The Ati-Atihan Group of Melbourne will perform at the Cranbourne Fil-Aust Fest 2023: Small Business/investment and Food Fair on 24 September 2023 at 50 Grant Street, Cranbourne.
Participants wearing elaborate and colourful costumes made of feathers and beads dancing to the beat of the drums will give a festive mood on the day. This is the 25th year of the Ati-Atihan of Melbourne.
In 2020, the group added colour and sound to the Moomba Festival. In 1999, the group won the Best Costume and Parade awards of the 1999 Moomba Festival. Ed Guevarra of EMG Cargo Services started the Ati-Atihan of Melbourne when he was encouraged by the Philippine Honorary Consul of Victoria Maina Walkley to come up with ways to promote the Filipino heritage for the Centennial Year of Philippine Independence.
Through the years, his Ati-Atihan group is the only group in the whole of Victoria that has complete sets of costumes and movements elevating to a respected level as they perform in many local and national events, notably during the visit of the late Philippine President Fidel Ramos in Melbourne. Their costumes were even transported from the Philippines to Melbourne through the generous assistance of Filipinos from Melbourne.
The participants are Ed Guevarra, Obeth Guevarra, Cora Urzabia, Ben Urzabia, Jaie Urzabia, Vicky Torres, Albert Torres, Allan Baladjay, Ariza Baladjay, Jason Aquino, Sherman Buca, Joel Pia, Manny Valmeo, Jay Barlaan, Jay Merin, Joy Merin, Nelia Ciar, Al Ciar, Raul Ordona, May Ordona, Jess Bermundo, Teri Nichols, Amie Polbrat, Suzette Nadjek, Lourdes Tadena, Olive Boucher, Diana Lee, Juliet Godeloson, Fe Gillies, Juliet Orquia, Rey Isleta, Pat Aguilar, Annie Butler, Lily Menzie, Marvin Lugtu, Rosemarie Turqueza, Amor Malamatin, Mathy Watkins, Lynh Lam Kim, Arlene Lucas, Leonora Duque, Phure Patag and Jade Barlaan.
This Ati Atihan performance will surely be a vibrant part of the Cranbourne Festival and a must-see for everyone attending this event.
