Aliwan Fiesta 2008 winners surprises and disappointments
Posted on May 5, 2008
The Aliwan Fiesta streetdance competiton is finally over. But the talk is obviously not yet over. People still love to discuss highlights and the lowlights of the Philippine’s Grandest Fiesta.
Here are some photos from the recently concluded Alilwan Fiesta 2008:
Three-in-a-row Grand Prize Winner, The Lumad Basakanon group of Cebu Sinulog Festival -
I was kind of surprised whrn they were announced as the winner. The routine is very predictable. The had alsmot the same dance choreography just like in 2006 and 2007. Comstume has some kind of similarity too. The only difference I see this year are the green bananas. They were fishermen last year and coconut harverts in 2006. Hopefully they would try to infuse innovations next year. I love their executions though.
First runner-up Tribu Paghidaet of Dinagyang Festival Iloilo City
While checking the Youtube video sometime last week, I was doubting if Dinagyang could ever pull a surprise win. The rehearsal video was lousy. They’re not synchronized. Not a good team to be declared an Aliwan Champion. But their May 3 performance at the Alliw theater proved me wrong. Pin-sharp accuracy and synchronization is their big gun. Perfect routine. The costume change is I guess unique only to this group. No ther festival I belive, has ever done this in Aliwan. They were the most-applauded group in the 24-team Aliwan Fiesta dance showdown.
2nd Runner up - Sinulog Festival of Carmen Cebu
I have heard about Carmen last January when some camps accused them of copying the concept and costume of Lumad Basakanon who was declared the Free Interpretation Category Champion of the Sinulog Festival. Carmen became the bridesmade to Lumad Basakanon.
Their costume indeed has some similarities to the ones used by LUmab Basakanon, especially the brown skin-tone tights printed with tatoo patterns. Anyway, I don’t have any complains on their choreography. I love it. They were actually my choice ti be the first runner-up. My third runner up choice was Buyogan Festival of Abuyog Lete.
My biggest disappointment - Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos Leyte
I have seen them in Aliwan Fiesta 2007. I have also seen their routine during Sinulog Festival through Youtube. Their Costume during Sinulog 2008, whiwch they also used last May3 is the same. Their routine last sinulog was better than what they had last Aliwan Fiesta 2007. So I am only expecting nothing but an outstanding number from them. But Lo and behlod. They failed miserably. Thye moment I saw their routine, I was already sure that they wont land in the top 3.
Biggest killjoy - The heavy downpour
Just minutes before 4PM May 3, rains started to pour all over Metro Manila. Leaving all the dancers wet, make up and body paints washed from their faces and bodies. While Photographers were scampering for shelter. The hour-long rain has flooded the area where the dancers whould be performing in front of the Aliw Theater. Not to mention the pressbox. I need to wade through a two-inch deep (that’s just an estimate) of flooded water just to get inside the are reserved for press.
Right after the competition, I reviewed my noted and made my own Top 10. I am not sure if am just lucky or what, but 9 out of my 10 top made it. Included in my top 10 which didn’t made it was the Meguyaya Festival. The 10th spot on the winners list was gotten by Disposorio Singkaban Festival of Hagonoy Bulacan.
More photos soon!
» Filed Under Events, Festivals
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80 Responses to ”Aliwan Fiesta 2008 winners surprises and disappointments”
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flamebait!
big surprise to me is sinulog, “almost the same” performance.hahahaha..too lame.. they cant get enough with last years choreo..
sore losers… hah! c’mon, dinagyang was just a running routine with some flipping of hands here and there. they look like retard gymnasts. they dont even deserve to be on the 2nd place. pinagbiyan lang kayo, not even the stage that you brought and huge props helped you win the crown. insecure losers!
I am half Ilonggo HAlf Cebuano; Wala dapat ako kampihan sa Dalawa. PEro as an artist, i do favor Dinagyang. Their choreography is intricately woven.. thier dance is well research.. The story line is very well said..Maybe these is the secret of Ilonggo why they win performances abroad.. I seen Dinagyang Before Performing with standing applause in other countries. But Lossing the Aliwan thus not mean they are not the best. I do really Appreciate Ilonggo how they value thier Ancestors and culture. They are such one of the most intellectual and noble race in the country. For Cebu I am also proud that they win…But i want cebuanos to perform showcasing their truly original dances and culture. U know Aliwan is showing your historicity not just dancing or having colorful costume. History Tells that both Iloilo and Cebu are the best islands that these country can offer. Ilonggo has thier Aetas and babaylans but i am not adept with Cebuano, I guess the best challenge for my other race is to draw and create a culture that is original from them. Mabuhay ang Aliwan…My Salute to Ilonggo and my congratulations to Cebuanos.
I agree as an advocate of history… amateur historian.. dancer choreographer. I seen the performance. Ilonggo dances well.. their energy is superb. They did not go to the field of battle without back up of history. Thier the best i guess. I seen Ilonggos also winning Asian Folk dance, and seen dinagyang touring around the world with great applause. The secret for a good “Aliwan” concept is captured by Ilonggo. The dance Specially of the young ladies..if you study history is truly Aeta, But i guess their is a small flaws..Aeata are hunters.. so the male must not be called “warriors” or must not like one, however hunters can be warriors if provoked.. so Ilonggo still read history well, and conceptualize it in their performances. Making Iloilo The Festival Capital of the country. But this is not the board to discredit other race. I admire cordillera.. they dance and play with great originality. The mindanao for showcasing their great costumes. But sad for Manila..maybe they totally lose thier true Filipino sense..:)
well what can i say, this is ILONGGOS “SOUR GRAPING HAVEN”, its only me and robert defending our beloved place here. No matter what you do or how much post some negative comments against CEBU, the TITLE “FIRST ALIWAN GRANDSLAM CHAMPION & HALL OF FAMER” will not be changed.
ACCEPTANCE is a key in order for you to get over it!. Accept defeat because there is always a next ALIWAN FIESTA,who knows itS your year next year? but for now its CEBU’S TIME so let us just RESPECT THE JUDGES DECISON!and be happy coz after all we are STILL FILIPINOS, why do we have to fighT>?
I am happy to read comments that has sense…Yes true mga Kumpadres. Maybe the judges decision is irrivocable so wala dapat pag awayan. YEah Ilonggo do well Talaga. Noon pa.. Dinagyang is well coveted in thier performance.. “sabi nga nila pagnanalo pa ang mga Ilonggo sa susunod na taon ayaw ng iba” I remember last last year na puro Festival ng Iloilo ang nanalo..first second etc… Maybe because in Iloilo..hindi lamang sila sumasayaw or umiindak.. They read and do it by heart.. hindi dahil sa premyo. As an artist also.. Dinagyang has nothing to proved..They have tour the world nga di ba…I seen them performing in Rome and in New york if not mistaken matanda na ako… and in some asian Festival..Nakanganga ang mga Puti..promise. U dancing is not colors.. it has always with meaning.. a deep meaning..Thank you Iloilo…Sana MArami pa kayong mapapaligaya tulad ko at ng aking pamilya..Actually im sending my Daughter to Iloilo to learn Dance in Western Visayas State University..Thanks..not in manila but in Iloilo. and she agress with a smile.
