Ati-atihan Festival

Ati-Atihan Festival

Kalibo, Aklan

January 12 to 18

A week long festival in the Province of Aklan is the highlight of events in the province during the month of January, it is known throughout the world as the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival and to give you a glimpse of the history and origin, this traditional fiesta is dedicated to the celebration of the Feast of the Santo Niño or the Holy Infant Jesus.

This began as a feast of reconciliation between the immigrant Malays from Borneo and the resident Ati until the Spanish injected some Catholic elements into it It is a three day colorful tribal feast events. It is a gigantic dance and masked ball, in which all inhibitions are thrown to the winds. "Puera pasma! Hala Bira! Viva Santo Nino!". The rousing cries echo through the little town of Kalibo, until the drums fall silent and everyone collapses exhausted.

The Ati-Atihan, held every third Sunday of January in the town of Kalibo in the province of Aklan on the island of Panay, is the wildest among Philippine fiestas. Celebrants paint their faces with black soot and wear bright, outlandish costumes as they dance in revelry during the last three days of this two week-long festival. The Ati-Atihan, a feast in honor of the Santo Niño, is celebrated on the second Sunday after Epiphany. Catholics observe this special day with processions, parades, dancing, and merrymaking. The Santo Niño has long been the favorite of Filipinos and devotion to it has been intense ever since an image was first presented to Juana, Queen of Cebu, in 1521. Although the Ati-Atihan seems to show only revelry, a closer look shows that it has historic origins.

A celebration honoring the Sto.Niño, a harvest thanksgiving, and a 13th-century friendship pact between the native aetas and the Malays. It can be considered the Mardi Gras of the Philippines: a weekend of uninhibited merriment, of endless parades and processions of grouped revelers, soothed and intricately costumed, marching an endless loop of streets, dancing to the continuous, rhythmic and hypnotic beating of drums, while countless Sto. Niño statues are carried by or hoisted over the parading crowds or pushed through small make-do floats. It is a non-stop hyperkinetic street celebration, from morning until dusk, gradually building to a maddening merging of dance, drumbeats and bacchanalia.

The famous ati-atihan festival however, having become a hodge-podge of Catholic ritual, social activity, indigenous drama, and a tourist attraction, the celebration now stretches over several days. Days before the festival itself, the people attend novena masses for the Holy Child or Santo Niño and benefit dances sponsored by civic organizations. The formal opening mass emphasizes the festival’s religious intent. The start of the revelry is signaled by rhythmic, insistent, intoxicating drumbeats, as the streets explode with the tumult of dancing people. The second day begins at dawn with a rosary procession, which ends with a community mass. The merrymaking is then resumed. The highlight of the festival occurs on the last day, when groups representing different tribes compete. Costumes, including the headdress, are made of abaca fibers, shells, feathers, bamboo, plant leaves, cogon, sugar cane flowers, beads, trinkets and an assortment of pieces of glass, metals and plastics. The day ends with a procession of parishioners carrying bamboo torches and different images of the Santo Niño. The contest winners are announced at a masquerade ball that officially ends the festival.

http://www.lakbaypilipinas.com/ati_atihan_festival.html

ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL

Ipinagdiriwang tuwing ikalawa hanggang ikatlong linggo ng Enero kada taon ang pista ng Ati-atihan sa Kalibo, Aklan, bilang pagdakila sa Santo Niño. Nagpapahid ng uling sa mukha at katawan ang mga mananayaw, samantalang patuloy ang ritmo ng tambol na waring nagsasagutan sa himig ng “Hala, Bira!” Makikilahok ang buong bayan sa pista, magbabahaginan ng pagkain at inumin, at isang linggong malalango ang mga lansangan. Hinango ang pista sa maalamat na pagtatagpo ng mga katutubo at ng mga Kristiyanong mananakop, at ang pagsamba sa Santo Niño na malimit hinihingan ng milagro.

Ang selebrasyon ng Ati-atihan ay dinadagsa ng mga lokal at dayuhang turista hanggang ngayon.

Kasaysayan

Noong ika-13 siglo (c.1212AD), ipinagbili ng isang grupo ng mga Ati ang isang maliit na lupain sa mga Malay datus. Ang mga Ati ay ang mga orihinal na naninirahan sa Panay Island. Sa sobrang katuwaan, ipinagbunyi nila ito sa pamamagitan ng pagpinta sa kanilang mukha gamit ang uling upang maging kahawig ang mga Ati.

