216 kilometers south of Metro Manila is the province on Aklan.  Annually, on the third week in January, people from all over trek to this usually quite town of Kalibo for the world famous festival called the "Ati-Atihan."  I found out that this event was based on an actual historical event but also from myths and legends.  Evolving over the years, it is actually a mix of revelry, festivity, and religious pilgrimage to Sto. Niño.  People bring their Child Jesus statues to be paraded while dancing on the streets to relentless drum beats in hope of getting favors or repentance.

I was fortunate to have timed my trip to make it to the final day of the week-long celebration. I flew into Kalibo Airport Sunday around noon time.  After finding a rare available room for the night, we joined our lodging host for a "pa-kain" with lechon on the menu. I then headed out to witness the culmination of the revelry up to the finale torch parade of about 200 groups (called "tribos" or tribes), mostly donning colorful costumes and with painted faces and body around the main streets of Kalibo.

Ati-Atihan was surely a wild and surreal event, reaching near fanatic reverence and tempo as the day progressed and went to the night. I was eventually immersed in the rhythmic and hypnotic trance.  Starting out as a mesmerized witness, I ceased being an observer and became a participant.

Hala, Bira sa Aklan!

Viva Señor Sto. Niño!