This trade fare was presented to serve as one of the highlights of the Ati-atihan festival. Quality products with the latest designs on famous woven fabrics and fashion accessories, house wares, novelty items, handmade paper products, furniture and furnishings and  processed foods, were displayed and available for local and tourist alike.

The Kalibo Ati-atihan product showcase 2008 is one of the highlights of the Kalibo Ati-atihan festival that opened last January 14 to 21, 2008 at the Kalibo Town Plaza. Their objectives are:
-    To showcase Aklanon’s craftsmanship and ingenuity
-    To increase sales of participating SMEs by at least 10% through spot cash, booked orders and sales under negotiation
-    To generate at least one new entrepreneur
-    To add color and glitter to the world renowed Kalibo Ati-atihan festival.

They are planning to make this trade fare to have it’s permanent home in the Kalibo Town Plaza soon. This will give the Aklanons an opportunity to showcase their products all year round.

Ati Masks from the hands of the Masters

If you look close enough, you will be able to see a different side of Kalibo in just a day. Seems like everything is as ordinary as any other cities you pass by … narrow streets filled with shops and vendors, food stalls everywhere, people gathered in front of their houses for a drink or two… but, in a small humble shop, I came to see a man quietly doing these intricate and unique souvenir items... Ati masks, necklaces and wall decors are his main products. With his bare and skillful hands, Felino Tansinco takes his time to work with his masterpieces. Learning the skill from his father, Feliciano Tansinco Sr., who started this craft and souvenir shop more than 50 years ago, they are the only people who produce these souvenir items in Kalibo. Black masks with different facial expressions, combined with colorful designs serves as a nice wall décor, souvenir or art work. Felino is able to finish one mask in just an hour. This quiet and shy father and son tandem cannot beat the noise and merry making the ati-atihan is making for they have preserved more than a culture, but an art that can be kept and preserved for years, an item that will remind us of the history and craftsmanship of every Filipino that comes our way.