Wednesday 14 December 2011

The Kalibo, Aklan


Kalibo is the capital of the province of Aklan, in the northwest of Panay Island, Philippines. It is a First Class Municipality in the Western Visayas Region practically located at the center of all coastal municipalities of Aklan province. The native Kalibonhon population of about 80,000 explodes to more than 200,000 during daytime being a commercial and educational haven that caters not only to the people of Aklan but also to transients coming from other nearby provinces, cities and countries. As a major tourism gateway, the influx of tourists to Boracay Island catalyzes rapid economic expansion and municipal landscape development. Tourism activity peaks in the heart of Kalibo every January as the yearly celebration of the world-famous Sto. NiƱo Ati-Atihan Festival - normally held during the 3rd Sunday of January, the Mother of Philippine Festivals attracts devotees, revelers, and tourists from different parts of the world to experience the utmost solemnity and unparalleled camaraderie and spontaneity - unique twin characteristics of the Ati-Atihan that truly make it the fiesta of all fiestas.

The term Kalibo comes from the Aklanon word "sangka libo", ("one thousand"), the number of native (Ati aka aeta) people who attended the first Catholic Mass there. After this very first Mass, a celebration was held that was continued annually as the Ati-atihan festival.

From the time of the Spanish colonial administration until the institution of Pilipino as the national language in 1946, Kalibo was spelled as "Calivo".

The municipality has already reached the requirements to be a city but certain issues prevent the municipality from reaching cityhood.

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