Showdown of champions in 2012 Aliwan Fiesta

MANILA, Philippines - Just as easily as they party, Filipinos find an excuse to dance — for leisure or entertainment… as a manifestation of worship or as a social valve for relationships.  

For this year’s Aliwan Fiesta — the 10th annual cultural extravaganza organized by Manila Broadcasting Co. and the Cultural Center of the Philippines in cooperation with the cities of Manila and Pasay — dance in its myriad forms once more takes center stage, as interpreted in the festival context by contingents from various regions all over the country.

As early as January, the roster of entries had reached the maximum number set by the organizers — solid proof of how keenly the festival is anticipated.

Metro Manila will be represented by the Taga-Giik festival of Taguig, anchored on the area’s being a farmers’ bailiwick in olden times, and Pasay City’s Dayang-Dayang festival which celebrates how the city got its name from a princess in the old kingdom of Namayan.

From the Cordillera Administrative Region, Baguio City showcases its myriad blooms for which Panagbenga has become immensely popular. Santiago City, Isabela in turn, will present the Pattaraday festival, which emphasizes unity invoked by the people on its foundation day.

Bulacan will once more showcase the art of landscaping for which the town of Guiguinto is famous for in its Halamanan festival, while Batangas is pitching two entries via San Juan’s Ala-eh Lambayok festival (anchored on the making of lambanog), and Tuy’s Mamang-os at Kambingan festival.  

Residents of Catanauan, Quezon will present the wild revelry of the pre-Lenten Mardi Gras-inspired Boling-Boling festival, while Oriental Mindoro will again showcase the luminous Pandang Gitab festival of Calapan.

Iloilo also fields two entries — the Salakayan festival of Miag-ao, champion in the Kasadyahan, and the highly acclaimed Dinagyang festival, which features the aboriginal tribes’ offering to the Infant Jesus.

This worship of the Sto. Niño, which prevails in many parts of the country, likewise finds fruition in the breathtaking showcases of Leyte. From the town of Alang-alang comes the Lingganay festival, which emerged grand champion in both the Sinulog of Cebu as well as the province’s own Pintados Kasadyaan.   Not to be outdone, the town of Abuyog, Leyte also brings forward the Buyogan festival, which copped the 2009 Aliwan championship.

Zamboanga City will field dancers to interpret the Zamboanga Hermosa festival, while South Cotabato highlights its weaving traditions in the T’nalak festival, as well as the Lembuhong festival of Surallah. The town of Alamada in North Cotabato, in turn, will showcase the Manuvu’s Kalivungan festival.

General Santos City will be represented by the Kalilangan festival, while Maguindanao will field the Padang-Padang from the town of Parang, Meguyaya from Upi, and the Sagayan festival.

Aliwan Fiesta will be held on April 12-14 with the grand culminating parade traversing Roxas Boulevard from Quirino Grandstand to the Aliw Theater at the CCP complex on the last day.

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