Hoy mga Cebuano nga “Odong” kag “Damak”.. wala nang aaway sa inyo.. If your read the comments sa taas.. they never said na masama ang inyong sinulog..That is not sour graping..they are not Ilonggo i guess.. YAn ang problema sa Cebuano.. Sila na lang lahat….MAganda rin naman ang ibang tribe ah.. Akala niyo nasiyahan ang mga Taga Luzon sa inyo.. sa inyo na yan ang Cebu niyo.. Separate na nga kayo sa Pilipinas.. anong concept ng pintados na naka gold.. tapos nangunguha ng saging..may mga unggoy ba na Gold. Pintados is original to Leyte and of the “panay island” las islas de pintados according to spanish na manunulat. The reason why spanish leave Cebu for Iloilo dahil nagutom sila. Read history iha and iho. Walang nang aano sa inyo pino provoke niyo ang iba.. kung ayaw ang gusto niyo then lay your cards.
Cebuanos are copy cut…I am a Cebuano..and its painful to admit that we just copy the dances.. Sinulog is not Drum beats and not wearing almost the same with aeta or pintados.. We must stand to what is the essense of “sinulog” and not try to copy the other festival.. We must accept that Dinagyang, Ati-atihan, pintados is not our festival.. but we try to make dances almost the same beacuse we see that they win always.. in aliwan. “nakasaya noon ang Sinulog” but i seen them dancing like Ati-atihan in drum beats. My Gosh wht a shame.. We copy others originality and then use our advantage because we have the money back up by Ace Duarano.. To prove to the country that we are the best. Stop Cebuano.. Look Cordillera they dance in thier own ifugao culture..even i close my eyes i know that they are ifugao just hearing their music. The beat of the drums is long before Aeta Dances..So Ibigay natin sa Iloilo or AKlan ang Ati-atihan.. When u say sinulog …what is the thing that symbolize us. Winning the hall of Fame.. and lossing our identity is what u are trying to say a great win.. common fellow cebuanos.. We must dance in our guitars…Give to Cesar what is for cesar.. MAgaling Tayo but not so trying hard. okies.
sad to say aliwan festival is losing its credibelity.it is really disappointing that cebu won 3x in a row.their performance is mediocre and there is no relevance in the culture and history the way they portray the honor to sto. nino.this is a national shame to our filipino culture.even in this context corruption and deceit still exist not only in our political system.wake up guys..
i cannot blame why there are issues circulating around that there was something fishy in the just concluded aliwan festival.in the field of aesthetics it is the majority who has the authority and the credibility to say who is the best.creativity,historicity,cultural background and performance matters in competition like this of aliwan.so objectivity in this context should be given due consideration in judging.now,where is the objectivity when the winner dont have it and did not even lived up to the expectations of the majority watching the event?it is very clear and obvious that dinagyang is the peoples choice,why is it that there was a turn out of the decision?cmon judges,there are only 6 of you compared to the thousands who are for dinagyang,and the issue here is aesthetics..come to think of it.are you better than the thousands?and to note dinagyang has all the elements mentioned above.sorry for sinulog you dont have it.yours is just but a recycled performance and no historical component.you dont deserve the title therefore you are not worthy of it.
re: Borak (on the pintados)
for the love of god. if you’re gonna site history, make sure you got your facts straight cause you’re deadbeat wrong. why don’t you come to cebu and i’ll bring you to the university of sancarlos historical museum, ill smack you with the bones of my ancestors, who’s dried skin still has tattooed paintings on it.
i’m sure this sour graping from ilonggos stem from two facts: 1st, with cebu snatching the ‘queen city of the south’ title, and now defeating the allegedly “best festival event” thrice consecutively.
as i said somewhere in youtube before:
ilo-ilo once the celebrated bride, now just a bridesmaid. sorry but u failed. instead of crying yourselves to sleep, just indulge in the consolation that your going to new york or some damned place in the earth and sell your shtick.
excuse me red!may i remind you that in competition like this it is just but normal to have reactions especially when the winner dont deserve it.it is evident and very clear that your sinulog had a mediocre performance and still won the 1st place award.aesthetics and relevance,sinulog dont have these,so expect that people will react in this way.and do not mix up the issue that is totally out of context.this is not sour graping since the performance speaks for itself..for dinagyang still HALA BIRA ILOILO!!!VIVA SENIOR STO. NINO!!!
THE MATCH IS OVER
THE JUDGES HAS DECIDED
THE DECISION IS FINAL
THE TITLE WAS ALREADY GIVEN
* NO NEED TO FIGHT AND ARGUE BECAUSE NO MATTER WHAT, THE RESULTS OF ALIWAN 2008 IS FIXED AND FINAL.
maganda naman ang cebu kaso lang di ko po ma gets bat may bibit silang saging ano po ang connection ng saging sa sinulog. at saka yng performance nila the same last year at yng costume my kunting innovation lng.unlike sa dinagyang mabilis yng choreography at colorful ang costume.kung performance level lng thumbs up ako sa dinagyang.
WATCH NA LANG KAYO DINAGYANG 2009 MALAPIT NA!
JANUARY 23-25,2009 ILOILO CITY, PHILIPPINES
Too bad that i missed this. But thanks to your pictures it is as if i was also there..
to my fellow cebuano… red i study history..i am a historian also…Have u heard Cebuanos to be considered bearing the title ” Tatoed Malay” Only the Panay ISland does have the title written by the Spanish.. and u know where is Iloilo.. it is the center of Panay Island.. As what im saying your ancestor in San Carlos museum might be a migrant from other island. OR may they are are traveller from Panay. Historically We cebuano should not emphasize pintados costume since it is not ours.
Hoy mga Ilonggo mGA Tikalon Hindi Marunong Magpakumbaba at ayaw Tumanggap ng Pagkatalo…kaya Nanalo ang Cebu dahil maganda ang Choreograhy wlang sablay pagdating sa sayaw at magANDA rin anamn ang Costume nila ha…PUmunta nga kayo sa Sinulog sa Cebu city pra maramdaman nyoat makita ang Syaw nga SINULOG…One dance one Beat k
to GLen Mclife
bat naman kami pupunta sa cebu??to enjoy watching the must see black suede canister scandal..nakakahiya kayo..pati cnn nafeature kayo..tsk.tsk..
i have to agree with arianne. the result of the aliwan dance parade was indeed FIXED! that is why the best contingent did not win because it was indeed FIXED. hehe
and again… insisting the title grand slam winner. no you’re not. you just won three consecutive years.
glen and arriane hello!!your being narrow mindedness is driving you mad and your conduct is unbecoming,we should not hate each other,OK? now to the issue,you must consider that if the majority have a doubt,it is just but normal to clarify that doubt in order to be enlightened.the just concluded aliwan which your sinulog won created controversies for the reasons that you(2) already know I supposed,unless you deny this.your sinulog is nothing but full of recycle,no cultural relevance and of mediocre performance.worst,the decision of the 6 judges favoring your festival totally defies the sense of aesthetics.is the 6 of them better than the thousands watching and are vying for dinagyang?cmon guys!!this is simple common sense!so the reality is!!your sinulog do not deserve the title and not worthy of it!!and in the hearts and minds of the many people who witnessed the event they ARE FOR DINAGYANG.WE WON THE PEOPLE’S HEART!!AND THIS IS OUR VINDICATION!!
lahat nlng kinukopya. few years ago ang theme ng dinagyang is one dance,one beat.pati theme kinukopya nlng. ay ahay..
people sour graping over sinulog’s victory.