Ang mga Ati ay kilala sa pagkakaroon nila ng maitim na balat at kulot na buhok, at ang salitang "Ati-atihan" ay may ibig sabihin na "Maging katulad ng isang Ati." Ang kapistahang ito, tulad din ng Sinulog sa Cebu, ay itinuturing na "Ina ng mga Pista sa buong Pilipinas" kung saan ginaya ang selebrasyon na ito sa ibang parte ng Pilipinas tulad sa:

Dinagyang sa Iloilo

Halaran sa Capiz

Binilirayan sa Antique

Maskarahan sa Bacolod

At sa iba pang barangay sa Aklan, Antique at Capiz.

Ang Ati-atihan dati ay isang pagan festival at ito ay unti-unting nagkaroonng kahulugang pang-Kristiyano noong dumating ang mga misyonaryo. Sa ngayon, ang ati-atihan ay ipinagdiriwang sa pagbibigay bunyi kay Santo Nino.

Aktibidad

Ang Ati-atihan ay punung-puno ng makukulay, masasaya na aktibidad gayun din ang kanilang malalim na paniniwala sa pasasalamat sa mga biyayang kanilang natatanggap. Ilang araw bago ang mismong araw ng kapistahan, ang mga deboto ay dumadalo sa siyam na arw na misa para sa Santo Nino at benefit dances. Ang masigla at pauli-ulit na indayog ng tunog ng tambol, kasabay ang pagsayaw ng mga tao sa kalsada ay hudyat ng unang araw ng kapistahan. Pagdating ng ikalawang araw, ang mga deboto ay sama-sama sa rosary procession sa madaling araw na nagtatapos sa isang community mass.

Sa huling araw ng pista, isang makulay na kumpetisyon ang ginaganap mula sa iba't-ibang grupo na kumakatawan sa mga tribo. Maliban sa tradisyonal na pagpipinta ng itim na pintura o pagpahid ng uling sa kanilang katawan, ang mga kalahok ay nagsusuot ng makukulay at mapanlikhang mga kasuotan na kadalasan ay gawa sa abaka, shells, balahibo ng hayop, kawayan, dahon, cogon, at bulaklak. bago matapos ang araw, isang prusisyon ang magaganap kung saan ang mga deboto ay may dala-dalang mga bamboo torches at imahen ng Santo Nino. Ang nagwagi naman sa pista ay ide-deklara sa isang masquerade ball.

Tingnan ito para sa schedule of activities ng 2009 Ati-atihan Festival Calendar of Activities

Panlabas na Kawing

Ati-atihan na hinango noong 26 Disyembre 2007.

Biniray Festival

A festival parade in the sea followed by a celebration in Romblon

Biniray Festival
Location: Romblon
Date: January 9

Fiestas celebrating the Santo Nino, the image of the Holy Child Jesus, are popular in many parts of the Philippines. While Cebu City's week-long Sinulog Festival is perhaps the best known of these celebrations, the province of Romblon annually hosts its own unique festivities in honor of the Santo Nino in the capital town of Romblon. Filled with dancing, music, and a carnival atmosphere, the 2002 Biniray Festival will be held today till the 13th of the month.

The origins of the Biniray Festival date back well over 400 years to the earliest days of European colonialism in the islands. It has its roots in the adoration of the Santo Nino statue of Cebu which, along with Magellan's Cross, is the oldest and most celebrated Christian relic in the Philippines. Crafted by Flemish artisans, the statue was brought to Cebu by Ferdinand Magellan in 1521.

According to tradition, an Augustinian Friar had commissioned an exact replica of the Cebuano Santo Nino and the galleon carrying the statue stopped over in Romblon on its way to Madrid. But time the ship attempted to leave Romblon Bay for Spain, typhoon winds forced the vessel to turn back. The icon was then taken off the boat and brought to Romblon's Catholic Church, where a Mass was offered. At the conclusion of the Mass, when the priest and congregation attempted to return the statue to the boat, the statue miraculously could not be moved.

The Santo Nino resided in St. Joseph Cathedral for over four centuries, but was stolen from the cathedral in 1991 and has not yet been recovered. For the past decade, a replica of the statue has been venerated by thousands of festival-goers who participate in the celebration, which is held the second weekend of
January.

