Kalibo: Home of the Ati-atihan Festival

Kalibo, the capital of the province of Aklan is one of the oldest towns in the country. It is the center of economic, social, political, religious activities and institution building of the province. Kalibo is particularly located at the center of all coastal municipalities of the province.

Kalibo is a first class municipality as classified by BLGF per DOF Order No. 23-08 dated July 29, 2008.  It is composed of 16 barangays, two of which are island barangays.
 

The Ati-atihan

The place is popular for its Ati-atihan Festival, the Mardi Gras of the Philippines.

Ati-Atihan is making one's self like the Ati or Aeta or pretending to be one. Kalibo's "frenzied and raucous" historical and religious festivity observed every second week and culminating on the 3rd Sunday of January came from that intent. Citizens, tourist and pilgrims in this town smear themselves with soot or any blackening substance to look like an Aeta-. This is queer, but true.

Ati-Atihan is believed to have started in the year 1212 when Borneans led by the ten Datus packed themselves in several boats or "baeangays," (barangay) and crossed the seas to escape the unpopular regime of Sultan Makatunaw, Then landed in Panay Island and established the first community of the brown race in this country and the first union of states in Southeast Asia - the Confederation of Madyaas.

Few have the knowledge that the first Ati-Atihan was celebrated to seal a peace pact that united two races and peoples - the Aetas and the Malays with totally different cultures and spiritual creeds to embrace each other and give way to an enduring legacy of reconciliation that gave birth to the Philippine Nation. The commemoration of the Ati-Atihan Festivals in essence has become significant more so now when the entire nation is being swept with social, economic and political crises.

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.

Demographic Profile

Based on the Census of Population as of Aug. 1, 2007, Kalibo had a total population of 69,700 with a population density of approximately 1,523 persons per square kilometer.  The population’s average annual rate of increase is 1.53 from 2000 to 2007. Barangay Poblacion was the most populous barangay with 11,538 inhabitants while Barangay Briones, with 1,068 inhabitants, was the least populous.
 

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 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.

19 Martyrs Shrine -  A tribute to Aklanon revolutionaries of Katipunan who gave their lives to the altar of patriotism. The 19 steps adorning the monument contain the mortal remains of the 19 Martyrs of Aklan and atop is the effigy of Gen. Francisco Del Castillo, the leader of Katipunan in Aklan.

Kalibo Cathedral - Originally built in 1581 and stands as the oldest edifice of worship in the province. It was renovated in 1993 through the spiritual and monetary help of the Aklanons. The church’s renovation designs are one of the last works of the renowned national artist Leandro V. Locsin.

Other Industry

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.

And in the country, the acknowledge center of piña weaving is Aklan.


 

 Other Products

Other products include intricately and beautifully woven abaca slippers, and handbags, shoes, handmade papers and other handicrafts.

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

How to get there 

Kalibo is 45 minutes from Manila and 30 minutes from Cebu City by plane. By sea travel, the town is about fifteen hours from Manila and about eighteen hours from Cebu. Kalibo is also accessible via the Roll on, Roll off (RORO) transport from various points of the country.