Aliwan Fiesta
{{Short description|Filipino festival}}
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| footer = Dinagyang Festival (left) of Iloilo City holds the record for the most championships in the Aliwan Festival Dance Competition, with a total of eight wins, while the Sinulog Festival (right) of Cebu City has won the most titles in the Reyna ng Aliwan pageant, with a record of eleven wins.
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Aliwan Fiesta is an annual event that gathers different cultural festivals of the Philippines in Star City Complex in Pasay wherein contingents compete in dance parade and float competitions. Organized by MBC Media Group together with Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the cities of Manila and Pasay, the event is dubbed as "the Philippines' Grandest Fiesta," with prizes totaling ₱3 million (roughly US$70,000). Aliwan Fiesta, which began in 2003, aims to showcase the different Filipino cultures and heritage not only to the people in Metro Manila but also to the rest of the world.{{cite news|title=Aliwan Fiesta '07: The mother of all RP festivals |date=March 25, 2007 |publisher=Manila Bulletin |url=http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2007/03/25/TOUR2007032590436.html |access-date=2008-07-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080216180416/http://www.mb.com.ph/issues/2007/03/25/TOUR2007032590436.html |archive-date=2008-02-16 |url-status=live}} The contingents, meanwhile, aim to promote their respective regions both economically and tourism-wise.{{cite news| first=Bennie| last=Recebido| title=Tagalog News: Sorsogon City Pili festival dance troupe kalahok sa Aliwan fiesta| date=April 27, 2007| publisher=Philippine Information Agency| url=http://www.pia.gov.ph/?m=12&fi=p070427.htm&no=48| access-date=2007-07-28}}{{in lang|tl}} It was originally organized as a visual extravaganza for the Christmas season, but it has since been held during the summer months of either April or May.{{cite news| first=Jeffrey| last=Valisno| title=Fiesta islands| date=May 2, 2008| publisher=BusinessWorld| url=http://www.bworldonline.com/Weekender050208/main.php?id=goingout2| access-date=2008-02-27}}{{Dead link|date=October 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Aliwan is a Tagalog word for "entertainment" or "amusement." Aliwan Fiesta festivities are covered live on DZRH-TV annually.
Competition
File:Panagbengafloat.jpg of Panagbenga Festival of Baguio was decorated with local flowers and handicrafts. Seated on top is the city's Reyna ng Aliwan 2008 contestant]]
Aliwan Fiesta is divided into three categories: Cultural Street Dance Competition (the main event), Float Parade, and Reyna ng Aliwan (Queen of Entertainment/Amusement) competition. Each of the country's 17 regions have the option to send up to two contingents representing its respective cultural festival, as well as an option to send a representing float and or Reyna ng Aliwan contestant.{{cite news| first=Maricar M| last=Calubiran| title=P2.5M at stake in Aliwan Fiesta| publisher=The News Today| date=April 20, 2007| url=http://www.thenewstoday.info/2007/04/20/p2.5m.at.stake.in.aliwan.fiesta.html| access-date=2008-07-27}} However, the roster of entries for the cultural dance and float competitions are limited. In 2008, the number of slots for cultural dance was increased from 20 to 24 groups, which was completed as early as January. Each contingent in the cultural street dance competition—totaling up to 100 dancers as well as hundreds of musicians and support staff members—have undergone stringent elimination cycles during various local festivals before being chosen to compete in Aliwan Fiesta. The highlight of the event is when all competing festivals show off their dance skills while parading for four kilometers (about {{frac|2|1|2}} miles) along Roxas Boulevard from Quirino Grandstand to Aliw Theater grounds located near CCP. The festivals range from the well-known such as Dinagyang of Iloilo City, Sinulog of Cebu City, and Panagbenga of Baguio, to the obscure but just-as-interesting feasts like Alikaraw of Hilongos, Leyte, Padang-Padang of Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan, and Pamitinan Festival of Rodriguez, Rizal. Side events also include a bazaar featuring different regional products, a photography contest, an inter-scholastic dance competition (interpreting dance tunes played on MBC radio stations), Filipino street games, and a fireworks display.{{cite news|title=Aliwan Fiesta: Festival of champions |date=April 4, 2008 |publisher=Malaya|url= http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr04/ente1.htm| access-date=2008-07-27 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080922225707/http://www.malaya.com.ph/apr04/ente1.htm |archive-date=2008-09-22 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news|first=Lex |last=Artifex |title=Aliwan Fiesta: A celebration of diversity |publisher=The Daily Tribune |date=April 27, 2008 |url=http://www.tribune.net.ph/life/20080427lif1.html |access-date=2008-07-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080430220909/http://www.tribune.net.ph/life/20080427lif1.html |archive-date=April 30, 2008 }}
Meanwhile, the participating floats are only allowed to use local textiles, produce, flowers, and other products specific in their representing city in decorating the vehicles. Each float, portraying local folklore and indigenous traditions, is topped by a participant of Reyna ng Aliwan serving as muse. Laoag's Pamulinawen Festival has the distinction of winning the float competition the most number of times.
