Purposes
- Promote tourism in our community
- Share the culture and celebrations of the Kalibonhons
- Promote Kalibo Ati-atihan festival
History
According to Roman A. de la Cruz, the town (Kalibo) was originally
called Akean by the inhabitants, the same as the name of the river in the
place. The word akean itself connotes the warbling of running waters.
In the middle of Spanish rule, Aklan together with other towns, were
fused to comprise the province of Capiz. On May 31, 1837, Capiz was
declared a political-military province. In 1956, Aklan was itself
proclaimed by the Republic of the Philippines by virtue of Republic Act No.
1414,) signed by President Ramon Magsaysay on April 25, 1956. Seven
months later, on November 8, 1956, the province was officially inaugurated and
the municipality of Kalibo was made its capital.
From the time of arrival of the Spaniards to Aklan in 1569 to the early
1600s, the names Aklan and Calivo were used interchangeably to refer to the
town. Aside from these, however, several other names and/or spellings, such as
Calibo, Daclan, Adan, and Calibog have been used.
BARANGAYS:
Andagao
Bachaw Norte
Bachaw Sur
Briones
Buswang New
Buswang Old
Caano
Estancia
Linabuan Norte
Mabilo
Mobo
Nalook
Poblacion
Pook
Tigayon
Tinigao
Practices of the People
- Celebrate the feast of the Sto. Nino every 3rd sunday of January.
- People used to join the procession of the carozzas during holy week.
- Search for the "Mutya ag lakan it Ati-atihan" as a
pre-celebration for the Ati-atihan festival.
- People used to go to church at dawn or "Simbang Gabi" during
the Christmas Season.
- People celebrate the Kalibo food festival.
- People commemorate the heroism of the 19 martyrs of aklan who
consecrated their lives in the cause of freedom against the colonizers.
Traditions of the Community
From the historical point of view as far is tradition is concerned,
the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival in honor of the Sto. Niño is a pagan
festival raised to the level of Christianity where human established customs
and traditions were transformed in a collective display of faith.
Beliefs of the People
Long before the Ati-Atihan Festival was identified with the Sto. Niño,
the Filipinos share a common belief in the redemptive role of the Sto. Niño in
the life of a Christian.
The Diocesan Shrine of Kalibo dedicated to the Sto. Ninño becomes the
center of the faith of the Aklanos and devotees every third Sunday of January
each year. Various practices such as thepalapak and
the pahalik draw a multitude of faithful and believers to the shrine
to venerate the image of the Holy Child, who, over the years, has become the
image of God's fatherly love to His children. The Holy Child's innocent image
brought comfort to countless souls in search of repose and solitude. And most
of all, we, Filipinos have found refuge in the caring arms of a child who holds
the world in His hands.
The Sto. Ninño in his simplicity reminds us subtly that in order for us to go
to heaven, we must be like little children who are innocent from sin, oblivious
to the wicked ways of this temporal world, and full of hope and trust in God,
the Father of us all.
Celebrations of the Community
The Ati-Atihan Festival
The Ati-Atihan Festival is a feast held annually in January in honor of the
Santo Nino, concluding on the third Sunday, in the island and town of Kalibo,
Aklan in the Philippines. The name "Ati-Atihan" means "to be
like Aetas" or "make believe Ati's." Aetas were the primary
settlers in the islands according to history books. They too are the earliest
settlers of Panay Island where the province of Aklan is situated.
The festival consists of tribal dance, music, accompanied by indigenous
costumes and weapons, and parade along the street. Christians, and
non-Christians observe this day with religious processions.
Occasions of the Community
Kalibo Food Festival
The food festival began in 1995 at Kalibo’s S. Martelino Street fronting
the historic Kalibo Pastrana Park . Through the years, it has become a tourism
come-on of the town, aside from the annual Señor Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival
every third week of January.
Specialties, delicacies, products of the community
Food and other delicacies
Delectable food and delicacies in Kalibo include Binakol na Manok
(Native chicken cooked with coconut juice and placed inside the bamboo
tube and cooked over low fire), ibus, (sticky rive wrapped in coconut leaves
and cooked in coconut milk), bibingka and other native munchies, tamiluk
(big worms that grow in the big dead mangrove trees) and the famous Kalibo
longganisa.
Products
Kalibo is also associated with piña cloth industry, perhaps the best
example of superb handmade craft. Whatever fashioned into, handkerchiefs
exquisitely embroidered, worn by women as delicate baro and protective panuelos
sometimes with designs interwoven, or selected as ultra formal Barong Tagalog
by the men, sheer piña immediately displays the fortitude and skill needed to
leave together such fine fibers extracted from pineapple leaves.
Recreations of the community and the people
The town of Kalibo is the capital town of aklan. There are a lot of places here
where you can spend your past time or have some fun. And the best place to have
it is in the town square or the Pastrana park. The town square has a playground
for children's and a basketball court for those who love to play that game.
