Bishop: Respect sanctity of Ati-Atihan fest

Street dancers perform during the Ati-Atihan Festival at Kalibo town in Aklan province. —INQUIRER FILE PHOTO

ILOILO CITY—The bishop of the Diocese of Kalibo has decried the holding of a contest featuring scantily clad men and women as part of activities in this year’s Kalibo Ati-Atihan festival in Aklan province.

In a strongly worded statement, Kalibo Bishop Jose Corazon Tala-oc urged devotees and the Catholic faithful to ensure that the festival would foster devotion to the Child Jesus.

“[B]ecause of the recent unfortunate events that tainted the solemnity of our celebration, we strongly condemn the holding of activities that violate the sense of decency, morality and sanctity of the celebration of the Feast of the Sto. Niño de Kalibo,” Tala-oc said.

The bishop did not cite a specific event but the statement was issued amid an outcry over the holding of “Mr. & Miss Bikini Ati-Atihan 2018” on Jan. 12.

The event, held at Magsaysay Park, a public venue at the capital town of Kalibo, featured men and women in skimpy swimwear.

Residents and devotees raised an outcry after video footage and photographs circulated on social media showing a male contestant wearing only a string bikini bottom and gyrating in front of the audience that included children.

Tala-oc reminded revelers and organizers to focus the celebration on the Sto. Niño and not on revelry, tourism and commercialism.

“Although we cannot deny that the celebration of fiestas is a mix of what is sacred and secular, it should nonetheless (not) undermine the importance of the faithful’s expression of faith,” he said.

“Let this be an occasion for humility and conversion for those who failed to foresee the consequences of their actions,” Tala-oc said.

The Kalibo Ati-atihan, held every third week of January, is considered the oldest among the festivals held in honor of the Child Jesus, Señor Sto. Niño.