Bacolod City residents, who are natives of Kalibo, Aklan, have expressed disappointment over the cancellation of many activities in next weekend’s Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Festival due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Among them is former Sugar Regulatory Administration employee Gabriel Alan Motus, who said he had been going home to Kalibo, with his family, for the Ati-atihan annually for more than 50 years to fulfill the “panaad” (vow), pay homage, and show their devotion to Senior Sto. Niño.
Traditionally, the festival peaks on the third weekend of January, with the highlight activities on Sunday, Jan. 17. The Kalibo Ati-atihan is one of the two biggest cultural and religious festivals in Panay, along with the Iloilo Dinagyang, with its highlight to be celebrated this year digitally on Jan. 24.
“I feel sad, very sad to miss the celebration this year,” he said.
Motus recalled that the Panaad name of the Negros Occidental festival apparently originated from his suggestion to local officials then, as inspired by the “panaad” devotion associated with the Kalibo Ati-atihan.
Another Negrense, former sportsman Efren Timtiman, also a native of Aklan, said he would have also gone home to Kalibo for his “panaad” if he were in the country. “My wife, Sally, and I are presently stranded in California where our eldest daughter is living.”
“Tani, Hala Bira, pwera pasma naman,” he added.
Town officials have declared the cancellation of the “sadsad”, a festival highlight, along with other mass gatherings, including street dancing and tribal performance competitions.
In a directive, the local government’s Tactical Emergency Operations Center reiterated on Jan. 7, the cancellation of the “sadsad”, the religious procession of devotees held on Saturday.
The Center also said the Pilgrims’ Mass on Friday held in front of the John the Baptist Cathedral will have a limited crowd but proceedings will be done live through the local cable TV and radio stations, Facebook and other social media platforms.
This way, devotees will have the opportunity to participate in the rites from their homes.
The church has also cancelled the grand parade and procession on Sunday, Jan. 17, with the dawn penitential procession on Jan. 16 modified to a mobile procession minus the participation of the “caros” carrying the Sto. Niño image.
Cancelled, likewise, is the annual procession of Sto. Niño images on Friday, Jan. 8.
Also included in the directive are the ban on liquor, smoking and the “Pampyesta”, a practice of residents and visitors to visit homes to join meal celebrations.
Venus Villanueva, information center manager of the Philippine Information Agency in Kalibo, said festival organizers had to scrap the virtual performances of the competing tribes after health authorities required swab testing and quarantine requirements for about 400 participants who would take part in the videotaping.
She added that similar Ati-atihan celebrations have also been scaled down in at least five other towns in the province in observance of health protocols.
Upon knowing that the religious proceedings in Kalibo will be virtually aired in various digital platforms, Motus said he and his family are looking forward to it if it is the way for them not to miss this year’s Ati-atihan.
And we will do the sadsad at home, he added, as we have the tape recording of the traditional music used in the religious street procession. – AVDC
