In the early morninglight of dawn, the respected Santo Niño image isborne on a decorative banca in a fluvial procession,starting from the mouth of the Iloilo River at Fort SanPedro, winding all the way to the Iloilo ProvincialCapitol which stands on the bank of the IloiloRiver.
If the festival hadto be developed into a major tourist attraction, it wouldbe so big in magnitude and the Confradia thought that itcould no longer cope with the demands of a touristcome-on. The year 1976 also brought another feature ofthe festival. Street celebrations and audienceparticipation were introduced and encouraged.
At that point, theSanto Niño is met by the Hermano-Hermana Mayordevotees, and Ati-atihan tribes. With the SantoNiño leading, the foot procession starts, passingthrough the main streets of the city and ending up at SanJose Church, where a high mass is then celebrated. Asyears went by, the celebration continued to behighlighted by a mass at San Jose Parish at the break ofthe dawn; by a "Kasadyahan" which is the opening event ofthe celebration, also a merrymaking but is a dramatizeddance presentation about the Aeta's survival, the landingof the 10 Bornean Datus in Panay and the colonization;and by dances and more merry making which have become atourist attraction.
As more and more tribes from the barangays, schools and nearbytowns and provinces participate, the contest became morecompetitive in terms of costumes, choreography and sounds. Thetribes compete for the following Special Awards: Best inDiscipline, Best in Costume, Best in Performance, Best in Musicand Best in Choreography. These are aside from the major awardsfor the champion, first runner-up, second runner-up, thirdrunner-up and fourth runner-up. Participating tribes learn todesign artistically and with originality in making use ofIlonggo native materials like dried anahaw leaves, buri orcoconut palm leaves and husks and other barks of Philippinetrees. Choreography was studied and practices were kept secret.Sounds were seen as an authentic medium that keeps the tribesgoing in uniform.
They also include a brief dramatization of how Christianitywas brought to Panay and the arrival of the 10 Bornean Datustelling about the exchange of the Aetas of their land for theBorneans' Golden Salakot (native hat) and a long pearl necklacewhich is also parallel with the Kasadyahan celebration. Duringthe celebration, people participate with the Kasadyahan. Somedressed in Aeta costumes, some paint their faces with blackpaint, some put on colored artificial tattoos and wear otherAeta ornaments. At night, there is public dancing on selectedareas.