WHATEV.
in the meantime lumad basakanon is a million peso richer and our baby performers from carmen got the 3rd spot. you ought to be sourgraping, ’cause give a couple more years, more sinulog performers will perform in aliwan… sa kangkungan pupulutin yang dinagyang.
dinagyang>failed.
ilo-ilo>pwnd.
Wala naman sigurong copyright ang Lumad Basakanon pagdating sa Pintado leotards. Kapag sumali uli ang Pintados Festival ng Tacloban baka sabihan din sila na manggagaya ng costume.
Anyway, I was hoping na makakapasok ang Alikaraw kaya lang nga medyo sloppy ang execution (nagmamadali ‘yung mga bata eh), pero gaya mo Sinulog’s win was a surprise as well (pati na rin ang pagpasok ng Desposorio sa Top 10 kahit na recycled ang costumes at routine). Sayang din at hindi nakapasok ang Meguyaya, which I thought was the best among Mindanao contingents.
Don’t get me wrong, manonood pa rin ako next year pero sana naman tigilan na ang pag-recyle. Ginagawa ‘yan sa mga basura, hindi sa sayaw.
sa issue kahapon(5/6/08) ng phil daily inquirer.ang picture ng dinagyang ang nakalagay.bakit hindi ang cebu? sila naman ang nanalo di ba?
sa issue ng sun-star daily, manila bulletin and freeman cebu contingent ang inilagay s front page noong sunday!
i can’t believe how sore of a loser you guys can become. is this what too much pride does to you or what? you’ve been talking about the contest being rigged for three years now. why? because you failed to get the title? LOL. well, we can’t blame you. your dinagyang’s the best festival event in the country right? LOL. if that is true, let it be known to everyone by just accepting defeat gracefully without blabbing til kingdom come. i thought ilonggos are gentle and very romantic people? what happened to that?
luis,
dyan mo makita na majority of people loves Dinagyang kaya yun nilagay nila sa frontpage sa inquirer, baka pag sinulog ang nilagay nila walang bibili ng diaryo nila.
redzeitgeist,
DI NIYO KAYANG DALHIN SA KANGKUNGAN ANG DINAGYANG, A 2ND PLACE FOR 3 CONSECUTIVE TIMES PROVED THAT DINAGYANG IS THE REAL WINNER, VERY OBVIOUS NA SINISINGIT LANG NA MAG-FIRST PLACE ANG SINULOG.
KASI KUNG TALAGANG KAYA NIYO IBAGSAK ANG DINAGYANG MATAGAL NA DAPAT, PERO BAKIT NASA 2ND PLACE PA RIN?
L
In a competition, winning the Grand Prize for three consecutive years will really make those who cannot accept defeat more angry & insecure. Their minds are already closed to their bet so they cannot appreciate the brilliant performance of Lumad Basakanon. Their belief is you are good but we are better. Now, i asked: what do you think of the judges fool? that they were paid? that’s why you are second. HEllo? Look at Cebu now! The fastest growing metropolis in the country today! That is because of Cebuanos spirit & passion for excellence. As what the mayor of Cebu says, it’s not about props or dances but the spirit of dancers which lead them to winning. Thanks
Richard,
Did you watch this year Aliwan?
yes of course!
Three contingents Lumad, Dinagyang and Carmen did brilliant performances. Lumad (more fluid in body/movement), Dinagyang (precise execution and Complex routines) Carmen ( combination of those factors mentioned). They were awesome. But judges need to be respected as there will always be ist, second and third.
Richard!who told you of that and where in the world did you get that observation??are you there during the performance proper?if indeed youre there, are you deaf and blind to the responses of the crowd to dinagyang performance?aesthetics,historicity,and cultural relevance your sinulog is no much to dinagyang during the presentation..cmon..your sinulog dont deserve the title..the sense of beauty does not depend on 6 judges alone but on the responses of the majority..and DINAGYANG HAS IT while your sinulog do not have it..what a shame to our nationwide cultural presentations!!
You said it!The beauty of the presentation does not also depend on the crowd. Note:(there’s no audience impact on the criteria).If there is, i dont think the Lumad will not also try jumping high or eating fire with all the props and expensive custumes to impress the crowd. But this competition is not about pleasing the crowd but a cultural presentation of each province they represent. That’s why we have judges who will determine who wins according to the criteria. Dinagyang may have the crowd but Sinulog has the heart and the spirit to become number one. Dinagyang is very good and spectacular but Sinulog is more brilliant and after watching leaves you with a smile on your face.
Common, you are just sour graping. Remember this: The hardest thing in this world is to accept reality and that is to accept defeat. Better luck next time…..God bless us all.
richard;now,you are contradicting your claim because your sinulog lacks cultural relevance and historicty.THIS IS A FACT!!audience impact indeed is not part of the criteria, but I am raising here the issue about the beauty of the presentation according to the perception of the majority.and your sinulog has no matched compared to DINAGYANG in this matter.this is based on the audience impact!!and talking of beauty in this context, it refers to what is visible and pleasing to the eye of the majority..therefore we cannot but suspect the decision of the 6 judges.OK!!and mentioning about spirit and the heart, do you think dinagyang dont have it?? look at the way how they perform..may i suggest too..how could you answer this..A RECYCLED AND A MEDIOCRE PERFORMANCE WITH NO HISTORICITY AND CULTURAL RELEVANCE WON THE 1ST PLACE AWARD IN A CONTEST FEATURING THE NATIONS FESTIVAL..C’MON!!
Dinagyang Tribu Paghidaet will be at Makati this coming Friday afternoon, May 9, 2008. This is your chance to see them again.
They will join the Makati Grand Parade.
Other participants in the parade include the Makati Cycling Federation, Tribu Carlota with Groove Manila, and Makati-based companies such as Multinational Bancorporation and Amalgamated Development Corp., Metrobank, Loyola Plans, Cocolife, National Life Insurance Co., Rufino Pacific Tower/VAR Buildings, Inc., Pacific Star, Philamlife Tower, Social Security System, Megaworld Corp., Association of Makati Industries
The event will also feature clowns and mimes, bands, Higantes, unicyclists, stilt walkers, and other street dancers and performers, including Makati Caracol 2008 winners and Mananayaw ng Makati.
well what can i say, this is ILONGGOS “SOUR GRAPING HAVEN”, its only me robert richard and re defending our beloved place here. No matter what you do or how much post some negative comments against CEBU, the TITLE “FIRST ALIWAN GRANDSLAM CHAMPION & HALL OF FAMER” will not be changed.