The province of Cebu, in turn, holds the record of the most wins in the Reyna ng Aliwan Pageant—six consecutive times from 2009 until 2014, and recapturing the crown in 2016 and 2017. However in 2019, Cebu's Sinulog festival queen who won Reyna ng Aliwan was stripped of her title for having violated the terms and conditions of her reign. The Panagbenga festival queen assumed the title and her duties for the rest of the year—the third time a Baguio lass wore the crown. The Reyna ng Aliwan pageant is considered the training ground of many national pageant winners, who have also gone on to compete—and win—international titles. Among these are Jamie Herrell and Karla Henry who won Miss Earth; Rizzini Alexis Gomez and Angeli Dione Gomez, who won the Miss Tourism International crowns back-to-back; Cynthia Thomalla, who was crowned Miss Eco International; Sharifa Aqeel who was named Miss Asia Pacific International; Vera Eumee Reiter, who won Mutya ng Pilipinas; as well as Mary Jean Lastimosa, Rogelie Catacutan, and Ahtisa Manalo, who won Binibining Pilipinas titles.
The top ten contingents in the cultural dance and float competitions receive cash prizes, with the top float winner receiving P500,000 (roughly US$11,000) and the winning cultural dance group getting P1 million (about US$23,000) as well as the bragging rights of becoming the champion of Aliwan Fiesta. Meanwhile, the Reyna ng Aliwan receives P100,000 (roughly US$2,300).
Lumad Basakanon of Cebu's Sinulog, Tribu Panayanon of Iloilo's Dinagyang, and the Manggahan Festival of Guimaras have all represented the country in various international festivals overseas. Aliwan Fiesta itself was featured in the Philippine pavilions at the 2011 Prague Quadrennial on Performance Space and Design, held in the Czech Republic; the Philippine delegation won the special children's prize for its efforts.
Aliwan Fiesta winners
=Festival Dance (Street Dance) Competition=
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height:20px; width:100%; font-size: 95%;" |
style="width:01%;" | Year
! style="width:07%;" | Champion ! style="width:07%;" | 2nd Place ! style="width:07%;" | 3rd Place ! style="width:07%;" | 4th Place ! style="width:07%;" | 5th Place ! style="width:07%;" | Runners-Up ! style="width:07%;" | Other Runners |
---|
2024
|Dinagyang Festival |Tultugan Festival | Meguyaya Festival (Kibucay National High School - Upi, Maguindanao del Norte) | Niyogyugan Festival (Pagbilao Street Dancers - Pagbilao, Quezon) | Sinulog Festival | Antipolo Maytime Festival | |
2023
|Dinagyang Festival |Sinulog Festival |Manggahan Festival |Halamanan Festival |Kadalag-an Festival |Antipolo Maytime Festival | |
2019
|Pasaka Festival |Buraburon Festival |Manggahan Festival |Meguyaya Festival |Niyogyugan Festival |Antipolo Maytime Festival |Sambalilo Festival |
2018
|Kasadyan Festival | Manggahan Festival |Dinagyang Festival |Meguyaya Festival | Binirayan Festival |Abrenian-Kawayan Festival |Fiesta Republica |
2017
| Dinagyang Festival | Hubong Binagtong Manggahan Festival | Manaragat Festival | Maytime Festival | Meguyaya Festival |Balitok Ti Alicia Festival | |
2016
| Manaragat Festival | Dinagyang Festival | Meguyaya Festival | Sagayan Festival | Niyogyugan Festival | Panagbenga Festival |
2015
| Manaragat Festival | Sinulog Festival | Mayaw-Mayaw Festival | Sakuting Festival | Meguyaya Festival | Kalivungan Festival |
2014
