Aliwan Fiesta was again held to showcase and promote the different festivals around the country. Known as Philippine’s festival of festivals, events this year include the Reyna ng Aliwan and the most anticipated Grand Street Dance and Float parade. The grand street parade happened last April 13 starting at the Quirino Grandstand all the way to the Aliw Theater in Pasay. The different street dancers showed their moves and choreography added by the very colorful props and costumes.
The float parade has a total of 14 participants and 17 contingents for the streetdancing competition. The festivals who attended the Aliwan Fiesta this year were (in order of performance):
- Zamboanga Hermosa Festival
- Mango Festival of Zambales
- Pasaka Festival of Tanauan Leyte
- Ang Tipulo of Antipolo, Rizal
- Meguyaya Festival of Upi
- Dalaksagaw from Manila
- Padang-Padang festival of Parang, Maguindanao
- Adivay Festival of Benguet
- Mahaguyog festival of Sto. Tomas, Batangas
- Boling-Boling of Catanauan, Quezon
- Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City
- Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City
- Sagayan Festival of Buluan, Maguindanao
- Dinagsa festival of Muntinlupa
- Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City
- Kalivungan Festival of North Cotabato
- Pandang Gitab Festival of Oriental Mindoro
My personal choices for the street dancing competition were Dinagyang Festival, Kalivungan Festival, and Pasaka Festival. In terms of the floats, the grandest I can consider is the futuristic concept of the Sinulog Float with a moving crane in front carrying the Sto. Niño. However, I am not a member of the panel of judges. Here’s the complete list of winners.
ALIWAN FIESTA 2014 STREETDANCE COMPETITION
Champion: Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City
1st Runner-Up: Kalivungan Festival of North Cotabato
2nd Runner-Up: Meguyaya Festival of Upi
3rd Runner-Up: Padang-Padang Festival of Parang, Maguindanao
4th Runner-Up: Adivay Festival of Benguet
Runners-Up:
Ang Tipulo of Antipolo, Rizal
Mango Festival of Zambales
Pandang Gitab Festival of Oriental Mindoro
Pasaka Festival of Tanauan Leyte
Sagayan Festival of Buluan, Maguindanao
Aliwan Fiesta 2013 Special Awards
Best in Music: Dinagyang Festival
Best in Costume: Dinagyang Festival
Best in Folkloric Interpretation: Adivay Festival of Benguet
REYNA NG ALIWAN WINNERS
Aliwan Festival Queen 2013: Sinulog Festival – Jamie Herrell
1st Runner up: Dinagyang Festival – Emily Victoria Oke
2nd Runners up:
Kalilangan Festival – Janette Roanne Sturm
Lingganay Festival – Shella May Kumarasammy
Kabankalan Sinulog Festival – Johanna Saad
Best in Festival Costume: Jamie Herrell (Cebu’s Sinulog Festival)
Most Unique Smile: Jamie Herrell (Cebu’s Sinulog Festival)
Best in Long Gown: Gaille Anne Surriga (Gensan’s Kalilangan Festival)
Best in Swimsuit: Emily Victoria Oke (Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival)
ALIWAN FIESTA 2013 FESTIVAL FLOAT COMPETITION
1st Place: Bahandi han Eastern Visayas Float of Alang-alang Leyte
2nd Place: Balinali Sang Gadung Float of Mangundadatu, Maguindanao
3rd Place: Gak’t Kastili sa Banobo Float of Northern Kabuntulan, Maguindanao
Runners up:
Pasaka Float of Maguindanao
Datu Odin SInsuat Float of Maguindanao
Sagayan Float of Buluan, Maguindanao
Niyog-Puso ng Quezon of Catanaun, Quezon
Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City
Panimbang A Tarakoku of Mother Kabuntalan, Maguindanao
Sinulog Float of Cebu City