ACCEPTANCE is a key in order for you to get over it!. Accept defeat because there is always a next ALIWAN FIESTA,who knows itS your year next year? but for now its CEBU’S TIME so let us just RESPECT THE JUDGES DECISON!and be happy coz after all we are STILL FILIPINOS, why do we have to fighT>?
The QUEEN CITY OF THE SOUTH
NO MATTER WHAT!
C E B U
GRAND CHAMPION
ALIWAN FESTIVAL
2006, 2007,2008
No.4 Best Business Outsourcing Destination in Asia
No.7 Best Island Destination in the Asia Pacific
No. 8 Best Future City in Asia
“Now the Country’s Fastest Growing Metropolis”
People’s Champ ang Dinagyang.
Most of the people here in Metro Manila who watched the Aliwan Fiesta 2008 likes the Dinagyang performance.
Kahit di sila nagchampion sa Aliwan Fiesta we are still agog with their performance.
This is why we will be watching them tomorrow in Makati City.
Di naman ako makapunta ng Iloilo kaya dito ko na lang sila abangan.
whoever saw the aliwan would really be disappointed with the results. the energy of the dingayang contingent was incomparable. they were energetic from start to finish, even their streetdance. and to think they were dancing from quirino grandstand up to the aliw theater. and all they can say is that sinulog won because they were synchronized? well, any tribe who dance the same routine every year for three years would be. i read a blog that posted the supposed judges scoring. these were the supposed score: lumad - 1,1,2,2,2,3 dinagyang - 1,1,1,2,4,5 carmen - 2,2,2,3,3,4. if these were true, then there’s something fishy with the result. it seem that these 2 judges scored dinagyang that low so that sinulog will win. unless these 2 judges have problems with their eyes because whatever the 3 judges who ranked dinagyang first saw, they never witnessed. my guess… they weren’t that attentive, or maybe not that credible at all.
typo…
*** dinagyang contingent
****it seems that ****
Whoever says that Dinagyang is incomparable to Sinulog is crazily dreaming or having wishful thinking. Hoy gumising nga kayo sa katotohanan at baka pokpokin ko ang mga ulo nyo ng martilyo para matauhan kayo. Mga ambisyoso..inggitero… mahiya nga kayo…..Kaya hindi tayo umaasenso dahil hindi kayo marunong tumanggap ng pagkatalo. 3 times winner na ang Lumad hanggang ngayon ay nagdadalamhati pa kayo… hintayin niyo ang pang apat at panglima….kawawa naman kayo..peoples champ daw…sa mata ng fans ninyo…eh sa mata ng mga cebuano at mga fans ng Lumad sila rin ang panalo. Kaya nga may hurado….Wala na kayong magagawa… Manigas kayo.. ha ha ha ha….
Abangan ninyo next year marami pang magagaling na contingents from Cebu ang sasali. Dinagyang watch out! mag practice na kayo. Baka fans niyo ay iiyak na naman. hu hu hu hu….
Ed, your biased, narrow-minded, one-sided and inferior judgment about Sinulog saying that it lacks cultural relevance and historicity is only in the mind of a loser who doesn’t think what he is talking. Shame on you people who cannot accept defeat…
4 & 5 scores, hmmm?
Cebu’s Sinulog winning the Aliwan Fiesta 3 times does not mean that they are the “Best Festival in the Philippines”, they can’t take that from Iloilo City - which is recognized as “THE BEST TOURISM EVENT IN THE PHILIPPINES” for three consecutive years. right?!
you people have no basis.
your “narrow-minded rants” here cannot put down the credebility and the name that Dinagyang Festival has been making AROUND THE WORLD.
If we have no basis for this issue, THIS POST WILL NEVER BE ON THIS WEBSITE!
It’s not about the defeat we feel bad about so, its about the “Aliwan System” that turned out to be a symbol on how we Filipinos are sometimes ignorant - we watch and like the things that we want, we forget to appreciate and accept the fact that YOU MAY HAVE WON THE COMPETITION, BUT IT DOES NOT FOLLOW THAT YOU CEBUANOS HAVE THE RICHEST CULTURE AND HERITAGE.
You may have all the attention, because you are already CEBU.
My question is…kaninong contingent kaya ang mas aabangan next year…???
hehehe! hindi kayo mkasagot noh?!
Iloilo who a lot of people (especially the audience) say they did not deserve to loose last 2008 who is now aiming for the championship.
or ang CEBU na dati pa na alam ng lahat ay halos KULANG ang innovation in terms of creativity in their performance and despite that trend for the last 3 years (except sa BANANAS HA! BAGO YUN!, HAHAHA!)
sila parin kaya ang mananalo sa Aliwan?
SINULOG PARIN KAYA ANG MAS AABANGAN NG MGA TAO???
(ACTUALLY HINDI NAMAN TALAGA KAYO ANG INAABANGAN EH!!! DINAGYANG FESTIVAL ANG PARATING MAS INAABANGAN! kahit saan! mula Mall of Asia, Makati, New York - Philippine Independence Day Celebration - the biggest one abroad at kung saan saan pa including Europe.)
maliban nalang kung “CREDIBLE PARIN ANG ALIWAN FIESTA!”
KUNG CEBU PARIN MANANALO NEXT YEAR - SA INYO NALANG YAN! MARAMI PA KAMING MGA GIG SA IBANG BANSA!!!
and last but not the least for this post alone…AS An amateur PHOTOGRAPHER o kahit spectator nalang, mas harmonized ang performance at mas RELEVANT hindi lang ang costume pati ang buong performance ng DINAGYANG FESTIVAL!
hindi kayo mga Cebuanos dapat mabahala…hindi naman dapat kayo ang inaaway dito eh…kaso UBER defensive na kayo.
If you deserve the prize, let it be.
WE ALL CANNOT DENY THE TRUE AND REAL SENTIMENT OF THE PEOPLE.
WE SHOUD’NT LET THIS REACH THIS LEVEL ACTUALLY, bilang mga Pinoy, dapattayong magkaisa!
NAGHAHANAP LANG NG INTRIGA ANG ALIWAN PARA MAS TANGKILIKIN PA SILA SA MGA SUSUNOD NA TAON.
SA SOBRANG “SIDE PROMOTIONS” NIYO, BAKA MAWALAN KAYO NG KREDEBILIDAD! MAWAWALAN DIN KAYO NANG MILLIONES!
The organizers should have an official statement regarding this matter.
and next time…kahit ano ka bigatin ng judges na kinukuha niyo kung wala namang true sense of being an artist na hindi biased but knows how to appreciate a meaningful performance,
kumuha nalang kayo ng foriegners!
or better yet…wala nakang aliwan!
the issues unclarified are defeating your purpose and goal for this event.
my gush no comment nalang sa costume at props niyo ha!
hahahahahaha!
as in!
next time wag naman kayong mangopya ng concept in the over-all performance…at tsaka, duh!
pintados! sa inyo?! helur!
heto ang nakasulat sa itaas ho:
“to my fellow cebuano… red i study history..i am a historian also…Have u heard Cebuanos to be considered bearing the title ” Tatoed Malay” Only the Panay ISland does have the title written by the Spanish.. and u know where is Iloilo.. it is the center of Panay Island.. As what im saying your ancestor in San Carlos museum might be a migrant from other island. OR may they are are traveller from Panay. Historically We cebuano should not emphasize pintados costume since it is not ours.”