| Sinulog Festival | Meguyaya Festival | T’nalak Festival | Pamulinawen Festival | Caragan Festival | Kalivungan Festival |
2013
| Dinagyang Festival | Kalivungan Festival | Meguyaya Festival | Padang-Padang Festival | Adivay Festival | Sagayan Festival |
2012
| Dinagyang Festival | Buyogan Festival | Lingganay Festival | T’nalak Festival | Lembuhong Festival | Ala Eh! Festival |
2011
| Dinagyang Festival | Kasadyahan Festival | Lembuhong Festival | Calacatchara Festival | Pandang Gitab Festival of Lights | Pakalog Festival |
2010
| Dinagyang Festival | Hermosa Festival | Kasadyahan Festival | rowspan="8" colspan="2" {{n/a|Unavailable}} | Paraw Regatta Festival |
2009
| Buyogan Festival | Kasadyahan Festival | Dinagyang Festival | Siloy sa Alcoy |
2008
| Sinulog Festival | Dinagyang Festival | Sinulog Festival | Alikaraw Festival |
2007
| Sinulog Festival | Dinagyang Festival | Alikaraw Festival | Desposorio Festival |
2006
| Sinulog Festival | Dinagyang Festival | Pintados de Pasi Festival | Halad Festival |
2005
| Pintados de Pasi Festival | Kahilwayan Festival | Dinagyang Festival | Kadayawan Festival |
2004
| Dinagyang Festival | Kahilwayan Festival | Kadayawan Festival | Balyuan Festival |
2003
| Halad Festival | Pasaka Festival | Mananayaw | Singkaban Festival |
2003
| Halad Festival | Dinagyang Festival | Sarakiki-Hadang Festival | Dalit Festival | Sining Pakalagyan | {{n/a|Unavailable}} |
==Special awards==
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height:20px; width:100%; font-size: 95%;" |
style="width:01%;" | Year
! style="width:07%;" | Pride of Place Awardee ! style="width:07%;" | Best Costume ! style="width:07%;" | Best Musical Accompaniment |
---|
2024
|Panagbenga Festival |Dinagyang Festival |Tultugan Festival |
–
!Best Folkloric Performance !– !– |
2017
| Panagbenga Festival | Dinagyang Festival | Dinagyang Festival |
2016
| Panagbenga Festival | Manaragat Festival | Manaragat Festival |
2015
| Panagbenga Festival | Sinulog Festival | {{n/a|Unavailable}} |
File:KadayawanFloat.JPG of Davao City in Aliwan Fiesta 2008]]
- Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City has had the most wins in the cultural dance category, first winning in 2004, followed by four straight championships from 2010 to 2013, as anchored by different contingents from various public high schools in Iloilo.
- Another contingent from Cebu, Sinulog sa Carmen, also won third place year 2008 (both contingents, Lumad Basakanon for Sinulog Festival of Cebu City and Sinulog sa Carmen from the Cebu Province, landed in the top three (1ST and 3RD placers respectively) Lumad Basakanon was elevated to the Aliwan Hall-of-Fame).
- Other Aliwan Fiesta streetdancing champions include Halad Festival of Midsayap, Cotabato (2003), Dinagyang's Tribu Atub-Atub (2004), Pintados de Pasi of Passi City, Iloilo (2005), Dinagyang's Tribu Paghidaet (2010), Dinagyang's Tribu Pan-ay (2011, 2012, 2024), and Tribu Katbalaugan for the Manaragat Festival of Catbalogan (2016).
- In Aliwan Fiesta 2014 the Aliwan Hall of Fame awardee Lumad Basakanon of Sinulog Festival of Cebu reclaimed the Aliwan Fiesta Streetdancing Championship. Meguyaya Festival of Upi, Maguindanao came in second place, T'nalak Festival of South Cotabato in third place, followed by Pamulinawen Festival of Laoag City, Ilocos Norte in fourth and Caragan Festival of Mabalacat City, Pampanga in fifth place.
