Over PHP3.6 million in prizes have been allocated for the winners of the tribal competition of Kalibo, Aklan’s Señor Santo Niño Ati-Atihan Festival set on Jan. 17.
Some 62 tribes are competing in four categories of the Tribal Competitions – modern, traditional, tribal (big) and tribal (small).
A PHP5,000 cash prize awaits winners of special awards, including best in headdress, costume, street dancing, beats and sounds, and most disciplined tribe/group for every category, totaling PHP100,000 for four categories.
The champion and the six runners-up for the Tribal big category, or those with 60 members and above, will take home a total of PHP1.89 million, with the grand winner taking home PHP1.1 million.
The Tribal small category, or those with 59 members and below, has a PHP580,000 prize allocation, with the champion assured of PHP200,000.
The modern tribal category was apportioned PHP595,000 in total prizes, while the traditional tribal category has PHP445,000.
The champion of both categories will bring home PHP165,000 and PHP145,000, respectively.
A statement from the festival’s media committee on Wednesday said the Kalibo Tourism Office reminds participating groups that the number of drummers should not exceed 50.
“Ang Ati-Atihan Festival ay hindi dahil sa ingay at para maka focus sa kalidad ng magpaparada o ‘sadsad’ (The Ati-Atihan is not about the noise, and for them to focus on the quality of the merrymaking),” the statement read.
The festival, in honor of Señor Santo Niño, officially kicked off on Jan. 9 and will culminate on Jan. 18.
To ensure security, the Philippine National Police will deploy 2,980 personnel, while the local government will deploy over 2,000 barriers in various festival zones.
The Site Task Group on Security is expecting around 150,000 devotees to flock to Kalibo on the last day of the event, which will be marked by the high mass and a religious procession. (PNA)