The fiesta is highlighted by a flotilla of vessels that circle Romblon Bay seven times, marking the Spanish galleon's fruitless attempts to remove the Santo Nino from the province. This is followed by a colorful parade of marchers adorned with flowers and brightly painted costumes and faces. They accompany the Santo Nino as it is carried through the streets of the capital aboard a palanquin, a litter held aloft on bamboo poles.

The Biniray Festival is another marvelous opportunity for Filipinos and other travelers to experience the rich history, pageantry, and hospitality of the Philippines. For more information or to plan a trip to attend the upcoming festival, please contact Vernie Velarde-Morales, Tourism Director, Philippine Tourism Office, Chicago, at 312-782-2475, or by e-mail pdotchi@aol.com. For complete details on accommodations and special airfares to Romblon, please contact Delia Saluba Famatigan at Romblon Foundation 630-375-9318, or by e-mail Odiongan@aol.com

http://romblon.homestead.com/traveloguebiniray.html

Black Nazarene Festival

Black Nazarene Festival
Location: Quiapo, Manila
Date: January 9

The Black Nazarene (Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno) that has came all the way from Mexico through a galleon is a life-sized, dark-colored, wooden sculpture (carver is an Aztec carpenter) of Jesus Christ which has been known to be miraculous by majority of the people, especially its Filipino devotees. The black Nazarene is currently enshrined in the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene in Quiapo, Manila, Philippines where novena celebrations are held every Friday throughout the whole year. Roman Catholic tradition holds that the Black Nazarene came from a boat that caught fire, turning it from its original white into black or burnt complexion. For almost 200 years, the Black Nazarene is carried into the streets for procession in a "Caroza" or golden red carriage pulled through the streets of Quiapo by male devotees clad in maroon. Every 9th of January, the feast of the Most Holy Black Nazarene is celebrated while novena masses begin on the first Friday day of the year, in honor of its weekly novena mass held every Friday. This also celebrates the Translacion or the transfer of the image to its present shrine in Quiapo. The devotion to the miraculous Black Nazarene (Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno) has attracted huge following among the public. Its popularity, which initially spread to the northern and southern provinces of Luzon, spread over time throughout the country. Devotees pay homage to the Santo Cristo Jesus Nazareno by clapping their hands in praise at the end of every Mass performed at the Minor Basilica of the Black Nazarene. On its feast during January 9, people believed that whoever touched the Nazarene sometimes has been healed of their diseases. Catholics come from all over Manila for the chance that they will be able to get close enough to touch the image and perhaps even receive a miracle. Some devotees also throw towels or handkerchiefs to the people guarding the statue and ask them to rub them on the statue in anticipation of carrying some of that power away with them.
History of the Black Nazarene Festival

The Black Nazarene statue was brought to Manila by the first group of Augustinian Recollect friars on May 31, 1606. The image was originally housed in the first Recollect church in Bagumbayan (now part of the Rizal Park), which was established on September 10, 1606, and placed under the patronage of Saint Juan Bautista Saint John the Baptist.

In 1608, the image of the "Nazareno" was transferred to the second, bigger Recollect church dedicated to San Nicolas de Tolentino (Saint Nicholas of Tolentine). The Recollect Fathers dynamically promoted devotion to the Suffering of Our Lord represented by the image that in fifteen short years, the Cofradia de Santo Cristo Jesús Nazareno was established on April 21, 1621. The confraternity obtained Papal approval on April 20, 1650, from Pope Innocent X.

Sometime in the year 1787, then Archbishop of Manila, Basilio Sancho de Santas Junta y Rufina, ordered the transfer of the image of the Nazareno to the church in Quiapo, again providently placed under the patronage of Saint John the Baptist. The Black Nazarene made a lot of miraculous things. These are the survival of the image from the great fires that destroyed Quiapo Church in 1791 and 1929, the great earthquakes of 1645 and 1863, and the destructive Bombing of Manila in 1945 during World War II. Today the head and the cross stay on the Altar Mayor of the Minor Basilica, and the original body image of the Black Nazarene is used in the processions. Other, even smaller replica can be found in other churches.

PISTA NG ITIM NA NAZARENO

Tuwing ika-9 ng Enero, ipinagdiriwang ng mga deboto ang Pista ng Itim na Nazareno sa Quiapo, Maynila. Dinudumog ng mga tao ang santong patron ng Quiapo, ang Nuestro Padre Nazareno, na dinala noong siglo 1800 ng Ordeng Recoletos at itinampok sa simbahang nakaharap sa tanyag na Plaza Miranda.