class="wikitable" |
Cultural Festival
! Champions ! Year(s) |
---|
Dinagyang Festival
| style="text-align:center;" | 8 | 2004, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2017, 2023, 2024 |
Sinulog Festival
| style="text-align:center;" | 4 | 2006, 2007, 2008, 2014 |
Manaragat Festival
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 2 | 2015, 2016 |
Halad Festival
| 2003 (2) |
Buyogan Festival
| rowspan="2" style="text-align:center;" | 1 | 2009 |
Pintados de Pasi Festival
| 2005 |
=Tugtog ng Aliwan=
class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;"
!width="30" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Year !width="130" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Cultural Festival !width="180" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Winner !width="130" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Origin | |||
2024 | Dinagyang Festival | Tribu Pan-ay | [Iloilo City] |
2017 | Meguyaya Festival | Nangi National High School | Upi, Maguindanao |
2015 | Sagayan Festival | |Datu Piang National High School
|Datu Piang, Maguindanao |
=Float design=
class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; line-height:20px; width:100%; font-size: 95%;" |
style="width:01%;" | Year
! style="width:07%;" | Champion ! style="width:07%;" | 2nd Place ! style="width:07%;" | 3rd Place ! style="width:07%;" | Runners-Up |
---|
2007
| Guinakit | Desposorio Festival | Iloilo City: The Next Big Thing | Kalilang |
2006
| Biag-Ni-Lam-Ang | The Sabutan Rainbow Parrot Fish | Boling-Boling Festival | Panagbenga: Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom |
2005
| Sabutan Festival | Paradise Found | Idiay Bangir | Desposorio-Pagpupugay sa Masaganang Buhay |
2004
| Tawid (A Legacy) | Let Thousands of Flowers Bloom More Than The Usual | Kanggunina | Ang Paghubog sa Banga ng Buhay |
2003
| Pamulinawen Festival | Singkaban Festival | Hermosa Festival | Padang-Padang Festival |
2003
| Guinakit Festival | Panagbenga: Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom | Dinagyang Festival | {{n/a|Unavailable}} |
class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size: 95%;"
!width="30" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Year !width="130" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Champions !width="130" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Runner Up !width="130" style="background-color:#787878;color:#FFFFFF;"|Third Placer |
2017
|Santa Cruz de Mayo of Tacloban City |Kapaginaul sa Maguindanao of Datu Piang, Maguindanao |Al Cinco de Noviembre of Bago City, Negros Occidental |
2015
|Santo Niño Fluvial Float of Samar |Sagayan Festival of Datu Piang Maguindanao |Sakuting Festival of Dolores, Abra |
2014
|Bambanti festival of Isabela |Utanon festival of Dalaguete, Cebu |Indayog ti Sabsabong of Baguio |
2013
|Bahandi Han Eastern Visayas of Alang-Alang, Leyte |Balinali Sang Gadung of Mangudadatu, Maguindanao |Gak't A Kastili sa Banobo of Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao |
2012
|Pamulinawen (Laoag, Ilocos Norte) |Ang Lingganay (Alang-alang, Leyte) |Sagayan Fiesta (Parang, Maguindanao) |
2011
|Biday a Pinangasturian (Buluan, Maguindanao) |Kumpit sa Kutawato (Cotabato City) |Singkaban Fiesta (Bulacan) |
2010
|Kanggulagna sa Maguindanao (Cotabato City) |Bahandi Han Dagat (Tanauan, Leyte) |Kagkawing sa Maguindanao (Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao) |
2009
|Abel Iloko (Laoag, Ilocos Norte) |Lemba (Cotabato) |Dinagyang (La Paz Iloilo) |
2008
|Kalesa - Pamulinawen (Laoag) |Peacock - Boling Boling (Catabauan, Quezon) |Sinulog (Cebu) |
2007
|Guinakit of Sultan Kudarat, Shariff Kabunsuan |Disposorio Festival of Hagonoy, Bulacan |Iloilo City: The Next Big Thing of Iloilo Dinagyang |
2006
|Biag-Ni-Lam-Ang of Laoag City |The Sabutan Rainbow Parrot Fish of Palanan, Isabela |Boling-Boling Festival of Catanauan, Quezon |
2005
