CEBU, Philippines - Many festivals are celebrated in the Philippines on the month of January in dedication and devotion to the Santo Niño or the Holy Child Jesus. Here are some of those celebrated in various parts of Western Visayas, as listed in the website of the Department of Tourism (www.tourism.gov.ph):
ATI-ATIHAN Festival
Kalibo, Aklan
Aklanons, domestic and foreign tourists, wipe soot on their faces and wear ethnic paraphernalia and masquerade around town, like Negritos, dancing in the streets to the beat of ethnic troubadours.
BINANOG FESTIVAL
Lambunao, Iloilo
Binanog is celebrated by the Lambunaonos in honor of the Sto. Niño. Binanog means a pool of dance: Binanugan, depicting the movement of the birds; Inagong sayaw-sayaw, a celebration dance; and Dinagmay, courtship dance with lively drum beatings depicting the movement of a bird called “Banog.”
SINULOG (KABANKALAN) FESTIVAL
Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental
Revelers, garbed in distinctively colorful costumes with bare bodies painted in black soot, take to the streets to the riotous and frenzied beats of drums celebrating the feast of El Señor Sto. Niño.
MAKATO STO. NIÑO FESTIVAL
Makato, Aklan
The ati-atihan of Makato dates back before the Spaniards came to sow the seeds of Christianity here. Thousands of Catholic devotees from all over the country and those from abroad join the wholesome, frolic and religious fervor of thanksgiving to the Holy Child Jesus.
KINARADTO FESTIVAL
Buenavista, Guimaras
This cultural festival makes maximum use of the rich cultural tradition of the oldest town of the province via songs, dances and musical tableau, and in honor of the town’s patron saint, Sr. Sto. Niño.
BATAN ATI-ATI MALAKARA FESTIVAL
Batan, Aklan
Festival participants wear masks made of paper mache and prepared costumes. This is celebrated in honor of the Sto. Niño with merry making for a bountiful harvest, peace and prosperity, street dancing along the streets and plaza of the poblacion.
DINAGYANG FESTIVAL
Iloilo City
A spectacular street merrymaking in honor of the Holy Child Jesus.
IBAJAY ATI-ATI MUNICIPAL AND DEVOTIONAL FIESTA
Ibajay, Aklan
A religious feast in honor of its patron saint Sto. Niño, the holy icon of which is transferred from Ibajay Cathedral Rectory and enthroned at St. Peter Parish Church.
DINAGSA ATI-ATIHAN FESTIVAL
Cadiz City, Negros Occidental
A revelry from sunrise to sunset, with rhythmic beating of drums, in cadence with black soot “ati” performing rituals, all in honor of El Señor Sto. Niño. “Dinagsa” connotes the sudden surge of good things washed ashore, such as the generous catch of fish and other sea foods, which Cadiz is famous for.
HINIRUGYAW FESTIVAL
Calinog, Iloilo