Purposes
- To present the cultures and traditions of our community.
- To promote tourism in our community.
- To complete the requirements in World Literature subject.
History
In the middle of Spanish rule, Aklan
together with other towns, were fused to comprise the province of Capiz. 3 On
May 31, 1837, Capiz was declared to be a political-military province.4 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, 1956.5
Seven months later, on November 8, 1956, the province was officially
inaugurated6 and the municipality of Kalibo was made its capital.
From
the time of arrival of the Spaniards to Aklan in 15698 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.
Aklan as a Prehispanic Barangay
Unlike other settlements in
ancient Philippines, there must have already been a good number of people
residing along the river of Aclán prior to the coming of the Spaniards
organized in communities. For it can be remembered that in 1569, when Legazpi
arrived in Pan-ay, the Aclánons and Ibahainons fought against the Moro pirates
who frequently devastated these two towns.29 If Aclán has no organized barangay
government, they could not have helped the Spaniards who have sought their help
crush the enemies 30 with its 500 Aclánon volunteers.31 Also on this year
(1569) until 1571 (where Legazpi assigned encomiendas to his officers), the
people of Aclán resided by the river. Aclán, having 2,000 Indios, is believed
to be one of the bigger and organized barangays in ancient times.
The
term Kalibo comes from the Aklanon word "sangkâ líbo", ("one
thousand"), the number of native (Ati aka aeta) people who attended the
first Catholic Mass there. After this very first Mass, a celebration was held
that was continued annually as the Ati-atihan festival.
From the time of the Spanish
colonial administration until the institution of Pilipino as the national
language in 1946, Kalibo was spelled as "Calivo".
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.
Celebrations of the Community
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.
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.
Social
yet religious. Frantic yet formal. A deafening peaceful devotion. That’s the
Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Festival.
A
festival like no other, the event is Akeanon’s version of the Mardi Gras which
has both historical and religious origins. It’s simply one of the most-awaited
parts of the year for every Akeanon from all over the world, a time to reunite,
celebrate, and at the same time glorify the Child Jesus – Santo Nino.
Occasions in the Community
Kalibo Food Festival
Organized by the Kalibo
Ati-Atihan Tourism Council (KATC) and the local government of Kalibo headed by
Mayor Raymar Rebaldo, the festival is Kalibo’s other tourist attraction (the
other is the famous Ati-atihan Festival) to coincide with the feast day of the
town’s patron saint, St. John the Baptist, on June 24.
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.
Beliefs
of the People
 |
| Image of Santo Niño |
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. Niño becomes the center of the faith of the
Aklanos and devotees every third Sunday of January each year. Various practices
such as the palapak 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. Niño 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.
Barangay and 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
Practices of the People
 |
The people of Kalibo rides a tricycle for
transportation.
The youth participates in many religious
organizations.
Recreations of the Community and the
People
Mutya ag Lakan it Kalibo
Kalibo's favorite recreation
is to watch the search for Mutya ag Lakan it Kalibo which is the highlight before the celebration of
the Ati-Atihan Festival, in which the most beautiful and handsome Aklanons join
and compete for the said title. They also have Body Painting competitions,
Poster making and a Photo contest.
Family
concerns and practices
Most of the Aklanon families’ ideal numbers of
children are 3-4; the couples practice family planning but in the rural parts
of Aklan where technology has not reached its peak are not familiar with
contraceptives, thus having more than enough children. Many are contented, and
help are extended to those who need. According to a survey, from 2008-2012,
couples tend to settle down at the age of 22 and above. Most of the Kalibonhons
are in an extended family; more or less three families in one roof, but plenty
are still deciding to have a home to them. But the good thing about the people
of Kalibo is that they go to the church every Sunday to attend the mass all
together.
Specialties, delicacies, products of the
community
Food and Other Delicacies of Kalibo
 |
| The Delicious Binakol na Manok |
 |
| Ibus |
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 rice 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.
 |
| Piña Cloth Weaving |
Potential Spots for Tourism
Beside of the Kalibo
Ati-Atihan Festival, there are more tourist attractions that can be found in
Kalibo which is the:
The
Bakhawan Eco-Park
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, alongside is the Aklan River. |
Tigayon
Hill
The
highest point of Kalibo, trek or hike through the former secret sanctuary of
the province’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
I would like to thank
God for giving me strength and knowledge in creating this blog, and I would
like to thank some persons who helped me to accomplish my work and give me some information which are:
Mr. Joeblas Diaz
Earrl Kenneth Fuentes
Archie B. Dela Cruz
Bea Aguila
Thank you guys!
Credits
