Aliwan Fiesta
Encyclopedia
Aliwan Fiesta is an annual event that gathers different cultural festivals of the Philippines
in Star City Complex in Pasay City
wherein contingents compete in dance
parade
and float
competitions, as well as in a beauty pageant. Organized by Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) together with Cultural Center of the Philippines
(CCP) and the cities of Manila
and Pasay, the event is dubbed as "The Mother of All Fiesta
s," with prizes totaling to P
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. The contingents, meanwhile, aim to promote their respective regions both economically and tourism
-wise. 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. Aliwan is a Tagalog
word for "entertainment" or "amusement." For 2010, the colorful banner at the Roxas Blvd. entrance proclaimed the fiesta as THE PHILIPPINES GRANDEST FIESTA.
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 beauty pageant contestant. 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 2½ 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 City
, 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.
Meanwhile, the participating floats are only allowed to use local textile
s, produce
, flower
s, 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. The beauty pageant contestants have competed a day before the parade.
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).
(2003) and Pintados de Passi of Passi City
, Iloilo (2005). In 2009, Buyugan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte
won the street dance championship. Aside from the official Aliwan Fiesta website, there is a decent blog that has a listing of the winners for 2010 with videos on display.
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.
Secretary Ace Durano
who allegedly secretly lobbied for Sinulog Festival" to win the competition. Durano is a former congressman of Cebu Province. Meanwhile, an altercation between the musicians of Sinulog Festival of Carmen, Cebu
and Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos, Leyte, happened in 2008. Representatives of Sinulog claimed that they were attacked by the team members of Alikaraw, while the latter said it was the other way around. The fight was quickly pacified by the organizers.
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
in Star City Complex in Pasay City
Pasay City
The City of Pasay is one of the cities and municipalities that make up Metro Manila in the Philippines. It is bordered on the north by the country's capital, Manila, to the northeast by Makati City, to the east by Taguig City, and Parañaque City to the south.Pasay City was one of the original four...
wherein contingents compete in dance
Dance
Dance is an art form that generally refers to movement of the body, usually rhythmic and to music, used as a form of expression, social interaction or presented in a spiritual or performance setting....
parade
Parade
A parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
and float
Float (parade)
A float is a decorated platform, either built on a vehicle or towed behind one, which is a component of many festive parades, such as those of Mardi Gras in New Orleans, the Carnival of Viareggio, the Maltese Carnival, the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, the Key West Fantasy Fest parade, the...
competitions, as well as in a beauty pageant. Organized by Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) together with Cultural Center of the Philippines
Cultural Center of the Philippines
The Cultural Center of the Philippines is a government-owned and controlled corporation established to preserve, develop and promote arts and culture in the Philippines. The CCP was established through Executive Order No. 30 s. 1966 by President Ferdinand Marcos...
(CCP) and the cities of Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
and Pasay, the event is dubbed as "The Mother of All Fiesta
Festival
A festival or gala is an event, usually and ordinarily staged by a local community, which centers on and celebrates some unique aspect of that community and the Festival....
s," with prizes totaling to P
Philippine peso
The peso is the currency of the Philippines. It is subdivided into 100 centavos . Before 1967, the language used on the banknotes and coins was English and so "peso" was the name used...
3 million (roughly US$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
70,000). Aliwan Fiesta, which began in 2003, aims to showcase the different Filipino cultures
Culture of the Philippines
Philippine culture is related to Micronesian, Bornean, Mexican and Spanish cultures. The people today are mostly of Malayo-Polynesian origin, although there are people with Spanish, Mexican, Austro-Melanesian and Chinese blood. Geographically, the Philippines is considered part of Southeast Asia...
and heritage not only to the people in Metro Manila
Metro Manila
Metropolitan Manila , the National Capital Region , or simply Metro Manila, is the metropolitan region encompassing the City of Manila and its surrounding areas in the Philippines...
but also to the rest of the world. The contingents, meanwhile, aim to promote their respective regions both economically and tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
-wise. It was originally organized as a visual extravaganza for the Christmas
Christmas
Christmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
season, but it has since been held during the summer months of either April or May. Aliwan is a Tagalog
Tagalog language
Tagalog is an Austronesian language spoken as a first language by a third of the population of the Philippines and as a second language by most of the rest. It is the first language of the Philippine region IV and of Metro Manila...
word for "entertainment" or "amusement." For 2010, the colorful banner at the Roxas Blvd. entrance proclaimed the fiesta as THE PHILIPPINES GRANDEST FIESTA.
Competition
Aliwan Fiesta is divided into three categories: Cultural Street Dance Competition (the main event), Float Parade, and Reyna ng Aliwan (Queen of Aliwan) beauty pageant. Each of the country's 17 regionsRegions of the Philippines
In the Philippines, regions are administrative divisions that serve primarily to organize the provinces of the country for administrative convenience. Currently, the archipelagic republic of the Philippines is divided into 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 beauty pageant contestant. 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 2½ miles) along Roxas Boulevard
Roxas Boulevard
Roxas Boulevard is a boulevard in Metro Manila, and an eight-lane arterial road that connects the center of Manila with Pasay City, Parañaque City. It is one of the major arteries in the city's metropolitan network, designated as Radial Road 1...
from Quirino Grandstand to Aliw Theater grounds located near CCP. The festivals range from the well-known such as Dinagyang
Dinagyang
The Dinagyang is a religious and cultural festival in Iloilo City, Philippines held on the fourth Sunday of January, or right after the Sinulog In Cebu and the Ati-Atihan in Aklan. It is held both to honor the Santo Niño and to celebrate the arrival on Panay of Malay settlers and the subsequent...
of Iloilo City
Iloilo City
The City of Iloilo is a highly urbanized city in the Philippines and the capital city of Iloilo province. It is the regional center of the Western Visayas, as well as the center of the Iloilo-Guimaras Metropolitan Area...
