Lunes, Enero 14, 2013

Kalibo's Cultures and Traditions


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