Every third Sunday of January, the town of Kalibo, Aklan in the Philippines celebrates the Ati-Atihan Festival. This is an annual feast that honors the Santo Niño and is considered to be the Mother of all Philippine Fiestas.
The reason for this is because the Ati-Atihan Festival has been the basis of a lot of other celebrations in the Philippines such as the Dinagyang of Iloilo, Halaran of Capiz, Binirayan of Antique, MassKara of Bacolod and Biniray Festival of Romblon.
The word Ati-Atihan simply means to act like an Ati. These are indigenous people of the Philippines, specifically the original inhabitants of Panay Island. They are most recognized as a people with dark skin and curly hair.
The Ati-Atihan Festival is now a celebration in honor of the child Jesus or the Santo Niño. People will paint their faces with black soot and wear bright costumes as they dance, go on parade and be merry during the fiesta.
Here's photo of the Ati-Atihan Festival from Flickr by Mai Geronimo
Ati-Atihan Festival