KALIBO, Aklan -- The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) appeals for a “clean” religious revelry as different cities and provinces in the country celebrate this 2020 different versions of festivals in honor of Senior Santo Niño or the Child Jesus.

DENR Secretary Roy Cimatu said that revelers should also be environmentally conscious “unlike what happened during the recent celebration of the New Year’s Eve.”

“I was dismayed during celebrations of New Year’s Eve as tons of trashes are scattered all over the country. I hope the religious festival would be different revelers maintaining the wastes properly,” he said.

The province of Aklan has different local versions of the Ati-atihan including Boracay Island (January 12) while Cebu has Sinulog (January 19) and the Iloilo has Dinagyang Festival (January 26). The Tondo area in Metro Manila also celebrates their own versions of the Ati-atihan.

For several years, many revelers dress up like tribe warriors are using recycled materials as their costumes especially during street dancing competitions. Food festivals are also common in these events. (SunStar Philippines)