Hello mga Biyaheros!
The Philippines being the bastion of Christianity in Asia are pre-dominantly Catholics and up to this point in time, Filipinos values old customs and traditions.
Fiesta celebration is one important tradition handed from generation. The event served as the venue of thanksgiving for bountiful harvest or good health to its Patron Saint. From time to time, the celebration served also as a means of promoting Tourism in one area, a perfect venue to showcase not just the history or heritage of a place but to promote their product and expand the market.
In Panay Island, residents are always looking forward to celebrating two important events, The Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo and the Ati-Atihan in Kalibo. Both are equally popular since the first day they held celebrations which attracts local and foreign tourist.
The Ati-Atihan Festival
The Ati-Atihan festival is referred as the “Mother of all Festivals”, and held annually in Kalibo, Aklan on the 2nd to third week of January. Devotees, local and foreign tourist flocks to Kalibo to experience merry making starting with the nine-day devotional novena for the Holy Child Jesus, Sto. Nino. This year 2018, the event will kick-off on January 12 onwards to January 21, 2018.
Annual activities include selection of Mutya It Kalibo, Higante Contest, Kalan-an sa Plaza, local product promotion, Car Show and Art Exhibits. The highlight which is the street dancing, wherein participants paint their faces with black soot (like the native Aetas) and garb in colorful costumes.
The Dinagyang Festival
Another event not to miss is the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo, which is held on the fourth Sunday for the month of January, right after Sinulog of Cebu and Ati-Atihan of Kalibo.
Said religious cultural activities is celebrated to venerate the Holy Child Jesus, Santo Nino. The festival also commemorates the arrival of Panay Island of Malay settlers and the selling to them of the island by the Aeta and the arrival of the replica of the original image of Santo Nino de Cebu which was brought to Iloilo by Fr. Enderez of Cebu as a gift to the Parish of San Jose. After then the event is observed annually, and its celebration now includes Ati Tribe competition, Kasadyahan Cultural competition, showcasing the talents of the students depicting the rich cultural heritage of the province of Iloilo and the selection/coronation of Miss Dinagyang which served as the highlight of the event.
Another attraction of the event is the Mascot/ 6-foot Giant named Dagoy. With dark brown skin tone wearing a headress with an image of the Santo Nino, garbed with a camel-colored loin clothed which is a typical attire of an Aeta, with hands and feet adorned with a multi colored bracelets, typical attire of a Dinagyang warrior.
How to get to the island of Panay?
Iloilo and Kalibo are both located in Panay Island, which is located on Region VI and is accessible for travel by sea and air. Regular flights from Manila direct to Iloilo and Kalibo with the leading airline companies. However, should you wish to travel from Manila by boat, it is only accessible with the Manila to Iloilo schedule with the leading shipping company 2Go Travel.
From Iloilo if you wish to visit Kalibo, you may take a bus or a Van for an approximately 4-hour travel by land.
Here are shipping guide should you wish to take time and join the celebration of the two Festivals’
2Go Travel Manila to Iloilo/Vice Versa Boat schedule
Iloilo to Bacolod 2Go Ship schedule
2Go marine vessel St. Therese of the Child Jesus has a weekly schedule for the Iloilo to Bacolod route every Sunday at 4:00 PM on the dates of January 07, 14, 21, and 28, 2018.
Bacolod to Iloilo Fastcraft Schedules
SuperCat of 2Go Travel, OceanJet and Weesam Express are alternating with an hourly interval for the Bacolod to Iloilo and Vice Versa route daily from 6:00 AM to 5:00 PM with an estimated travel time of One and a Half Hour.
Regular Vessels for Bacolod to Iloilo and Vice Versa
Montenegro Shipping, Millenium and Tri Star Megalink are alternating every 2 Hours for the Bacolod to Iloilo and Vice Versa route with approximately 2 to 3 hours travel time.
Iloilo to Cagayan de Oro and CDO/Iloilo 2Go Ship schedule
St. Therese of 2Go Travel left Iloilo port for CDO with a weekly schedule every Saturday at 3:00 AM on the dates of January 06, 13, 20, and 27, 2018.
From Cagayan de Oro, St. Therese will travel back to Iloilo at 11:00 PM every Saturday of January 06, 13,20, and 27, 2018.
Cebu to Iloilo Shipping Schedule
Monday/ Wednesday/ Friday 6PM Trans-Asia Shipping
Tuesday/ Thursday/ Saturday 7PM Cokaliong Shipping M/V Filipinas Ozamis
Wednesday 6PM Cokaliong Shipping M/V Filipinas Nasipit
Iloilo to Cebu Boat schedule
Tuesday/ Thursday/ Saturday 6PM Trans-Asia Shipping
Wednesday/ Friday/ Sunday 7PM Cokaliong Shipping M/V Filipinas Ozamis
Thursday 7PM Cokaliong Shipping M/V Filipinas Nasipit
Iloilo to Puerto Princesa Vessel Schedule/Puerto Princesa to Iloilo trips
Montenegro Shipping and Milagrosa Shipping Lines are serving the route Iloilo to Puerto Princesa for 4 weekly trips with a stopover at Cuyo Island. Travel time is approximately 24 hours.
Iloilo to Guimaras Island and Vice Versa Boat schedule
Various Pumpboat operators are serving the Iloilo to Guimaras and Guimaras to Iloilo route. Multiple trips daily with a 15-minute interval from 5:30 AM to 7:30 PM. Travel time is approximately 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
Check your favored location now and look for the most accessible route to attend in time for the two Festival – Dinagyang and Ati-Atihan. Dance to the beat of the drums and enjoy the moment to the max.
Sakay na and don’t miss the fun! Hala Bira!!!
Check also other post – “Iloilo Boat and Ferry Schedule” as your guide para masulit mo ang iyong bakasyon, as well as other articles on Shipping and Travel in our previous posts.
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