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Aliwan Fiesta: A Showcase of Unique Filipino Culture

Posted on April 30, 2007

April 28 was no ordinary date in the Philippine calendar. It was the day when the 5th Aliwan Fiesta was held in Manila, Philippines.

Aliwan Fiesta is an event organized by the media outfit Manila Broadcasting Corporation. It’s aim is to bring all the festivals of the country in Manila for a one big festival championship. As expected, thousands drove to the streets of Manila, from Quirino Grandstand, down to the Aliw Theater in CCP Complex to witness the four kilometer-streetdance.

Dancing for the million peso grand prize, the Sinulog Festival of Cebu City

Twenty two Festivals competed for the 1Million Peso Grand Prize and the bragging rights as the Philippines’ Best Festival. Competing delegations all came in from as far as Baguio City in the north, and Maguindanao in the south.

Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival

For the first time in the short history of Aliwan Fiesta, Cebu City’s Sinulog Festival represented by the group Lumad Basakanon won the grand title for two straight years now. This year’s first runner up and winner of half a million pesos is Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival. The third place winner is Hilongos, Leyte’s Alikaraw Festival. It was the first time that Alikaraw Festival joined the Aliwan, and yet they were able to land in the top three already.

Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos, Leyte
First-timer AlikarawFestival of Hilongos, Leyte

Various festivals have showcased the unique culture in their respective cities and provinces. The Pasalamat Festival of Pagadian City is a celebration of thanksgiving for a bountiful fish catch. The Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City portrays how an ati, a dark skinned native of Panay dressed up in full regalia to conform to the norms of modernity. The Disposorio Festival of Hagonoy Bulacan retells the unique courtship culture the Tagalogs have, commonly known as the pamamanhikan. the Sinulog Festival tells the story of fisherman who went out to sea but didn’t catch any fish at all. They all prayed to the Santo Niño, and was later blessed with an abundant catch.

You like the blog post? Check out the other half of this adventure at Sugarloaded!