, Sinulog of Cebu City
Cebu City
The City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...
, and Panagbenga
Panagbenga Festival
Penagbenga Festival is a month-long annual flower festival occurring in Baguio, the summer capital of the Philippines. The term is of Malayo-Polynesian origin, meaning "season of blooming". The festival, held during the month of February, was created as a tribute to the city's flowers and as a way...
of Baguio City
Baguio City
The City of Baguio is a highly urbanized city in northern Luzon in the Philippines. Baguio City was established by Americans in 1900 at the site of an Ibaloi village known as Kafagway...
, to the obscure but just-as-interesting feasts like Alikaraw of Hilongos, Leyte
Hilongos, Leyte
Hilongos is a 2nd class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. It borders with the municipality of Bato in the south. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 53,911 people in 10,763 households. Land area : 19,292...
, Padang-Padang of Parang, Shariff Kabunsuan, and Pamitinan Festival of Rodriguez, Rizal
Rodriguez, Rizal
Rodriguez, Rizal is a first-class, urban municipality in the province of Rizal, Philippines. It is the northernmost town in the province and comes after San Mateo, Rizal, and Quezon City coming from Metro Manila...
. Side events also include a bazaar featuring different regional products, a photography
Photography
Photography is the art, science and practice of creating durable images by recording light or other electromagnetic radiation, either electronically by means of an image sensor or chemically by means of a light-sensitive material such as photographic film...
contest, an inter-scholastic dance competition (interpreting dance tunes played on MBC radio stations), Filipino street games, and a fireworks display.
Meanwhile, the participating floats are only allowed to use local textile
Textile
A textile or cloth is a flexible woven material consisting of a network of natural or artificial fibres often referred to as thread or yarn. Yarn is produced by spinning raw fibres of wool, flax, cotton, or other material to produce long strands...
s, produce
Produce
Produce is a generalized term for a group of farm-produced goods and, not limited to fruits and vegetables . More specifically, the term "produce" often implies that the products are fresh and generally in the same state as where they were harvested. In supermarkets the term is also used to refer...
, flower
Flower
A flower, sometimes known as a bloom or blossom, is the reproductive structure found in flowering plants . The biological function of a flower is to effect reproduction, usually by providing a mechanism for the union of sperm with eggs...
s, 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. The beauty pageant contestants have competed a day before the parade.
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).
Winners
The Sinulog Festival of Cebu City has the most number of wins in the cultural dance category with three straight championships from 2006 to 2008. Another contingent from Cebu, Sinulog sa Carmen, also won 3rd place year 2008 (both contingents, Lumad Basakanon of Cebu City and Sinulog sa Carmen from the Cebu Province, landed in the top three wherein Lumad Basakanon garnered the Aliwan Hall-of-Fame). Meanwhile, Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City (who won in that category in 2004) has been runner-up to Sinulog during those same years. Other Aliwan Fiesta champions include Halad Festival of Midsayap, CotabatoMidsayap, Cotabato
Midsayap is a 1st class municipality in the province of North Cotabato, Philippines. According to LGPMS , it has a population of 144,715 with in 28,153 households...
(2003) and Pintados de Passi of Passi City
Passi City
Passi City is a 3rd class city in the province of Iloilo in the Philippines...
, Iloilo (2005). In 2009, Buyugan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte
Abuyog, Leyte
Abuyog, the home of the Buyogan Festival is a 1st class municipality in the province of Leyte, Philippines. It is the largest town of the island of Leyte in terms of land area facing Leyte Gulf out into the Pacific Ocean...
won the street dance championship. Aside from the official Aliwan Fiesta website, there is a decent blog that has a listing of the winners for 2010 with videos on display.
Coffee table book
MBC presented a coffee table bookCoffee table book
A coffee table book is a hardcover book that is intended to sit on a coffee table or similar surface in an area where guests sit and are entertained, thus inspiring conversation or alleviating boredom. They tend to be oversized and of heavy construction, since there is no pressing need for...
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
Filipino people
The Filipino people or Filipinos are an Austronesian ethnic group native to the islands of the Philippines. There are about 92 million Filipinos in the Philippines, and about 11 million living outside the Philippines ....
'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.
Controversies
Iloilo City-based columnist Nelson Robles claimed that Cebu City's Sinulog Festival won its first Aliwan Fiesta championship because the judges were "intimidated by the presence of Department of TourismDepartment of Tourism (Philippines)
The Department of Tourism is the executive department of the Philippine government responsible for the regulation of the Philippine tourism industry and the promotion of the Philippines as a tourist destination....
Secretary Ace Durano
Joseph Ace Durano
Joseph Hotchkiss Durano , popularly known as Ace Durano, was one of the youngest to be elected representative to the 11th congress...
who allegedly secretly lobbied for Sinulog Festival" to win the competition. Durano is a former congressman of Cebu Province. Meanwhile, an altercation between the musicians of Sinulog Festival of Carmen, Cebu
Carmen, Cebu
Carmen is a 3rd class municipality in the province of Cebu, Philippines. According to the 2007 census, it has a population of 41,279 people.-Barangays:Carmen is administratively subdivided into 21 barangays:-External links:* *...
and Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos, Leyte, happened in 2008. Representatives of Sinulog claimed that they were attacked by the team members of Alikaraw, while the latter said it was the other way around. The fight was quickly pacified by the organizers.