CLEAR!?
That’s all.
sa mga langka gali btw,
WHAT’S THE RELATIONSHIP OF CEBU’S WATEVER BOOMING ECONOMY HERE!?
WE ARE TALKING MUCH ABOUT CULTURE HERE!
WHO CARES ABOUT YOUR RANKS IN THE VERY PRESTIGIOUS RECOGNITION-GIVING BODIES.
BAKIT ANG ECONOMY NIYO BAH ANG NAGPAPATAKBO SA ALIWAN FIESTA???!
sa unang post koh..as I was trying to say, as a photographer mas picturesque parin ang dinagyang costumes kaysa sa recyclables nyo ha! hahahahahah!
go pundit…mga LANGKA gd man na clah…hahahaha..
ECONOMY lang ila pambato…
hahaha…sbhin na nating mayaman ang CEBU,
Kaya marami clang perang pang “SUHOL” sa judges…
hahahaha
iloilo has the best! i dont know if the rumor is true that cebu win because of ace durano… he’s from cebu, ryt? and he doesn’t want to lose tourism in cebu because the number of tourists in iloilo are increasing every year. stil, if cebu had won the grand slam prize, iloilo is still the home of the best festival in the world. don’t include politics in this game! still, ILOILO IS THE BEST!
DENNIS HELLO!!Im am basing my observations on the performance of your sinulog,and Im raising it based on the ff.grounds:first,what is the relevance of monkeys,bananas,and gold costumes to your cultural heritage??how could you interpret that in honor of the SENOR STO. NINO??do they interrelate to one another?? second, the wave wave formation,running here and there,and a recycled performance to the sense of beauty??a repetitive performance already lost its elements of aesthetics!!it is in this area that we suspect something wrong is going on!!cmon!!third, worst in the area of history, for never in the performance of sinulog did it portrayed how your anscestors recieved the NINO from the Spaniards,lastly,and to note too why is it that guitars were not used as musical instruments for it depicts your cultural heritage..SO YOUR SINULOG HAS NO SENSE OF HISTORY,BEAUTY, AND CULTURAL RELEVANCE!!
dennis, dennis, dennis, where you really there last aliwan? have you not seen the performance of dinagyang? because if you were really there last aliwan then you’ll see why dinagyang’s performance is the best.
dennis, dennis, dennis, were you really there last aliwan? have you not seen the performance of dinagyang? because if you were really there last aliwan then you’ll see why dinagyang’s performance is the best.
PUNDIT!Iloilo won best Tourism Event only 2x and Cebu doesn’t mind coz it’s the number 1 tourist destination in the philippines today with more than half a million FOREIGN tourist visited last year. Best tourism event nga wala naman sa 8 best anchor destination in the philippines that includes Manila,Cebu,Baguio,Laog,Palawan,Boracay, Bohol and Davao at kunti naman ang foreign tourist na pumupunta. I want you to know that Sinulog contributed a lot to Cebu’s tourism Industry,that’s why 6 hotels today are under construction in Cebu:
40 floors Crown Regency, 25 floors Grand Cenia, 25 floors Hongkong Plaza, 21 floors Nature’s Hotel, 600 rooms 2(10 floors)Imperial plaza, 22 floors Sofitel Hotel and a lot more (addition of 2,000 rooms) w/c will make Cebu’s total of 10,000 hotel rooms by next year.Wala pa rito ang condominiums and BPO bldgs(at least 20 high rise bldgs). Ano bang meron ang Iloilo? It has less than 2,000 hotel rooms at present. ALVIN, mahiya ka dahil marami pang kakaining bigas ang Iloilo when it comes to the no. of tourist arrivals. Cebu is already an International Destination while Iloilo still competes with the National level.
Buti pa si Mayor Treñas, knows how to accept defeat. Pero kayo!!!!!!!!!! ang titigas ng ulo nyo….he he he….. galing ng Lumad at Carmen… maganda rin ang Dinagyang….well, you can say what you want…. ingatan niyo lang puso niyo dahil talo ang favorite niyo….Hoy mahiya kayo na Dinagyang talaga ang favorite… na amazed lang ang mga tao sa mga aeta dahil marunong din palang sumayaw….. ha ha ha… at maganda rin ang attire ha? ha ha ha.. prepare for the fight next year… knowing Cebu, the dance sport capital of Asia…. di talaga patatalo yan.
bye….
fine…! is that all you have to say?!
my gush you did not even beat a third of our points and opinions.
we don’t deny your point that Cebu really has a lot bigger room for expansion, but why the hell are you pondering these things?
the issue is very simple.
why make it complicated and be so defensive of the fact that dinagyang stole the hearts of the expectators at aliwan and even in other parts of the world…!
we understand that you love ur festival (of course!) but the thing is…you have a great advantage when it comes to your economy yet its not OKAY to accaept all defeats, at all times, at all costs.
You may not know how much we prepare everytime dinagyang comes - hou bongga na kayo, though Iloilo may not be as progressive as you are right now, it is still the original queen city of the south - where one can really find the true sense of rich culture and heritage.
eh sa inyo, ano ba ang hinahabol ng mga IBANG tourista na MANYAK, hahahahaha!
konti lang sa amin yan, pero sa inyo…one of the looming problem of your society, immorality.
Kung sa amin problema namin kuryente, sa inyo, PROSTI;
huwag niyo na kasing palalain pa ang away dito, don’t go any deeper with you point that don’t make up any sense at all.
hindi nga Cebu ang pinepersonal namin, yung questionable system ng Aliwan Fiesta including the judges…ganun!
gets?!
JASON HELLO!!just a bit of information for you to know about the economic prospects of our city.first, we already had a new airport of international standard,once this will be fully operational this will compete with mactan airport.second,the metro iloilo and guimaras council with the backing of foreign donors already came up with a master plan for the economic devt. of iloilo and guimaras.3rd,the entry of megaworld will pave the way to make iloilo be known in the world in the call center industry,to note we have the advantage in human resources compared to cebu in this matter because of our educational excellence.4rt,our festivals like dinagyang and paraw regatta are drawing bigger and bigger spectators and tourists every year!that is why we are the best tourism event and our tribes were asked to perform in other countries to showcase our cultural heritage.and for the record it is boracay who holds the record of the biggest number of tourists who visited the country every year.5th,iloilo is known as OFW country so even if we still dont have industrial centers,we have the buying power here.soon we will have industrial centers,the 1,000 hectares of land in leganes is already waiting, not to count the areas in pavia already identified for industrial centers.OK!!WITH THIS!!ILOILO CITY IS THE NEXT BIG THING!!THE PREMIER CITY IN 2015!!
ED! Nag ilusyon ka na naman, parang dinagyang na gusto mong maging ist prize winner na di nya nagawa for the last 3 years dahil mas magaling ang Cebu. HELLO!!!The “Premier City in 2015″?????Meaning 7 years from now? what??? Baka batukan kayo ng Davao at Cagayan de Oro nyan. Malapit na kayong maging ka level ng Bacolod at the rate going for your info!!! nagpapatawa ka ba? ha ha ha ha…..
