3 winners shortlisted for Aliwan

CEBU, Philippines - Cebu City will be choosing from three winners in the Sinulog 2015 Grand Parade its representative to the Aliwan Festival in Pasay City this year.

The city can send up to two groups to the Aliwan.

Sinulog Foundation Inc. Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros said the city is eyeing at Carcar City Division (third place, Sinulog-based category), Tuburan National High School (fourth place, Sinulog-based category), and Lumad Basakanon (fifth place, Free interpretation category).

Because the grand prize winners – Kulturang Placereño from Placer, Masbate (Sinulog-based category) and the Tribu Buyoganon from Abuyog, Leyte (Free Interpretation category) – are not from Cebu, the city cannot ask them to represent because they will also be competing on behalf of their local government unit.

“Usually, sa Cebu gyod among kuhaon pero we’ll support sa atong Sinulog nga produkto sad and mo-tan-aw pod ta’s ilang presentation,” Ballesteros said.

Organizers of the Aliwan Festival reportedly watched the Festival Queen search and Grand Parade over the weekend.

Cebu representatives have won in the Aliwan for three consecutive years in 2007, 2008, and 2009.

Last year, the Lumad Basakanon, the grand prize winner in the Free interpretation category, represented Cebu City and subsequently won in the Aliwan.

“We will sustain the standard that we set,” Ballesteros said.

He clarified that the Sinulog Foundation cannot assist the representative(s) to the Aliwan financially. 

Dili ta makahatag og cash assistance, pwede ang city government na ang mohatag kay mu-represent man sa city. Ang amoa lang is more on the other support sa production, advices, and ang pakig-coordinate sa taga-Aliwan,” he said.

“Manawag pod ko’s laing choreographers nga mu-comment… atong i-improve ang ilang production and, at the same time, ang perfection,” he said.

Aside from the dancing contingent, the city will also send a representative to the Aliwan festival queen competition.

The Aliwan Festival, which showcases various winners from different festivals in the country, is being organized by the Manila Broadcasting Corporation. (FREEMAN)