This is also the place where most of the major events/celebrations of the town
is held here. There is also a mall in Kalibo which is the Gaisano where people
used to go, have some fun or go shopping.
Local Officials
Mayor
Hon. William S. Lachica
Barangay Chairman
Mary Jane Rebaldo
Barangay Kagawad
Nino Rey M Carbona
Neil I Candelario
Reygie A Bongabong
Gil G Sucro
Guadillo Z Morales
Buen Joy D Villanueva-French
Marilyn R Magsisi
SK Chairman
Chennie Kirstie N Villaruel
Common and Uncommon practice of the people
People are fond in joining organizations.
Some youth are active in different religious workshops or activities.
Some people are active in other recreational program by the brgy.
officials.
Family concerns and Practices
Most of the family's in Kalibo are
having an average children of 3 per family and most of them nowadays are
trying to practice family planning. Some families are contented with their
lives here in Kalibo but most are still in search of a good life and they try
to find it in other places. Most of the people want to go in Manila for job
opportunities or if not they try to go abroad. People in Kalibo usually get
married at the age ranging from 25-30 years old. The good thing about the
families in this town is that they usually go to church every Sunday all
together.
Potential Spots for Tourism
Other than the Ati-Atihan Festival, Kalibo is also famous for other
tourist attractions. Several scenic and historic places can found in the
municipality.
The
Bakhawan Eco-Park - is a community-based eco-tourism project located in Brgy. New
Buswang, Kalibo, Aklan. The project models a fruitful partnership between the
community, LGU, Government Agencies and NGOs. It advocates the need to
protect and maintain the environment, in this case - the 170 hectares. mangrove
reforestation project earlier established while giving local communities the
opportunity to increase their livelihood incomes through tourism service
related activities.
Museo
it Akean - The renovated and elegantly designed Museo it Akean serves as the
repository of the province’s cultural heritage. Exhibited here are artifacts
that attest to the rich history of Aklan and the masterpieces of Aklanon
artists.
Tigayon
Hill - The highest point of Kalibo. Trek or hike through The former
secret sanctuary of theprovince’s freedom fighters and see the lush flora
reflective of Kalibo’s natural wealth. On top of the hill, one gets a view of
the length and breadth of the Aklan River, the town of Kalibo and its
neighboring municipalities. Limestone formations are also found in the historic
caves of the hill.
Acknowledgement
This blog project would not be possible without the
support of some people. I would like to express my gratitude to the following
persons for helping me finish my blog as part of the prelim examination in
World Literature. The following persons are:
Joeblas Diaz
Shane F. Kouklis
Earrl Kenneth M. Fuentes
Credits
http://www.nscb.gov.ph/ru6/cityprofile_kalibo.htm
http://www.aklan.gov.ph/
http://en.wikipilipinas.org/index.php?title=Kalibo
- Share the culture and celebrations of the Kalibonhons
- Promote Kalibo Ati-atihan festival
History
BARANGAYS:
Long before the Ati-Atihan Festival was identified with the Sto. Niño, the Filipinos share a common belief in the redemptive role of the Sto. Niño in the life of a Christian.
The Diocesan Shrine of Kalibo dedicated to the Sto. Ninño becomes the center of the faith of the Aklanos and devotees every third Sunday of January each year. Various practices such as thepalapak and the pahalik draw a multitude of faithful and believers to the shrine to venerate the image of the Holy Child, who, over the years, has become the image of God's fatherly love to His children. The Holy Child's innocent image brought comfort to countless souls in search of repose and solitude. And most of all, we, Filipinos have found refuge in the caring arms of a child who holds the world in His hands.
The Sto. Ninño in his simplicity reminds us subtly that in order for us to go to heaven, we must be like little children who are innocent from sin, oblivious to the wicked ways of this temporal world, and full of hope and trust in God, the Father of us all.
Celebrations of the Community
The Ati-Atihan Festival is a feast held annually in January in honor of the Santo Nino, concluding on the third Sunday, in the island and town of Kalibo, Aklan in the Philippines. The name "Ati-Atihan" means "to be like Aetas" or "make believe Ati's." Aetas were the primary settlers in the islands according to history books. They too are the earliest settlers of Panay Island where the province of Aklan is situated.
The festival consists of tribal dance, music, accompanied by indigenous costumes and weapons, and parade along the street. Christians, and non-Christians observe this day with religious processions.
The town of Kalibo is the capital town of aklan. There are a lot of places here where you can spend your past time or have some fun. And the best place to have it is in the town square or the Pastrana park. The town square has a playground for children's and a basketball court for those who love to play that game. This is also the place where most of the major events/celebrations of the town is held here. There is also a mall in Kalibo which is the Gaisano where people used to go, have some fun or go shopping.