MANILA, Philippines – A rare spectacle of vibrant colors, majestic costumes, and festive celebrations has hit the metropolis as 22 cities and provinces across the nation bring forward their best cultural performances at the 2012 Aliwan Fiesta.
Dubbed as the “Mother of All Fiestas,” the Aliwan Fiesta, an annual event organized by Manila Broadcasting Co. and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, gathers the colorful festivals in Luzon down to the vibrant celebrations in Visayas and Mindanao in a three day cultural extravaganza at the CCP Complex.
Aliwan Fiesta is divided into three categories: Cultural Street Dance Competition, Float Parade, and, Reyna ng Aliwan beauty pageant. Particpants were carefully chosen to ensure equal representation from the country’s culturally-rich regions.
The celebration kicked off with a Pasakalye free concert at the opening night on April 12. Hundreds of spectators came to see performances by ABS-CBN stars KC Concepcion, Angeline Quinto, and Christian Bautista, and other music acts, at the free concert held in front of the Aliw Theater.
Continuing the fun on the second day, the Reyna ng Aliwan will be chosen in a pageant night to be hosted by Love Radio’s top-rating triumvirate Nicole Hyala, Chris Tsuper, and Papa Jack on April 13. Endearing muses from across the country will vie for the coveted festival title.
To culminate the three-day festival, a grand parade traversing Roxas Boulevard from Quirino Grandstand to Aliw Theater will be held on April 14 at 2:00 PM. Street dancers clad in colorful costumes depicting various regional festivals will occupy the long stretch of Roxas Boulevard while onlookers watch in awe. Majestic floats with festive themes will likewise be featured in the parade.
Winners of the Street Dance and Float competitions will be announced in a special show hosted by TV5 stars Ruffa Gutierrez and Paolo Bediones. The program will feature performances from OPM legends Hajji Alejandro, Randy Santiago, and Gino Padilla, with Edgar Allan Guzman, Gerald Santos, Rodjun Cruz, G-Force, and Talentadong Pinoy Hall of Famers. Pinoy rap icon Andrew E. is expected to drive the crowd crazy as he performs at the show.
The Aliwan Fiesta Dance Parade will air on AKTV on IBC13 at 4:00 PM while the culminating Aliwan Fiesta program will air live at 9:30 PM on TV5. (philstar.com)