Aliwan fiesta celebrates cultural diversity

MANILA, Philippines - The resounding chants of “Aliwan! Aliwan! Aliwan!” when the winning contingent is announced in the annual awards ceremony of Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival always bring to mind the impact of the Aliwan Fiesta to street dancing in the Philippines.

Clearly, being invited to participate in this annual street dance competition is an honor that street dance groups from all over the country strive for. It is an indication of having achieved a certain level of artistic and cultural excellence, a nod to a dance group’s readiness to step onto the national stage.

As the only venue for winners of local street dance festivals and competitions from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao to compete with each other, Aliwan Fiesta has become a showdown of champions, thus bringing to the Manila audience the best of the best in Philippine street dancing.

The panel of judges (left), including Liza Macuja Elizalde, Nonoy Froilan and the author, have their work cut out for them, choosing from winners of local street dance competitions and festivals from all over the country.

But beyond the fanfare and exuberance and spectacle that this battle of champions brings, the underlying achievement of the 10-year-old Aliwan is the elevation of artistic standards in street dancing and the celebration of cultural diversity in our country.

Following a revised criteria for selection of winners adopted two years ago, Aliwan Fiesta has stressed the importance not only of artistic excellence but adherence to local culture and practices as well. Participating groups have strived to look deeper into their treasure trove of local dances, music, legends and rituals to produce numbers that brilliantly portray unique facets of local culture. 

While some purists and scholars decry street dance festivals as purely tourism-driven events that are non-reflective of true traditional culture, I have always regarded street dance as a contemporary artistic expression of local arts and culture that should be respected for its creative value and admired for what it has contributed to community building. Festivals are occasions for artists, government officials, the business sector and members of the community to come together and organize events that celebrate the community spirit and pride of place. The sheer number of participants that a street dance ensemble entails is also an indicator of community involvement and cooperation.

I have personally witnessed the kind of efforts that go towards preparing for a street dance festival. The individual contribution and commitment it evokes – commitment of time for rehearsals, commitment of resources for costumes and props, and much more – from the members of the community are truly admirable.

Many festivals in the country have also metamorphosed into important tourist attractions that have contributed substantially to the local economy. Recent studies show that the Sinulog and Dinagyang bring tremendous economic activity from local and foreign tourism during the 10-day festival period. All hotels are fully booked, airlines operate on full capacity, restaurants and malls likewise enjoy brisk business and local creative services are fully engaged. These street dance festivals have also earned international fame, with foreign tourists seeking out these events.

I have always been grateful to the Aliwan Fiesta for giving the Metro Manila audience a good glimpse of street dancing in the country. This rare opportunity not only makes them aware of the creative genius that artists from all over the country possess but also the rich cultural diversity our country should be proud of.

Aliwan Fiesta, scheduled on April 12-14, at the Cultural Center Complex along Roxas Blvd. In Pasay City, is presented by Manila Broadcasting Company and the Cultural Center of the Philippines in cooperation with the cities of Manila and Pasay. The author, former president of the Cultural Center, sits in the judging panel of the Aliwan competition.