By U.S. News Agency / Asian

The Black Beauty Boys bested seven other competing tribes in the Tribal Big category being adjudged as grand champion in the recently concluded Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Festival this year.

For winning the coveted title, the Black Beauty Boys romped off richer with a pretty sum of P70,000 cash plus trophy as grand prize.

Other winners include Kabog which placed second for P40,000 cash prize while the Libtong Boys of Brgy. Estancia, Kalibo placed third to win P30,000 cash prize.

On the other hand, Tribu Tiis-Tiis of New Buswang, Kalibo and two out-of-town tribes- Maharlika Tribe and Lord Eagles, both from Makato, Aklan, were awarded P10,000 cash each as consolation prizes.

In the Balik Ati category, Lilo-anong Ati and Datu Marikudo of Lilo-an, Malinao, Aklan tied-up as grand prize winners and bagged with P30,000 cash each while Malipayong Ati of Brgy. San Roque, Malinao was declared second place for P15,000 cash prize. Kinantuing Group, also from San Roque, Malinao went home with P10,000 cash as second runner-up.

Also awarded P3,000 consolation prize each were Tribu Ilayanhon of Brgy. Malandayon, Malinao, Tribu Isalacan of Brgy. Lilo-an, also of Malinao and Maninikop of Brgy. Caano, Kalibo.

Meanwhile, Scorpio 11-19 of Poblacion Kalibo was also declared as big winner in the Modern Group category and reaped P30,000 cash as grand prize.

Second placer was Aeang-Aeang Group of Laguinbanua West, Numancia, Aklan for P15,000 followed by Adlaw Gabii ni John of Poblacion Tangalan, Aklan which received P10,000 cash prize.

The Enchanting and Kababaihan groups were also awarded the consolation prize of P3,000 cash each.

In the Tribal Small Category, Tribu Bukid Tigayon won P40,000 grand prize for besting nine other contesting tribes in the said category.

Declared first runner-up was Morongga Tribe from New Buswang, Kalibo (P25,000) while Tribu Alibangbang won second prize (P20,000).

Likewise, Tribu Osman-ians Copradiros, Tribu Hampakan ‘King of Spider’ and Tribu Responde were awarded P7,000 cash each as consolation prizes.

In the individual category, Absurungsong of Rex Manares from Brgy. Aliputos, Numancia , Aklan and Fantastica of Jomar Melgar from Polo, New Washington, Aklan were awarded P2,000 cash prize each for Most Comical and Most Fantastic, respectively.

Also declared co-winners is Jungle Tribe of Alex Sabino from C. Laserna Street, Poblacion, Kalibo and The Golden Sarok of Flash Florentino from Poblacion, Kalibo for Most Symbolic award.

Authentic Customized Ati of Mario Temporosa from Melgar Road, Estancia, Kalibo won the Most Original award.

Also declared co-winners were Frankelyn Avelarde of Mambuquiao, Batan Aklan for his Butterfly Queen and Jay Romer Carsola of Cawayan, New Washington, Aklan for his Recycled Queen received P2,000 cash each for the Most Modern award.

The festival organizer Kalibo Sto. Nino Ati-Atihan Foundation Inc. (KASAFI) has set aside a total of P415,000 budget for the cash prizes in the Ati-Atihan contest as well as to accommodate co-winners in the Individual Category.