Ang estatwa ng Itim na Nazareno ay isang imahe ni Kristo na kasing-laki ng tao, may maitim ang balat at nililok ng isang Aztec na karpintero at binili ng isang paring taga-Mexico noong panahon ng Galleon Trade.

Ang mga deboto ng Itim na Nazareno ay nagsisimba tuwing Biyernes at tuwing Enero 9, ipinagdiriwang ang kapistahan ng santong patron, kung saan itinuturing ito bilang isa sa pinakamalaki at tanyag na kapistahan sa Pilipinas.

Kasaysayan

Ang estatwa ng Itim na Nazareno ay dinala sa Maynila ng mga pari mula sa Augustinian Recollect noong Mayo 31, 1606. Ang imahe nito ay inilagak sa unang simbahan ng Recollect sa Bagumbayan (na ngayon ay parte na ng Rizal Park), at pinasiyahan noong Setyembre 10, 1606.

Noong 1608, ang pangalawang pinakamalaking simbahang Recollect na inihandog kay San Nicolas de Tolentino (Saint Nicholas of Tolentine) na natapos sa loob ng Intramuros (kung saan nakalagak ngayon ang gusali ng Manila Bulletin) at ang imahe ng Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno ay inilipat dito. Ang mga pari ng Recollect ay patuloy na isinulong ang debosyon sa Paghihirap ni Hesus sa pamamagitan ng nasabing imahe. Makalipas ang labinlimang taon, nabuo ang Cofradia de Jesús Nazareno at itinatag noong Abril 21, 1621. Nakatanggap ito ng Papal approval noong Abril 20, 1650 mula kay Pope Innocent X.

Noong 1787, si Basilio Sanco Junta y Rufina, ang Arsobispo ng Maynila ay nagutos na ilipat ang imahe sa Quiapo, sa ilalim ng pagtaguyod kay Saint John the Baptist.

Ang imahe ng Nazareno ay naisalba sa iba't-ibang kalamidad at digmaan tulag noong nasunog ang simbahan sa Quiapo noong taong 1791 at 1929 gayun din ang lindol noong 1645 at 1863 at ang pambomba sa Maynila noong 1945 noong panahon ng Ikalawang Pandaigdigang Digmaan.

Noong 1998, isang replika ng orihinal na imahe ng Itim na Nazareno ang ipinarada dahil sa pinsalang nakamit ng orihinal na imahe at mula noon, ginamit na ito sa mga prusisyon habang ang orihinal na imahe ay nanatiling nakalagak sa loob ng simbahan. Ang iba pang maliit na replika ng imahe ay matatagpuan sa loob ng simbahan.

Debosyon

Ang debosyon sa Nuestro Padre Jesús Nazareno ay nakahatak ng milyun-milyong mga deboto kung saan nagmula ang katanyagan sa timog at hilagang bahagi ng Luzon at unti-unting lumaganap sa buong bansa.

Ang katangi-tanging debosyon na ito ng mga Filipino sa Itim na Nazareno ay nakapagbigay ng karagdagang papuri mula sa dalawang papa: sina Innocent X noong 1960, sa pagkakatatag ng Cofradia de Jesús Nazareno at Pius VII noong 19th century, sa pamamagitan ng pagbibigay ng indulhensya sa mga nagdadasal sa imahe ng Itim na Nazareno.

Sa kasalukuyan, ang debosyon sa Itim na Nazareno ay patuloy na nagbibigay ng sigla at kapayapaan sa mga deboto sa kabila ng mga sakit, galos, sugat at kung minsan ay kamatayan na nagaganap tuwing prusisyon, at tila 'di inaalintana ng mga deboto.

Mahigit 200 taon nang ipinagdiriwang ang kapistahan ng Mahal na Poong Nazareno at ang estatwa nito ay inilalagay sa isang karwahe tuwing Enero, gamit ang makapal na lubid at ipinaparada sa mga kalye ng Quiapo ng mga debotong lalaki na nakasuot ng kulay maroon. Ang mga Katoliko na nagmula sa buong ka-Maynilaan ay sama-samang dumadayo sa Quiapo upang makakuha ng pagkakataong mahawakan ang imahe o di kaya ay magkamit ng isang milagro. Naghahagis din sila ng tuwalya sa mga lalaking nakabantay sa estatwa ang hinihiling na ipunas ang kanilang tuwalya sa estatwa sa pag-asang madala nila ang milagro sa kanilang pag-uwi.