Ati-atihan

 The Ati-Atihan, held every January in the town of Kalibo in the

province of Aklan on the island of Panay, is the wildest among

 Philippine fiestas. Celebrants paint their faces with black soot and

wear bright, outlandish costumes as they dance in revelry during the

last three days of this week-long festival.

The Ati-Atihan, a feast in honor of the Santo Nino, is celebrated on

 the second Sunday after Epiphany. Catholics observe this special

 day with processions, parades, dancing, and merrymaking. The

Santo Ni�o has long been the favorite of Filipinos and devotion to it has been intense ever since an image was first presented to Juana,

Queen of Cebu, in 1521.

Celebrants ape the dance of the Atis, hence the name Ati-Atihan

which means "make-believe Atis." This ritual is said to be the result of the sale of land in Panay by the Ati chieftain Marikudo to Datu Puti

and the Borneans so that they can have a place to settle.