1)Metro Cebu is the fastest growing metropolis in our Country TODAY generating much bigger investments in tourism, construction, real state, BPO/Information Technology, Service& Retail than any province in our country. That is a FACT! Hindi natutulog ang CEBU unlike Iloilo na tahimik na at 11pm. BAka di mo alam almost 30 buildings under construction ngayon in Metro Cebu from 10 floors to 40 floors. Iloilo wala ni isang 10 story bldg. AS of now white elephant pa ang airport nyo and that remains to be seen kung when sya magkakaroon ng International flights to compete with Cebu.2) Boracay has more than 200,000 foreign visitors last year(karamihan ay local tourist for your info)while Cebu has more than 500,000 foreign visitors. Mag research ka nga!! Total tourist arrival for Cebu province almost 1.2 million last year. Iloilo has more than 200,000 (more local).3)Cebu is the Center of Education in ViSMIN area. Hello??? ikaw lang nag sabi na ILoilo has excellent education compared to Cebu. What?? Baka batukan kayo ng Silliman, Ateneo de Davao at Xavier nyan. Sa latest survey ng top 20 universities in the philippines walang Iloilo univ na nakapasok while USC ng Cebu ranks number 9.BEst law School VisMin USC.Best Medical School VisMin is CIM or Cebu Institute of Medicine. Mag research ka????ok i think number 2 ang Saint Paul Iloilo sa Nursing at magaling ang Maritime School dyan. But karamihan sa mga Students from VisMin nasa Cebu. UC has a population of more than 50,000 while UV has more than 40,0000. CeBu is the Center of Business and Education in VisMin. That is a fact refer to WIKIPEDIA. So, i know Iloilo will definitely grow but not become the premier province by 2015. Maybe 2030 if Cebu, Davao and Cagayan de Oro slows down. Ask the economist. ha ha ha…
i dont side with anybody here. but one more non-aliwan fiesta-related comment posted, I WILL BE FORCED TO CLOSE THE COMMENTS SECTION HERE.
y the hell are you so bothered with us Ilonggos despite everything you have…?
ika nga eh, no man is on an island alone. aceept the fact that Iloilo exists, hindi pwedeng angkinin niyo ang lahat, we may not be progressive as you are, but at least we have somethings that are boosting our progress and development …
Central Philippine University - 103 yrs
Western Visayas College of Science and Technology - 102 yrs old
West Visayas State University - 106 years old
University of San Agustin - 103 yrs.
University of the Philippines in the Visayas (Miag-ao, Iloilo)- center of UPV system including Iloilo City Campus, Tacloban, and Cebu.
hindi pa yan kumpleto ha! We also have a lot of tourism potentials for development tulad ng Bucari - our little Baguio, etc…
hindi kami namamatay sa inggit sa inyong mga cebuanos, at least kami, more protected pa ang lugar namin - hindi pa masyadong inaabuso para Pag perahan at wala pa kaming mga coal fired power plants dito- u have a lot of projects na nagpapayaman ng mga politicians niyo. haha
mas kailangan nyo naman talaga yang mga “developments” nyu eh, mula pa noon, Iloilo is home to more elite and the upper class pips of the society eh.
example nayan ang mga Lopezes who owns ABS-CBN and etc.
mas maraming pulubi jan kakaawa na nga eh, yan ang mas pagtuunan nyo ng pansin. tingnan nyo naman ang lumalalang sitwasyon ng prostitution jan.
ineenjoy pa naming mga ilonggo kung ano man ang meron dito sa amin, not to mention na maganda rin naman ang mga plano ng city government at may mga investors rin na pumupunta rito at namumuhunan. yan lang ang pinopobrlema namin ang kuryente namin.
period ng awayan.
magtulungan nalang tayo para sa Pilipinas okay!?
huwag tayong impokrito, dapat nalang tayong magpasalamat sa mga biyaya. kaya nga meron tayo nitong religious festivals diba?!
hindi pa naman namin nakakalimutan ang essence ng dinagyang namin eh, kaya nga kami pinagpapala, ang pagkatalo namin sa Aliwan, wala yan! at least #2 parin kami - ang sabi ko nga sa itaas, may appointments pa kami sa ibang bansa eh, hahaha!
1 million pesos is nothing.
dapat kayong mga masyadong nadevelop na, forward looking kayo, hindi crab mentality.
ika nga eh, wag lalaki ang ulo.
malambing naman kaming mga taga-iloilo eh, no worries.
sige na mauna na kayo. we salute you pagid!
wag na tayong mag apihan dito. peace people!
bilang one of The Outstanding Student Leaders of Iloilo City, hanga kami sa inyong mga Cebuano.
We don’t care kung ano pa ang paningin niyo sa amin.
the point lang is, hindi lahat ng bagay maaangkin natin keyso tayo ang nasa itaas.
simple problem lang ito na nag-ugat sa Culture Competition, bakit kailangan na mag lead pa dito.
we ilonggos give back all the blessings we had and our second place recognition in the name of the Lord. Viva Sr. Sto. Nino!
para sa iyo Panginoon ang lahat kung ano man ang Dinagyang, our DEEVOTION, FAITH and PRAISES to YOU are the FOUNDATION of Dinagyang Festival.
A BASTA AKO, NA IINTRIGA TALAGA AKO SA JUDGEMENT NA 4 & 5 SA DINAGYANG.. TATLO NO. 1 TAPOS ISA NO. 2 THEN 4 & 5.. I THINK PARANG QUEST..?..
JASON you are the one who needs more research!!SOON YOU WILL KNOW THE POTENT POWER OF ILOILO CITY AS PRIME MOVER OF DEVT.!!GOING BACK TO THE ISSUE OF ALIWAN 2008 I THINK IT IS BETTER FOR DINAGYANG TO SKIP PARTICIPATING IN THAT EVENT!!CALLING MR. BEN JIMENA,SIR!! THIS IS JUST A SUGGESTION,IN ORDER NOT TO HURT MORE THE SENSETIVITIES OF MANY ILONGGOS.OUR WELL LOVED DINAGYANG IN HONOR OF THE CHILD JESUS DONT DESERVE TO BE TREATED IN THIS WAY!!WORST, IF THERE IS TRUTH AS TO THE ISSUE THAT THIS EVENT IS BEING USED BY MBC FOR THEIR PROMOTIONS!!THIS IS IRRECONCILABLE,A RELIGIOUS CELEBRATION IS USED FOR MATERIALISTIC PURPOSES!!HOPE YOU WILL TAKE A NOTE ON THIS HUMBLE SUGGESTION SIR BEN JIMENA..MORE POWER TO YOU!!STILL HALA BIRA!!
the 4&5 rank was really very questionable…
i was there in aliwan when i saw all the contigents performed.. undeniably, dinagyang was the clear winner… people were so sure that they will bag the crown… but it turned out it was sinulog…
im not sourgraping because dinagyang did not won… im just stating my observations last aliwan.
I would appreciate if everybody would post fair, non-deregatory statements about Aliwan only. The article is about ALiwan therefore non-ALiwan posts are out of the topic.
