Giant paper mache figures commonly known as “Higantes” are familiar images in the streets during the weeklong celebration Ati-Atihan festival in Kalibo, Aklan.
The 2017 Higante Contest, sponsored by the provincial government of Aklan, is held on January 12, three days before the Kaadlawan it Kapistahan ni Senor Sto. Nino.
Aklan provincial tourism officer Roselle Ruiz said the “Higantes” of different municipalities measuring 8-12 feet in height should be placed in a wheeled platform and propelled by a person to qualify for the contest.
The figure must be dressed like a “Professional Ati” or “a person engaged in an occupation as a paid job which conforms to the standards and competence of a person.”
The parade of towering ‘Higantes” accompanied by throngs of merrymakers starts at around 1 p.m. at the corner of Desposorio Maagma Street and Mabini Street and culminates at Kalibo Pastrana Park.
The Higantes will be judged during the parade based on relevance and adherence of the figure and design to contest theme ‘Professional Ati”, artistry, audience appeal and impact, uniqueness and creativeness.
The winners of the Aklan Higante Contest will be announced after the parade at Kalibo Pastrana Park.
The champion will get P45,000; second placer, P40,000 and third placer will take home P35,000.
The 4th placer will receive P30,000 while the 5th placer will get P25,000. Non-winning participants will also receive P15,000 from the provincial government of Aklan.
Subsidies amounting to P30,000 each will be given also to all participating “Higantes” before the contest.
BY BOY RYAN B. ZABAL
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