Provincial champs in Aliwan Fiesta showdown
MANILA, Philippines - Aliwan Fiesta, dubbed as the Philippines’ biggest festival, takes to the streets anew on April 22-24, with over 5,000 street dancers, craftsmen, and artisans from various provinces vying for the million-peso grand prize.
Presented by Manila Broadcasting Co., Star City, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in cooperation with the Yes! Tourism Committee of SM Mall of Asia and the cities of Pasay and Manila, the annual cultural extravaganza brings together in a single setting champion street-dancing contingents from the most popular festivals throughout the archipelago, for the benefit of tourists who want a microcosm of life in the country’s 7,107 islands.
From the Cordillera Administrative Region, Baguio City is showcasing its myriad blooms for which Panagbenga has become immensely popular. The town of Peñablanca in Cagayan is sending its Tribu Callao to interpret the Kilingkingan Festival, while Pampanga is fielding the Aeta-led Caragan Festival of Mabalacat.
Bulacan’s regional Singkaban celebrations will be represented by two entries — Guiguinto’s Halamanan Festival and Marilao’s Halamang Dilaw festivity. Residents of Catanauan, Quezon will present the wild revelry of the Boling-Boling Festival.
Proving that the competition will be intense, the Bicol region is showcasing Masbate’s Lapay Bantigue Festival, alongside the Kasanggayahan Festival of Sorsogon.
Iloilo is also fielding two official entries — Tribu Paghidaet performing the Ati-Ati of Dinagyang, and Tribu Kasag representing the Kasag Festival of Banate.
The Warays are making their presence felt through the Pasaka Festival of Tanauan, Leyte.
General Santos City is delivering its punch through the Tuna Festival, with Cotabato fielding Tamfaken Lum-alay, just as the Chavacanos are highlighting their beautiful city of flowers in the Zamboanga Hermosa Festival.
Parang, Maguindanao is presenting both its Buklod and Padang-Padang festivals as a show of unity and peaceful co-existence among Muslims and Christians, while Sultan Kudarat is showcasing the Talakudong Festival.
Metro Manila will be represented by the Pakalog Festival of Pasig City, anchored on the native delicacy called the “bulig,” and the traditional fiesta dance routine from the Pajotan Festival of Kalookan.
Supported by Smart Communications, Unilab, My Juiz, Alaska, Coca-Cola, 555, Wings Detergent, Amway, Sting Energy Drink, Aquabest, PPSSC Water, Paramount Insurance, McDonald’s, M. Lhuillier, Bayview Plaza, and the Atrium Hotel, the Aliwan Fiesta is now on its eighth year.
The grand culminating parade on April 24 will kick off from behind the SM Mall of Asia, and move toward an outdoor stage in front of the Aliw Theater at the CCP complex, where the awarding ceremonies will be held.
For inquiries, call 832-6125, e-mail at siarcega@mbcradio.net or log on to the official website at www.aliwanfiesta.com.ph.
