Ati Masks from the hands of the Masters

If you look close enough, you will be able to see a different side of Kalibo in just a day. Seems like everything is as ordinary as any other cities you pass by … narrow streets filled with shops and vendors, food stalls everywhere, people gathered in front of their houses for a drink or two… but, in a small humble shop, I came to see a man quietly doing these intricate and unique souvenir items... Ati masks, necklaces and wall decors are his main products. With his bare and skillful hands, Felino Tansinco takes his time to work with his masterpieces. Learning the skill from his father, Feliciano Tansinco Sr., who started this craft and souvenir shop more than 50 years ago, they are the only people who produce these souvenir items in Kalibo. Black masks with different facial expressions, combined with colorful designs serves as a nice wall décor, souvenir or art work. Felino is able to finish one mask in just an hour. This quiet and shy father and son tandem cannot beat the noise and merry making the ati-atihan is making for they have preserved more than a culture, but an art that can be kept and preserved for years, an item that will remind us of the history and craftsmanship of every Filipino that comes our way.

Re-enactment of the Barter of Panay

During the Ati-atihan festival, a short musical play was performed in the magsaysay park of Kalibo, where students re-enacted the Barter of Panay. A combination of music, dances and colorful costumes truly captured the attention of the crowd and cheers can be heard during the highlights of the act. The re-enactment brings back the rich history and culture of the people.

BARTER OF PANAY

Ati-atihan started in the year 1212, when Malays led by chieftains called Datus packed themselves in several boats, or “baeangays”, and crossed the seas to escape the unpopular regime of Sultan Makatunaw. They landed on Panay Island and established the first community of the brown race in the country, and the first union of states in Southeast Asia, the Confederation of Madyaas.

The story is told that after the collapse of the Sri-Visayan Empire, Brunei was conquered by the cruel and greedy Sultan. Widespread discontent under his rule led to a popular but unsuccessful uprising. The rebels, led by the Sultan’s chief minister, Datu Puti, decided to leave Brunei and seek a better life in a new land.

Under the cover of darkness, they sailed forth. Guided by the stars and favored by the tropical winds, they reached the islands of Sugbu (Cebu), Parawan (Palawan), and Buglas (Negros) but proximity to Brunei discouraged settlement. Plagued by rough seas, disease, hunger and thirst, they were bound for Romren (Romblon) when others where attracted by the silhouette of mountain summit shaped like a “salakot”, their native hat. And so they landed on the island of Panay, then called Aninipay, after a local plant. They remained in the island Madyaas, “Paradise”. With Datu Puti and his wife Pinangpangan were Datu Bangkaya and his wife Katurung, Datu Paduhinog with his wife Ribungsapaw, and Datus Dumangsil, Balkasua, Paiburong, Dumangsul, Lubay and Dumalugdog – 10 Datus in all, plus their loyal subjects.

After landing they sought audience with the native tribe, the Atis, and their chief Marikudo. After several weeks of negotiation the Atis offered the plains of Panay for one summer’s catch from the sea, various gifts, including a necklace for Maniwangtiwang, Marikudu’s wife, and, last but not the least, a golden salakot.

A glorious celebration followed. A sumptuous meal and the unending flow of “tuba”, the native wine, led to uninhibited merry-making. The Malays, as a gesture of friendship, smeared their persons with soot from the Ati cooking fires in imitation of the Atis facial decoration.

Spontaneous dancing to the native music of Malays and Atis lasted until the wee hours of the morning. This was the first Ati-atihan.

Three hundred years passed and a new influence came to Panay. The Spanish conquistadores arrived with sword and cross, evangelizing, baptizing and introducing the Santo Niño. Today, Santo Niño is venerated with great reverence during the festival, the Kalibo Sto. Niño Ati-atihan.