancing, tirelessly believing that despite exposure to the elements of sun or rain, one will not get sick while honoring the Santo Niño around the decorated streets of Kalibo.  

Meanwhile, the phrase, “Viva kay Señor Sto. Niño!” which translates to “Long Live, the Lord Santo Niño!” indicates devotion to the child Jesus, Santo Niño.

These phrases that devotees and revelers shout during the sadsad or street dancing, express and show extreme joy and devotion making the celebration unique and sought by tourists turned devotees.

DEVOTION TO THE OLDEST SANTO NIÑO

For some, Ati-atihan Festival is more of a religious aspect as it became a tradition and devotion of the family since their great-great-grandparents.

The Motus family, a prominent name in Aklan, has the oldest Santo Niño image in the province which exemplifies the family’s great devotion to the Kalibo Santo Niño.

As a way of thanking Santo Niño, we ensure that the family goes back here, has a reunion, and performs our devotion and tradition like the pilgrim’s mass, sadsad, and procession with the oldest Santo Niño placed in a platform or caro,” Motus explained.

According to her, the pandemic did not stop the family’s devotion to Santo Niño and she is happy that still, many have participated.

“I’m grateful for Zoom because many were able to celebrate the festival in the comfort of their homes,” said Motus, adding that she was in the United States in 2020, but she did do her best to go back to Kalibo for the Santo Niño Ati-atihan, even if she had to endure the permits and processes for her travel back to Kalibo.

In 1975, former President Ferdinand Marcos, Sr. and his wife, Imelda R. Marcos   visited Kalibo and joined in the celebration of Kalibo Señor Santo Niño Ati-atihan Festival as they attended the Holy Mass held at the town’s plaza (Kalibo Pastrana Park). A photo release by Manila Bulletin showed that the old age Santo Niño image of

Unlike other festivals where people stand as onlookers on the sidelines, Ati-atihan allows and encourages people to be part of the merry-making.

With this vibe, the festival likewise provides a positive impact on the economy as devotees, revelers, and tourists flock to Kalibo during the festival thus, many Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Kalibo are looking forward to this event as they see it as an advantage to their businesses.

GROWING WITH THE SANTO NIÑO

Christopher “Tope” Manalo is originally from Libas, Banga but has been a resident of Kalibo since college venturing into the T-shirt printing business as a side hustle while in school.

“Kalibo Santo Niño Ati-atihan really helped my business to keep it growing. This is the time that I accept T-shirt printing more than five folds than I used to during ordinary days,” Christopher said, adding that he is very thankful that the celebration in this town gradually comes back as it used to before the pandemic.

Christopher was forced to close his business in 2020, which he just formally launched in October 2019.

“Luckily, when I decided to reopen it in 2022, in time for the 2023 Ati-atihan, I earned more profit than I expected. It is more than my return on investment (ROI) that at this moment, I am enjoying the fruits of my labor. Thank you to Kalibo Santo Niño,” Christopher said, honoring the Santo Niño.

And just like how he started, when he had huge orders like for this festival, he would hire students from Aklan State University to provide them extra income.

objective was for business, sharing my talent, and introducing our art,” said Arnold.

Acknowledging that his talent as a tattoo artist is a gift from God, Arnold said he pursues going to Kalibo every year even if Kalibo is a bit far from Bacolod.

“Sa tuod lang malayo na sa akon ang Aklan kay sa Negros pa ako halin. Tapos sa subong budlay na gid abi magkuha permit, kag syempre nagmahal naman akon upa sa akon pwesto. Napamangkot ko man gani if makabawi ako sa akon gingasto. Pero sa dugay ko na ini ginahimo nagiging way ko naman ini nga pagpasalamat sa babaw kag gasalig lang man ako sa Iya ah (In fact, Aklan is quite far from Negros and it is now difficult to secure a permit. I’m not even sure if my income from here would be able to compensate for my expenses. But I’ve been doing this for a long time as a way of my thanksgiving and faith in Him),” Arnold said.

With its gaining popularity and incorporating many activities, the festival is more than a religious celebration, it has become a cultural celebration as well.

But to the elders of Kalibo, the Kalibo Santo Niño Ati-atihan Festival is everything. It depends on who celebrates it.

For Kalibonhons who grew up as devotees of the Santo Niño and have a “panaad” (vow), the Festival is more of a religious celebration, just like the Motus family.

“I’ve seen it grow and I’ve seen it transformed. From religious, to cultural with a historical touch, but seeing the celebration through times, I’m happy nga nagabalik man gihapon ang tawo sa church (I’m happy that people still go back to the church),” Cecil stressed.

Same with Christopher, Arnold, and most of the people who keep on coming back to Kalibo every third week of January who acknowledge that there are religious, cultural, and economic elements to the festival but ultimately, they come to give honor and gratitude to the child Jesus, Santo Niño.

Hence, the festival name, Kalibo Señor Santo Niño Ati-atihan Festival, and not just Kalibo Ati-atihan Festival. It is a festival in which religious and cultural elements merge, creating an iconic mark that devotees and revelers never tire of chanting, “Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma! Viva Kay Señor Sto. Niño!” (AGP/SQP/PIA Aklan)