Commentary
My PERSONAL take on the 2 weeks extension of the Ati-atihan statement
By: Carla S. Doromal
If you’ve watched the video interview, the mayor was referring to giving emphasis to the religious and spiritual aspect of the Kalibo Seรฑor Santo Niรฑo Ati-atihan Festival. The main day of the fiesta falls on the 3rd Sunday of January but little did some know our activities have already started during the 2nd week of January. For this year, the first event was the Ati-atihan Fashion Festival on January 7, followed by the Binibini Ng Kalibo Ati-Atihan on January 9, and HalabiRun on January 10. Aside from this, the Novena and Pagbisita sa Barrio it Imahe ni Santo Niรฑo have started as well. The schedule of activities was posted on various social media official pages of the LGU and was also shared by the local media entities but these religious activities were not as popular as the other events.
~On the extension for 2 WEEKS, the mayor was referring to giving attention also focusing on various related religious activities during these times. These activities are already known to some who practice this yearly, but Mayor Sucro wants them to be highlighted so some other devotees in Aklan and those coming from different parts of the country can have time to reflect and give honor to Santo Niรฑo and make known that we have these practices that they can participate. The mayor DID NOT mention road closures or any changes in the usual activities or stretching the number of weeks of Ati-atihan to hamper business operations nor extend the happenings during the festival (LITERALLY). NOT even mentioned to give chance to those who created trouble to do it again nor tire those who wants to rest after a long week of merry making, sadsad, etc…
In a fast-pacing world, attention span for watching video interviews or videos really becomes shorter, I believe it’s also imperative to make time and pay attention to details especially in a sensitive issue like this before giving any negative comments. ~~In addition, to those who write about their negative observations, why not have a thorough research first? Or why not sit with the concerned persons for in-depth interviews to get the exact information before attracting negative comments just to gain page insights? To some of the modern writers, journalists, haven’t we sworn to become responsible journalists and taught not to mislead our listeners, readers and viewers? Have we forgotten?
