KALIBO, Aklan -- Some activities or traditions will be revived to highlight next year's celebration of the Ati-Atihan Festival in this town, an official said.
The newly organized Kalibo Sr. Sto. Niño Ati-Atihan Management Council (Kassmaco) has started preparing for the festival, which is scheduled in January 2020.
Apolonio Zaraspe, Kassmaco chair, said they will revive the old ati-atihan revelry traditions, among them are the reenactment of the arrival of 10 Bornean datus and snake dancing revelry.
Zaraspe also wants to extend the celebration from the current seven days to 10 days.
He said the celebration would start on January 10 and culminate on January 19.
"We will also schedule the opening salvo of the Ati-atihan celebration on the first week of November in time for the Kalibo foundation day," he said in an interview with members of the media at the Pastrana Park in Kalibo.
The Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan Festival is considered the mother of Philippine festivals. (Jun N. Aguirre/SunStar Philippines)