My Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival 2025 Experience
Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival is considered to be the “Mother of all Philippine Festivals.” As it is my first time celebrating the Ati-Atihan Festival, I am just as excited as all who patronize the Child Jesus (Señor Santo Niño). Celebrated every January in Kalibo, the Ati-Atihan Festival is one of the grandest festivals in Visayas and in the Philippines, kicking off the festival season in the country.
Read also: My Iloilo Dinagyang Festival 2024 Experience
My Ati-Atihan Festival 2025 Experience
Since my friends are coming from Boracay, I have also decided to meet them and fly via the Caticlan Airport. Via Caticlan, there is a short 1.5 to 2 hours ride (bus or van) going to Kalibo town proper. Mind you, too, that Kalibo has its own airport (serviced by AirAsia Philippines, Philippine Airlines, and Cebu Pacific).
When I arrived in Kalibo from Caticlan, the Sadsad Ati-Atihan Competition and the Individual Costume Design Competition were ongoing in the town proper so I rushed my way to the event route and saw the festivities happen.
It was a merry-making festival and everyone on the streets were just dancing and waving their Sto. Niño statuettes along the streets of Kalibo. The vibrant colors of the tribes’ costumes captures the essence of the phrase, “Hala Bira!” every drum beat made everyone dance (me included!) and show their devotion to the Child Jesus. Ati-Atihan is considered to be one of the most religiously-rooted festivals in the Philippines, alongside the Sinulog Festival in Cebu and Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo – all celebrated in the month of January.
Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma! Origins of the Ati-Atihan Festival
“Hala Bira!” – a common cry of the festival performers expressing their enthusiasm in celebration of the feast of Sto. Niño. “Pwera Pasma!” loosely means ‘to get away from any harm or sickness’ asking for the Child Jesus’ intercession for guidance throughout the year.
Originally celebrated as an animist festival in celebration of the anitos of the local Ati people, Ati-Atihan came to life during the Spanish colonization period where the Spanish colonial government introduced the Santo Niño in a ‘fiesta system.’
From now on, Ati-Atihan has been dubbed as the “Mother of all Philippine Festivals” as it started before the colonization period (1200s) and all festivals in the country trace its roots and patterns to the merrymaking done during the Ati-Atihan Festival!
Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival 2025 Photos
Here’s to many festivals this 2025! We’re born to travel!
About Aldrick 'chiki' Agpaoa