|Sabutan Festival of Isabela |Paradise Found of Baguio |Idiay Bangir of Laoag City |
2004
|Tawid (A Legacy) of Laoag City |Let Thousands of Flowers Bloom More Than The Usual of Baguio |Kanggunina of South Cotabato |
=Reyna ng Aliwan (2003-2019; 2023-present) / Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen (2020-2022)=
class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:95%;" | |
Year
! Reyna ng Aliwan ! Festival ! Cultural Festival ! Post Pageant Title/s ! International Competition | |
---|---|
2024
|Mia Loureen Tamayo |Cebu |Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival | | | |
2023
|Kiara Liane Wellington |Cebu |Sinulog Festival | Miss Philippines Earth 2022 Runner-up/Top 10 | | |
2022
|Marikit Manaois |Baguio |Panagbenga Festival |Binibining Pilipinas 2024 Top 15 | |
2021
| Shanyl Kayle Hofer | Cebu | Sinulog Festival | | | |
2020
| Jannarie Zarzoso |Dagkot Festival |Miss Universe Philippines 2023 Top 18 | | |
rowspan="2" style="text-align:left;" | 2019
| Roi Neeve Comanda (Assumed) | Baguio | Panagbenga Festival | | | |
Nicole Borromeo (Dethroned)
| Cebu | Sinulog Festival | Miss Teen Philippines 2019 2nd Runner-up | Miss International 2023 3rd Runner-up | |
2018
| Chelsea Fernandez | Tacloban | Sangyaw Festival | Miss Philippines Earth-Water 2019 | The Miss Globe 2022 Top 15 | |
2017
| Marla Alforque | Cebu | Sinulog Festival | Miss Earth Philippines 2018 Runner-up/Top 10 | | |
2016
|Cynthia Thomalla |Cebu |Sinulog Festival |Miss Eco International 2018 Winner | |
2015
|Stephanie Joy Abellanida |Halad Festival |Binibining Pilipinas 2018 candidate | | |
2014
|Steffi Rose Aberasturi |Cebu |Sinulog Festival |Miss Universe Philippines 2021 2nd Runner-up | | |
2013
|Cebu |Sinulog Festival |Miss Earth 2014 Winner | |
2012
|Angeli Dione Gomez |Cebu |Sinulog Festival |Binibining Pilipinas 2013 candidate |Miss Tourism International 2013-2014 Winner | |
2011
|Rogelie Catacutan |Cebu |Sinulog Festival |Miss World Philippines 2011 Top 12 |Miss Supranational 2015 Top 20 | |
2010
|Rizzini Alexis Gomez † |Cebu |Sinulog Festival |Miss World Philippines 2012 candidate |Miss Tourism International 2012-2013 Winner | |
2009
|Sian Elizabeth Maynard |Cebu |Sinulog Festival |Miss Philippines Earth 2010 Top 10 | | |
2008
|Davao |Kadayawan Festival |Binibining Pilipinas 2011 2nd Runner-up |Miss Universe 2014 Top 10 Finalist | |
2007
|Mary Jane dela Cruz |Bulacan |Desposorio Festival |Binibining Pilipinas 2009 candidate | | |
2006
|Vera Eumee Reiter |Baguio |Panagbenga Festival |Binibining Pilipinas 2006 candidate | | |
2005
|Syrel Aubrey Amazona |Baguio |Panagbenga Festival |Binibining Pilipinas 2005 candidate | | |
2004
|Jasmin Versoza |Laoag |Pamulenawen Festival | Binibining Pilipinas 2004 candidate
| |
2003
|Tisha Veloso |Leyte |Sangyaw Festival | Binibining Pilipinas 2003 candidate
| |
Coffee table book
MBC presented a coffee table book in 2008 entitled Aliwan Fiesta: Celebrating Life In These 7,107 Islands. It was documented by cultural affairs specialist Susan Isorena-Arcega, featuring various photographs taken during Aliwan Fiesta's first five years. The book aims to tackle the Filipino's festive psyche, the multi-pronged treatise on what the Philippine festivals are rooted in, and the display of cultural heritage through dance and craftsmanship. A second volume entitled "Aliwan Fiesta: The Festival of Champions," was published in 2013. A third volume is currently being compiled.
Footnotes
{{reflist}}
External links
- [http://aliwanfiesta.com.ph/ Aliwan Fiesta Official Website]
- [https://mbcmediagroup.com/ Official Website of MBC Media Group]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20080619015948/http://www.ireport.com/docs/DOC-19241 Photos of Aliwan Fiesta 2008, as featured on CNN's iReport]
- [http://outoftownblog.com/aliwan-fiesta-2012/ Aliwan Fiesta 2012 Schedule of Activities]
{{MBC Media Group}}
{{Manila attractions}}
Category:Festivals established in 2003