| Municipality of Kalibo Banwa it Kalibo |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
| — Municipality — | |||
| Kalibo Town Proper | |||
|
|||
| Nickname(s): Ati-Atihan Town | |||
| Map of Aklan showing the location of Kalibo | |||
|
Municipality of Kalibo
|
|||
| Coordinates: | |||
| Country | Philippines | ||
| Region | Western Visayas Region (Region VI) | ||
| Province | Aklan | ||
| District | Lone District | ||
| Founded | 1949 | ||
| Barangays | 16 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Mayor | William S.Lachica (Bigkis Pinoy) | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 50.75 km2 (19.6 sq mi) | ||
| Population (2010) | |||
| • Total | 75,888 | ||
| • Density | 1,495.3/km2 (3,872.9/sq mi) | ||
| Time zone | PST (UTC+8) | ||
| ZIP code | |||
| Income class | 1st class; urban | ||
| Website | www.kalibo.gov.ph | ||
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. Niño 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.
Contents |
Air travel to Kalibo from Manila is about 45 minutes on a daily schedule with four airline companies flying: the Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Zest Air and Airphil Express. These airlines increase their flights daily during the Kalibo Ati-Atihan Festival in January. Mandarin Airlines and TransAsia Airways have weekly flights to and from Taipei, Taiwan and Philippine Airlines and Shanghai Airlines have chartered flights to and from Shanghai, China; Zest Air have its daily flights to Seoul-Incheon Korea, twice weekly to Busan four times weekly to Shanghai China, once a week Taipei Taiwan and soon in Beijing and Chengdu Korea. Kalibo is also the jumping off point for many international travelers heading to Boracay.
Kalibo International Airport is about ten minutes from the main plaza.
Kalibo does not have any major port or wharf, but the four ports throughout the province are accessible. Three shipping companies (MBRS, Moreta Shipping Lines and Negros Navigation) service Aklan passengers going to and from Manila, Capiz and Romblon. The New Washington port is 20 minutes away from Kalibo, while the port of Dumaguit, also in New Washington can be reached in an hour. Batan port is accessible via Dumaguit and Altavas while travel time to Malay port is approximately two hours. Travel time from Manila to Aklan is 14 to 18 hours through sea travel. The Caticlan Jetty Port is now part of the Roll-on Roll-off (RORO) Strong Republic Nautical Highway which connects Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, and it traverses the municipality of Kalibo going to Capiz and Romblon.
Kalibo is 160 kilometers from Iloilo City, 90 kilometers from Roxas City, and 175 kilometers from San Jose, Antique. Land travel from Iloilo City to Kalibo takes approximately two and a half to three hours, one and a half hours from Roxas City, and three to five hours from San Jose, Antique. All are accessible by bus and minivans. Trips to Caticlan range from 50 minutes to 90 minutes depending on the mode of transportation.
Public transportation around the city is by tricycle, multicab and jeepneys.
Kalibo's main industry is agriculture where the primary product is rice and coconuts. Kalibo is the hub for the Piña cloth industry of Aklan.
The Piña and Abaca cloths are exported to various parts of the world, most particularly North America and Europe. Kalibo is known for other native products such as handbags made of buri leaves which is a favorite for Caucasian females visiting the town. Pineapple silk is considered the queen of Philippine fabrics and is the fabric of choice of the Philippine elite. During the 1996 edition of APEC in the Philippines, world leaders donned a pineapple silk Barong Tagalog from Kalibo during the obligatory class photo.
Kalibo also has a burgeoning meat-processing cottage industry and is beginning to be noticed in the processing of locally made chorizo, tocino and other meat products, particularly with Rosa Foods in the Linabuan Norte district. Remy Nadal Duck Meat is also a well-known processor in the province, located at Magdalena in Kalibo.
Kalibo has tourist boomtown character and is famous not only as a jump-off point to Boracay but as the home of the Philippines most popular, most colorful and wildest festival Ati-atihan. The festival is celebrated during the third weekend of January of every year, and despite little government support to promote the festival, word of mouth amongst tourists swelled attendees coming from all over the world, leading to a shortage of hotels.
