Hala Bira! Pwera Pasma! - The Kalibo Experience 2013

It has been my long time dream to visit Kalibo for the Ati-Atihan Festival but it was only this year that I made this dream a reality.

I didn't made any research or any plans regarding this trip and just rely on my friend's (Grace) mercy hehehe. Grace is a former co-employee and a dear friend who happens to live in Kalibo. We've been planning to go to her place some four years ago but it was always cancelled. It was only in October when finally I have booked a ticket to Kalibo.

We arrived early at the airport for fear of being late and be left by our plane since it is  peak season for Kalibo. We had a delayed flight but it doesn't make us less excited about the trip. After we're settled in Grace's house, we head on to town for the street party.


The Street Party

kinilaw na sugpo

Enjoying the sounds with some beer and foodie

"Baby you're a fireworks"

All sweat dancing "Kalibo Style"

You didn't experience the "real Kalibo" Street Party unless you danced the SNAKE DANCE

We left the party at 3am. Tired but super happy. I have seen people of all ages, of all walks of life, even foreigners and local tourists celebrate with the locals. Everyone is smiling, laughing, dancing, drinking, and partying. It was a happy occasion and I never heard of any untoward incident or disturbance during the party. It was a happy and peaceful event and for that I give a big CLAP to all the organizers. :D

The Main Event

AtiAtihan Festival is an event held every third Sunday of January in honor of Sto. Nino in Kalibo, Aklan. It comes from the word "ati" a local name for aetas which were the first settlers of the place.  

Atiatihan means to be like aetas/ati or make believe aetas. The dancers of various tribes blackened their skins.
 
The festival is a week long celebration, a week of street dancing and various programs hence the famous "Hala Bira, Pwera Pasma" phrase/song was made.

I asked Grace,  a local of Kalibo "Bakit Hala Bira, Pwera Pasma? Ano ibig sabihin nun?" (Why the word Hala Bira, Pwera Pasma? What does it mean?") She said the people during Atiatihan Festival dances for hours, for days without tiredness and they believe that Sto Nino will not let them get sick. "Hala Bira" = Go Dance "Pwera Pasma" = Without "Pasma"

I visited the church and offered a little prayer . I also happen to experienced the "Palapak" (a local dialect which mean massage), an image of Sto Nino is use to massage your whole body, wherein it was believe that all body pains and sickness will be healed.

It was really a super fun and enjoyable experience. Truly the Mother of All Festivals in the Philippines. I super duper enjoy the street dancing, everyone is in their festive moods, but of course don't forget the real meaning of the festival. I will definitely be back Kalibo. Hala Bira!!! Pwera Pasma!!! VIVA STO NINO!

Some pics courtesy of my friend Grace. Thanks girl