THE local government of Kalibo is eyeing a P1 million cash prize for the upcoming Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Festival in 2023.

Mark Sy, spokesperson of Kalibo Mayor Juris bautista-Sucro, said the newly created Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival Board (Kafeb) has yet to determine what contest category the P1 million cash prize will be for.

"Kalibo Mayor Sucro, in his first term of administration, wanted to make the Kalibo 2023 memorable and colorful. Mayor Sucro has donated his first month's salary as seed capital for the 2023 festival," Sy said.

Rhea Rose Meren, tourism chief of Kalibo, said the opening salvo of the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Festival held Saturday afternoon, October 8, 2022, was already historic.

“There are 64 tribes who participated and we see the influx of huge crowd witnessing the Opening Salvo,” said Meren.

The holding of the opening salvo is a tradition of Kalibo as a sign of the four-month-long preparation of festivities.

The Kalibo Sto. Nino is considered the Mother of Philippine Festivals, giving inspiration to several festivals in the country such as the Dinagyang of Iloilo, Masskara of Bacolod and the Sinulog of Cebu.

Preparation includes the organization of the Search for Miss Mutya ng Kalibo, dog show competitions, car and motor shows, among others. (SunStar Philippines)