Ati-atihan is among the most-copied Philippine festivals. Other prominent and better-funded festivals that has copied the Ati-atihan concept are Iloilo's Dinagyang and Cebu's Sinulog and the Sto. Niño in Manila.
Aside from Ati-atihan, other places of interest in Kalibo is the Bakhawan Eco-Park, dubbed as the Philippines most successful mangrove reforestation project and the Kalibo Museum which serves as a repository of the town's history and heritage.
Aside from above, there's a municipality named Ibajay which have the beautiful river in the province and the beautiful forest.
Being the business center of the province including the neighboring provinces, both small- and large-scale establishments sprouted like mushroom in the municipality.
| Banking Institutions in Kalibo | ||
|---|---|---|
| MetroBank | United Coconut Planters Bank | Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation |
| Bank of Commerce | Philippine National Bank | Development Bank of the Philippines |
| Land Bank of the Philippines | Allied Bank | Bank of the Philippine Islands-Martelino |
| Bank of the Philippine Islands-Sto.Niño | China Banking Corporation | BDO UniBank |
| Philippine Veterans Bank | Philippine Savings Bank | City Savings Bank |
| OK Bank | Microsaver's Bank | Rural Bank of Balete |
| Rural Bank of Banga | Iloilo City Development Bank | OCCCI Savings and Credit |
| First Consolidated Bank | ||
Kalibo is a first class Philippine municipality. As of 2010, it has been administered by Mayor William S. Lachica.
The Kalibo Municipal Hall is located inside the Magsaysay Park, which also serves as the venue for Ati-atihan Nights Activities and other community-related events and gatherings.
Kalibo is politically subdivided into 16 barangays. Mobo was formerly known as Tinigao Bongoe.[1]
| Barangays | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Andagao | Bachao Norte | Bachao Sur | Briones |
| Buswang, New | Buswang, Old | Caano | Estancia |
| Linabuan Norte | Mabilo | Mobo | Nalook |
| Poblacion | Pook | Tigayon | Tinigao |
Ati-Atihan is making one's self like the Ati or Aeta or pretending to be one. Kalibo's "frenzied and raucous" historical and religious festivity observed every second week and culminating on the 3rd Sunday of January came from that intent. Citizens, tourist and pilgrims in this town smear themselves with soot or any blackening substance to look like an Aeta.
Ati-Atihan is believed to have started in the year 1212 when Borneans led by the ten Datus packed themselves in several boats or "baeangays," (barangay) and crossed the seas to escape the unpopular regime of Sultan Makatunaw. They landed in Panay Island and established the first community of the brown race in this country and the first union of states in Southeast Asia — the Confederation of Madyaas.
Few have the knowledge that the first Ati-Atihan was celebrated to seal a peace pact that united two races and peoples — the Aetas and the Malays with totally different cultures and spiritual creeds — to embrace each other and give way to an enduring legacy of reconciliation that gave birth to the Philippine nation. The commemoration of the Ati-Atihan festivals in essence has become significant when the entire nation is being swept with social, economic and political crises.
The saga of this great migration told and related for generation started in the Court of Brunei under the regime of Sultan Makatunaw whose insecurity and greed for power transformed him into tyrant after the collapse of the Sri-Visayan empire and the remnants of its vast territory were at the mercy of the conquering hordes of Madjapahit warriors. The widespread discontent under Makatunaw's rule reached the point of a popular uprising and Datu Puti, his chief minister, with his followers decided to leave and seek peace in a new land.