We are talking about Aliwan, the contigents especially Dinagyang and Sinulog. We are also talking about culture, artistry, heritage and festivals. We are not concerned of Cebu’s economy, awards, feats and achievements. If Ilonggos post that Dinagyang Festival has been awarded the Best Tourism Event in the Philippines for three years now, it is still related to the issue.
The problem with Cebuanos are they easily get sensitive when people says that Dinagyang should have won. Come on Cebuanos, you got the Grand Prize, what is ther to be sensitive of? It is normal that Ilonggos cannot accept defeat because they believe that Dinagyang was better. Nobody was hitting Sinulog when the announcement came that they won. It was only after when people clamored that Dinagyang should have won that some Cebuanos began acting immature and started hitting Dinagyang lovers with immature statements, even bragging about their city’s feat which is again irrelevant to the posts.
ALIWAN FIESTA 2003
2nd Place: Tribu Atub-Atub, Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City
ALIWAN FIESTA 2004
Grand Prize: Tribu Atub-Atub, Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City
2nd Place: Kahilwayan Festival, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
ALIWAN FIESTA 2005
Grand Prize: Pintados de Passi Festival, Passi City, Iloilo
2nd Place: Kahilwayan Festival, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
3rd Place: Tribu Silak, Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City
ALIWAN FIESTA 2006
2nd Place: Tribu Ilonganon, Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City
3rd Place: Pintados de Passi Festival, Passi City, Iloilo
5th Place: Kahilwayan Festival, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
7th Place: Tultugan Festival, Maasin, Iloilo
ALIWAN FIESTA 2007
2nd Place: Tribu Ilonganon, Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City
10th Place: Kahilwayan Festival, Sta. Barbara, Iloilo
ALIWAN FIESTA 2008
2nd Place: Tribu Paghidaet, Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City
5th Place: Saad Festival, Leganes, Iloilo
source: Byahilo.com, Iloilo.gov.ph
That’s what you call a real winning streak, ILOILO’s real winning streak. If all of Iloilo’s Festivals will join Aliwan, i bet Iloilo will dominate the winner’s list. Beat that
I am an Ilonggo. Once and for all, let us all be objective in analyzing the performances of Dinagyang and Sinulog and lets see whether they really deserve the winning positions they got.
Sinulog is a worship festival by the natives of Cebu so its just natural for their dance routines to be a bit slow and dragging. Lumad Basakanon’s performance in Aliwan 2008 has similar routines to their past performances during the years 2006 and 2007. Cebuanos in the forum defends that the repeated routines (circular formation, wave, kneeling down and bowing) are their trademark thats why they keep on repeating it. True that trademark represents a group but it should not be performed over and over again in competitions especially if they are joining the same competition yearly. Trademark routines should only be performed in exhibition dances and not in competitions. Sinulog’s dance routines are simple, easy to imitate for non-dancers and a bit passe’ since these are actually being performed long before since cheering competitions started. But the steps, simple as it may seem, looked superb by the way they executed them. Sinulog had their dancers perform all together in unison thereby giving body to the dance. Its like having one small series of dance steps being magnified into a big series of dance steps because a large number of dancers performed the said step together. In that way, the routine looked clean and the choreography was clearly and neatly performed and noticed. The choreography of another Cebuano contingent (Sinulog of Carmen) had better routines than Lumad Basakanon except for a few who were out of pace in the dancing. But again, both contigents had similar passe routines as the circular formation and the wave. Lumad too did not utilize their oversized props and were left behind the dancers while Carmen had a creative style of displaying their props.
Dinagyang on the other hand is a merry making and worship festival that happens on a certain village or tribe. Therefore, it does not only include the men but also the women and children. In an ati tribe, men are either warriors, laborers or elders while women are either household or industry workers and each job classification performs a different way of worship or merry making. Tribu Paghidaet’s performance is very typical of the occassion, dancers do the transition routines by way of entering and leaving and then reentering the performance area after every routine is done. Dinagyang’s performance had difficult and fast paced steps and the dancers were performing different routines while dancing to the same music at the same time. That in its way is the weakness the judges saw. Since there was only a few number of dancers doing the routines in unison, the dance didnt have the soild body and the choreography went unnoticed. The performance then seemd to look scattered and messy though in truth it was even perfectly organized. Tribu Paghidaet’s utilization of props was very stylish and creative.
Sinulog had very simple steps and passe’ routines but the way they executed steps made it look superb, the dance had a body because the dancers were dancing in unison almost all the time. Dinagyang had very difficult and fast paced steps with complex routines but there was no solid body in the dance because the dancers were performing different routines while dancing together.
Both festivals have their high and low points. But Aliwan Fiesta is not Sinulog or Dinagyang Festival anymore. Aliwan is a battle of festivals and not merely a battle of dance routines and choreography. The judges should somehow understood the story of each festival first (should realize that every festival has its own way of dancing) before casting their judgement to avoid mislabelling a festival routine as messy and unorganized. If the Dinagyang looked messy because of transition (dancers performing differently together) routines and with all the entry and exit, it is because that is the way the Dinagyang is, a tribe with different classes of people performing their own way of worship and merry making.
I suggest that Dinagyang should do a few revisions in their routines and include a routine where all the dancers are performing in unison to give body to the dance. That is what I think the judges are looking for since most of them are dance choreographers. For Sinulog, a dance should evolve and routines should not be repeated over and over again.
With all these bruhaha, after considering all the aspects I have written above, my own set of winners would be:
Grand Prize: Tribu Paghidaet, Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City
2nd Place: Sinulog Festival, Carmen, Cebu
3rd Place: Lumad Basakanon, Sinulog Festival, Cebu City
to redzeitgeist:
1) i never insisted that Dinagyang should’ve won because of its popularity among the audience
2) indeed true, as you have said “having 6 judges weigh the performance will always subject the judging with partiality based from their respective taste and preferences”…. and it is quite evident that the taste of the majority of the six judges eversince was a dance-like performance and not really a typical cultural presentation, contingents have to adjust a bit to these taste to get the nod.
3) performance art can be qualified objectively if one knows the roots of the said performance art. ballet has universal steps but is individualized according to its country of origin. the way one dances and sings and even the type of movies he watch is greatly influenced by its country of origin. Thats why to judge a performance art, it is important to know its country of origin and to what culture it was based from.
to robertson:
Was I not civil enough my friend? isnt it that I was very objective with my comments and assessments? I never hit nor lambasted Sinulog, what I did was assess every contingent’s performance. There was nothing wrong with the way Sinulog and Dinagyang performed, for no one can question their interpretation because they themselves know their festival better than anyone.
I would like to stress my point again, Aliwan is a battle of festivals being staged in another venue and not merely a battle of dance routines. Therefore it is but required that performances from the different festivals should be able to tell other people how their festival goes and not merely presenting a dance routine that is already modernized.
I would like to keep on reminding the organizers and the judges to at least read a primer about the competiting festival, understand it and find out during the performance night whether the contigents were able to represent their festivals properly through their performance or were they just plain dancing and performing a routine that is not even representative of the festival.
