Dear American,

My name is Jasmine. I am currently living in the Philippines. Since I hear you’re coming in the month of January, you’re going to run into a very fun time of the year for us. This time of year is the ati-atihan festival for us. It is a huge thing were we celebrate for this is Santo Nuno, or in your translation infant Jesus.

For us the Ati-Atihan Festival  a big deal to us. People call it the mother of all Filipino festivals. This feast lasts a week, that’s how big of a deal this is to us. This festival is on the 3rd week of January. Every year it is in these three islands in Kalibo, Aklan, Panay. The biggest area where this is celebrated is Kalibo. A big creative part of this celebration are all the bright colorful costumes.There are several parades during this time full of the costumes I talked about, huge floats, and tons of awesome street dancing. Something else that is very important to this is the mass, which is a major part of this festival.

The great thing about this festival is that it brings people to celebrate something so fun and a major part of our culture. This festival wants people on the sidelines to join in. Even if your just a tourist. It’s very hard not to be drawn into this or get pulled into some into the dances. Another thing that will most likely happen is someone who offer you a drink. Drinks and food. It’s something that they do, I can’t really explain why, but that’s how much this brings us together. So, if someone asks you if you want a drink be kind, say no thank you or yes please. Beware there is a lot of alcohol, so be careful of what you take from people.  

So, as you can see this is a pretty big festival. There is dancing, parades, and lots of food and drinks. You’re going to love it. Everyone does, it’s very hard not to with all the happiness and excitement in the atmosphere. Most of all I hope you enjoy your vacation to this beautiful land.

-Jasmine