One night the rebels under the leadership of Datu Puti, stealthily left their "baeangays" and faced the seas for distant unknown destiny. Guided by the stars and favored by tropical winds, they reached the islands of Sugbu (Cebu), Parawan (Palawan) and Buglas (Negros). The topography and the nearness of this islands to the island where they came from discouraged their settling down. They were already bound in their direction of the islands of Romren (Romblon) when they were attracted by a silhouette of a mountain summit shaped like a salakot ("mangkusarok") in the horizon. The group that was already plagued by big waves, strong current, diseases, hunger and thirst in the high seas and whose most valued treasure in their possession they brought in their escape was a "saruk nga bug-os nga bueawan" (golden salakot), interpreted the sighting as a good omen. They changed course and headed toward the beacon of the mountain and landed at the sunrise of the first "Tigueak" in 1212 A.D. in the island of Panay then called Aninipay (named after a plant that abound in the place and whose fine unwashable bristles causes skin eruption and irritation which could not be easily cured). They named the island Madyaas or paradise in contrast to the land they left behind.
With the party of Datu Puti and wife Pinangpangan were Datus Sumakwel with wife Kapinangan, Lubay, Balkasua, Bangkaya with wife Katurung, Paiburong, Dumagsol, Dumalugdug and Paduhinog with wife Ribungsapaw and their selected loyal subjects.
After the landing, they sought audience with Ati Chieftain Marikudo and offered to buy the entire island. After several weeks of negotiation, the plains of Panay was offered for peaceful settling of the Malays in exchange for a golden salakot, brass basins, bales of cloth along with a trinket for Maniwangtiwang (wife of Marikudo) the link of which reached her feet and a harvest for one summer of the produce of the sea, while the hinterlands remained for the Aetas.
A glorious celebration to seal the negotiation followed. The unending flow of native wine (tuba) and the sumptuous meal motivated the start of merry-making. The Malays in their effort to show appreciation and sincerity and to further befriend their host smeared themselves with soot from their cooking utensils to look like Aetas. The uninhibited spontaneous dancing of the two races lasted till the wee hours of the morning to the bet and music of native songs, "bagtoes" and drums of the Aetas and the Malays.
Thus started the first Ati-Atihan which was commemorated by Datu Bangkaya when he first established Madyanos or little paradise (later renamed Aclan which was also changed to Kalibo) at the bank of the Aklan River on the second Tagbueukad (Saturday) of Dagangkahoy (February).
When the ten datus founded their own settlements, Datu Bangkaya, the intellectual among the ten and the chief advisor of Datu Puti, established the town of Madyanos (little paradise) i the west bank of the Aklan river and there he commemorated the purchase of every harvest.
On how the Ati-Atihan became a religious feast, Aklanon historian Beato dela Cruz recounts:
"In 1750, one Fray Andres de Aguirre, a Basque companion priest of Fray Andres Urdaneta and explorer Miguel Lopez de Legaspi baptized in one day 1,000 inhabitants of the town and surrounding settlements in the place. To celebrate the eventful day, the drums of Aklan were sounded for this beneficial event and coincided with the existing Ati-Atihan feast. Thus, the present Ati-Atihan is tinged with religious fervor is now associated with miracles. Devotees nowadays participate in the street dancing, novena and masses or fall in line at the century-old Kalibo Cathedral just to let their bodies be massaged or rubbed with the image of the Sto. Niño" (de Kalibo).
The young have abandoned the old culture and religious significance in their street revelry and have adopted the modern stance of the computer age. They no longer smear their faces and bodies with soot but instead wear grotesque make-ups (or none at all) and outstanding costumes of their age. Other prefer mere T-shirts or ponchos rather than the tribal garments of the 12th and the 13th centuries.
