The Ati-Atihan festival

At the luxury hotel in Alicante Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa we always find time for a celebration. Today we are taking you to the Philippines to celebrate the famous Ati-Atihan festival.

The Ati-Atihan is a carnival festival celebrated every year in January in Kalibo, in the Philippines. It is held in honour of the “Santo Niño” (Baby Jesus), it takes places two weeks right after Epiphany.

It is one of the most important and traditional Filipino celebrations. The first Ati-Atihan took place over 700 hundreds years ago. It lasts for a week, ending the third Sunday of January.

The last three days of the Ati-Atihan festival are the most cheerful ones. The Friday mass in the morning gives way to the celebrations on the streets, where people won´t stop dancing until dawn. Sunday begins moving the statue of the “Santo Niño” from Kalibo Cathedral to Pastrana park, where an outdoors mass is held. The festival ends with a huge evening parade.

Besides traditional dances and music, something remarkable about the Ati-Atihan is that people paint their faces with black soot and other paintings. Additionally, special costumes are worn during the last three days of celebration.

If you are also looking for a unique Asian experience, the luxury resort Asia Gardens Hotel & Thai Spa is your place. Enjoy unforgettable days in the heart of Asia in the Mediterranean…