What I want to see in next year’s Aliwan? A performance that is very informative and representative of every festival, an entirely different routine from Sinulog contingents. The judges should also assess a contingent’s performance in entirity whether they are truly representative of their festival or not. Dance routines and choreography are merely icing on the cake.
I know Im a bit biased because I wanted Dinagyang to win because I believe they have represented the festival brilliantly with their theatrical way of presentation. Admit it guys, Lumad’s performance was more of dance routines and not an artistic way of representing Sinulog. Or maybe because I myself doesnt know anything about Sinulog on the other hand thats why I thought Dinagyang gave a better representation.
Nevertheless, the organizers should set a very clear, precise and detailed criteria of judging next year. The judges should know the competing festivals more before judging who among them is the best. That way, the Aliwan experience will not only be fun and entertaining but also very informative in knowing the culture of every festival. For I know, Aliwan is staged to showcase to the country and the world the diverse cultural differences in the Philippines.
I am happy that these comment pages are existing, in this way flaws from the past be it coming from the organizers, judges and competitors will be corrected. I despise people (both Cebuanos and Ilonggos and others) in this forum and in YouTube who gives unfair and deregatory comments without even thinking about them. Commenting and criticising should always be done objectively.
I pray that the organizers will have a chance to read our comments, improve the Aliwan next year so that everybody will be happy and contented not only with the results but also with the ALiwan as a whole. Peace out.
ATTENTION CEBUANOS AND FELLOW ILONGGOS:
making comments to the performance of both the Dinagyang and Sinulog contingents doesnt imply anything negative as long as the comments are fair and non-deregatory. I admire those who post constructive criticisms and objective comments and despise those who are idiotic in their messages.
Go defend your festival, just dont underestimate the other and brag about yours.
PAG MAY BASTOS WAG NA LANG PATULAN. LET US NOT SPARK A FIGHT BETWEEN CEBU AND ILOILO.
to Naaliw:
It is very hard to accept defeat in Aliwan especially if Dinagyang has been critically acclaimed by artists here and abroad for its intricate cultural background fused with modern routines, theatrical approach in reenaction and dance and an upbeat music through drums, percussion and indigenous materials.
If Ilonggos cannot accept defeat in Aliwan, it is our problem anymore and Cebuanos should not take it against themselves. If Cebuanos feel insulted by our actions, then we cannot do something about it. Just be proud Cebuanos that you won the Aliwan, for if you cant, then it will only justify our claim. I myself do not hit Cebuanos for their victory although my personal choice is Dinagyang. If there are some lowlifes (Cebuanos, Ilonggos or others) hitting ur festival, i suggest that you do not stoop down to their level and do the same. There is nothing wrong with not accepting defeat among others for as long as it is coursed through a sane and logical manner.
In the first place, as for me, Lumad from Cebu just performed in the Aliwan and has got nothing to do with their victory (except with their performance of course). Therefore, blaming the Cebuanos for their victory is and was not in the Ilonggos’ ala carte menu and should not be tolerated. If Ilonggos then say that Dinagyang was better than Sinulog in the Aliwan, pls. do not take offense in it as it is just our view as Ilonggos and perhaps you would be feeling the same with your Sinulog.
I personally do not hit Cebu or Sinulog in Aliwan’s case. I also do not blame the judges initially for making Sinulog win though they are partly involved. The bigger part of the cake belonged to the organizers for they did not perfectly and precisely qualified and/or quantified their set of criterias for judging. The judges in turn, good as they maybe, should have reevaluated the supposed to be “flawed” criteria and has somehow realized that Aliwan is a battle of festivals and not merely of dance routines. Therefore the catch is to assess a contigent’s performance as a whole, in its entirity, and not just by looking at the way they danced and shouted. For we all have to remember that Aliwan’s goal is “to showcase the culture of the nation’s provinces through festivals to the world”. Therefore, it is but imperative that Aliwan’s criteria should not be based on the sole criteria of choreography (30%), performance (30%), timing & rhythm (30%) and costumes (10%).
Instead, choreography, performance, timing and rhythm should all go together and get 30%, cultural adeptness and festival interpretation should get 40%, overall impact of the performance (whether its choreography and performance jives with its cultural aspect and interpretation) should get 20% and costumes with 10%.
As i would reiterate, to Naaliw’s comment, this does not mean that the judges are undereducated. Yes, Aliwan has lost its credibility because the organizers has repeatedly failed to identify the flaws and misgivings of the activity considering that this year was the sixth year Aliwan was staged.
Yes, it is true that Sinulog of Cebu won and Iloilo’s Dinagyang was only second best for three years. But would it be better if a winner won fair and square in a competition with a criteria that is strict and of the highest standards adhering to the international paradigm of cultural and artistic taste? Is it only the Ilonggos clamoring around or are there others? We dont know. I for once will not feel happy with my victory if I know that people around me are not satisfied with my performance. Yes it is victory for me, but the question is, “Is it sweet victory?”
To Naaliw and other Cebuanos, think again. We should not pick fights and post deregatory statements to each other. Instead, we should all work together, hand in hand Cebuanos and Ilonggos alike, to bang on the organizers and tell them that their criteria needs revision. Manila Broadcasting Company is not a cultural nor artistic company, it deals with broadcast. So it is quite acceptable yet irritating that they are not culturally and artisticaly qualified to set a criteria. Therefore, adhering to Aliwan’s goals of showcasing our festivals to the world, a criteria fit to the goal should be envisioned and realised. For in the end, what is the essence of winning if we only enjoy it only to ourselves and not with others? What use is Aliwan’s goals if the criteria chooses a set of winners thats has no clear representation of its province’s culture.
As simple line to ponder on: “To err is human, but to commit it more than once is inhuman.
lols how come nagiging poeple’s champ yong dinagyang e na tko nga sila ng sinulog e…….. baka ilonggo’s champ lang yong dinagyang……. LOOOSSSEEERRRSSSSSS……..
THIS IS JUST A HUMBLE SUGGESTION!!calling the attention of sir ben jimena of dinagyang!with due respect sir,please stop sending anymore any dinagyang participants to the aliwan festival.with all these kind of deceit,blatant display of arrogance,manipulation and capricious decision favoring the winner for 3 years in a row, let us put an end to this!!it is no longer healthy for dinagyang to compete in this manner.our famous festival who is already world class in her status do not deserve to be treated this way..this is now an issue on the sensebilities of the ilonggo people, so no amount of promotion and cash prize could surmount on this!!thanks!!
Bisan ako Ilonggo mas nami man gid performance sang Sinulog compare to Dinagyang. Graceful gid tulokon mga dancers nila. Bisan guro pasaoton sila na waay naka costume makit-an gid ang consistency & uniformity of body movements sang Lumad Basakanon. Congrats to the winners ah!
We asking the iloilo city council to make a resolution/ordinance to stop sending Dinagyang to Aliwan, kay kon IDFI lang waay gid na sila pulos.
Accdg. to Mr. Jimena maentra sila gihapon sa Aliwan 2009.
to glenn mclife,
do you really know what tikalon means? tsk tsk tsk…
and you say that you won because of your choreography…
tsk tsk tsk
and by the way, this site is to express your disappointment or surprise. not to demean others…