But the religious belief, the fervor, warmth, fun and gaiety, the pomp and the fun fare, historically and culturally identified with the Ati-Atihan — an expansion of proud customs and traditions and enduring legacy of peace and reconciliation — have remained untarnished through the passing of time from the celebration of the purchase of Panay in the year 1212 from chief Punuan Datu Bangkaya to Aklan Encomiendero Antonio Flores, from Cabeza Juan Matanga to Mayor Raymar A. Rebaldo. For culturally, only Kalibonhons throughout the centuries have consistently given significance to this historical legacy as they possess the natural love for festivities. Every Kalibonhon's soul and soaring spirit "has the gift of rhythm and passion for music."[2]
Kalibo, composed of 16 barangays is the capital town and center of education, political, social, economic, religious and institution building of the Province of Aklan. It is particularly located at the center of all coastal municipalities of the province where the big Aklan River has its mouth. It lies in the western part of a 100 km2. diamond-shaped line from a point between the Poblacion of Malinao and Banga to Barangay Mabilo (New Washington), from Mabilo to Aklan Point (Kalibo), from Aklan Point to Poblacion Makato and from there, returning to the origin between Malinao and Banga. It has a cadastral location of North to South between 11˚40’22” N and 11˚40’00” S, from West to East between 122˚ 20’ 27” W and 122˚ 25’ 00” E.
It is classified as a first class municipality since 1990 with a total land area of 5,075 hectares or 50.75 square kilometers and its terrain is level to nearly level. It has a projected population of 66,452 in 2004, having a population growth rate of 1.57% and a population density of 13.09 persons/hectare.
The place is popular for its Ati-atihan Festival, the “Mardi Gras” of the Philippines. It is also associated with pina cloth industry and the most intricately and beautifully woven abaca slippers, handbags and shoes.
The third type of climate predominated the area and seasons are not well pronounced – relatively dry from February to July and generally wet for the rest of the year. Heavy rainfall occur during the months of September to January which is the season for planting of agricultural crops particularly rice which is intensively grown in the interior part of the municipality. The relatively dry season favors large scale planting of cash crops on the rich alluvial plains, coconuts and bananas on the beach sand and riverbanks.
The range of temperature in Kalibo is near constant throughout the year although January to February is relatively the coolest months while May and June are the warmest months.
Road distance from Kalibo to Iloilo is 160 km., to Roxas City (Capiz) is 90 km., to San Jose Antique is 175 km., and to Manila is 216 air km. Commercial land transportation from capital town, Kalibo to Iloilo City takes approximately 2½ to 3 hours, 1 to 1½ hour to Roxas City and 3 to 5 hours to San Jose, Antique. Likewise, approximate distance from Kalibo to the other Municipalities of Aklan are as follows: Altavas – 38.0 kilometers, Balete – 17.0 kilometers, Banga – 8.0 kilometers, Batan – 45.5 kilometers, Buruanga – 88.0 kilometers, Ibajay – 35 kilometers, Lezo – 8.5 kilometers, Libacao – 26.0 kilometers, Madalag (Daguitan Road) – 19.0 kilometers, Makato – 9.0 kilometers, Malinao – 12.0 kilometers, Malay – 96.0 kilometers, Numancia – 4.5 kilometers, New Washington – 10.0 kilometers, Nabas – 44.0 kilometers and Tangalan – 19.0 kilometers.
The approximate road distance from barangay Poblacion to other barangays are as follows; Andagao – 2 km., Bakhaw Norte – 4 km., Bakhaw Sur – 3 km., Briones – 6 km., Buswang New – 3 km., Buswang old – 3 km., Caano – 5 km., Estancia – 2 km. ,Linabuan Norte – 6 km., Mabilo – 6 km., Mobo – 1 km., Nalook – 4 km., Pook – 3 km. Tigayon – 4 km. and Tinigaw – 4 km.
Kalibo, being the educational center of the Province of Aklan, has establishments in all levels of education. The services offered range from pre-school learning centers to technical and tertiary schools, two of which offer post-graduate courses including Bachelor of Laws. The following are the tertiary schools:
| Tertiary Schools (Colleges/Universities) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aircrew Flight Training Academy | Aklan Catholic College | Aklan Polytechnic College |
| Aklan State University | Aklan Technical and Fashion School | Central Panay College of Science and Technology |
| Garcia College of Technology | JAVTES College | Northwestern Visayan Colleges |
| Panay Technological College | Saint Gabriel College | STI College of Kalibo |
| San Lorenzo College of Kalibo | Verde Grande Culinary School | Western Pacific College |
Kalibo, Aklan is a home of achievers with Regional Science High School for Western Visayas, it is a center and spring board for excellence in science, English, and mathematics oriented education with competent graduates who contributes to the country's progress and development. It provides quality science, English and mathematics education for all students to enhance their scientific knowledge, skills and values towards the advancement of the country.
Competitive Entrance tests is given in this school that in every year only 160 students qualify, that's why no wonder why this school is consistent of being a top school in different achievement tests like NAT and NCAE in the Philippines.
| Secondary Schools (High Schools) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Aklan Academy | Aklan Catholic College HS | Aklan Nat'l High School for Arts and Trades |
| Aklan Polytechnic College HS | Aklan Valley High School | CPCST High School |
| Christ the King School | Delacruz Institute of Business and Industry | Infant Jesus Academy |
| Infant Jesus School | JAVTES High School | Kalibo Institute |
| Linabuan National High School | Marian High | Nalook National High School |
| Northwestern Visayan Colleges HS | Panay Technological College HS | Regional Science High School for Region VI |
| Saint Anne Montessori School | Saint Gabriel College SSC - HS | Starglow Center for Academics and Arts |
| Wadeford School | Garcia College of Technology Vocational HS | |
| Pre-Schools and Elementary Schools | ||
|---|---|---|
| ACC Pre-School & Elem. School | Aklan Inter Faith Academy | Aklan Learning Center |
| Andagao Elementary School | Bakhaw-Old Buswang Elementary School | Caano Elementary School |
| CPCST Pre-School & Elem. School | Christ the King School | Estancia Elementary School |
| Holy Child Nursery and Kindergarten School | Infant Jesus Academy | Infant Jesus School |
| Kalibo Elementary School I | Kalibo Integrated Special Education Ctr. | Kalibo Pilot Elementary School |
| Kalibo Sun Yat Sen School | Linabuan Elementary School | Maranatha Christian School |
| Marian High | Mobo Elementary School | Nalook Elementary School |
| New Buswang Elementary School | NVC Pre-School & Elem. School | Pook Elementary School |
| Saint Anne Montessori School | Saint Dominic School of Kalibo | Saint Gabriel English School |
| Starglow Center for Academics and Arts | Three Angels Adventist Learning Center | Tinigao Elementary School |
| Wadeford School | ||
The municipality of Kalibo in its goal to have a healthy environment and thereby realized a healthy community has intensified its health programs and activities. Consequently, it has improved the health situation of the entire populace. The following are the hospitals in Kalibo:
| Hospitals | Clinics |
|---|---|
| Dr. Rafael S. Tumbukon Memorial Hospital | MMG-Aklan Specialty Clinic |
| Saint Gabriel Medical Center | Panay Health Care Center |
| Saint Jude Hospital | Best Care Clinic |
| Aklan Cooperative Mission Hospital | Medway Poly-Clinic |
| Aklan Medical Center | Healthwise Medical Clinic |
Located within the town proper of Kalibo. Accessible by private cars, tricycles and motorcycles. The town's famous landmark where fierce battles ensued between the combined Filipino and American troops together with the Aklanon guerrillas during World War II. A Monument was built to signify the heroic stand of Aklanons. Mortar and other fragments of armaments can be found at the vicinity.
| FM Radio Stations | AM Radio Stations | TV Stations | Cable Networks |
|---|---|---|---|
| *RGMA RU FM (Super Radyo) DYRU-92.9 FM | Bombo Radyo DYIN | ABS-CBN TV-9 Kalibo | Aklan Cable TV |
| DYYM (CBIS) Hot FM 98.5 | Radio Mindanao Network DYKR | GMA TV-2 Kalibo | Kalibo Cable Network |
| MBC Love Radio DYKL-100.1 FM | IBC Radyo Budyong DYRG | Studio 23 Kalibo | |
| Bay Radio DYKY-99.3 FM |
|
|||||