Aliwan Fiesta 2010 Day 1

Yesterday was the first day of the annual Aliwan Fiesta 2010. Just like before, the opening day’s program is PASAKALYE, an inter-school dance contest participated by the various schools from all over Metro Manila.

Around 3PM, I went to the Aliw Theater with fellow bloggers Bernie, Don, Fitz, and Marc. A fellow member from the SkyscraperCity Manila, Merl also joined us.

We all went to Aliw Theater to originally watch the blocking rehearsals of Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival. Watching blocking rehearsals give us a glimpse of what to expect in this coming Saturday’s Aliwan 2010 Grand Streetdance Parade. This also give us an idea of which groups should we watch out for.

We were all excited to watch the Dinagyang rehearsals. When we arrived at the area, Pasig City’s Pakalog festival is doing their practice. So we watched. After the Pasig contingent left, no signs of Dinagyang dancers can be found on the area. Bernie treid to contact, it appears that the arrival of the contingent was delayed and arrived only in Manila at 2PM. They were originally scheduled to arrive yesterday morning. And to make things worse, there was only one bus allocated for the Dinagyang group which is composed of around 280 dancers, instrumentalists, propsmen, and support staff.

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We all left the area at around 6PM without seeing the shadows of the dinagyang dancers. I guess they can’t also rehearse at night since there was a Pasakalye dance contest. I just do not know how will they be able to get a blocking rehearsal schedule since each group has already been assigned with a schedule slot.

Early morning today, I will be off to Aliw Theater to shoot some of the contingents in their full costumes as they will appear in early morning TV Show Unang Hirit, aired live at GMA. After the Unang Hirit, Marc and I will be watching some more rehearsals especially of Kasag Festival from Banate Iloilo, and the Paraw Regatta Festival of iloilo City.

Tonight is going to be the Pageant Night of the Aliwan Festival Queen. I am not sure though if I will still cover the event. Baka hindi na kaya ng powers ko…

To all Aliwan fiesta participants, good luck and do your best! Make your city proud. It is not important whether you win or lose in this contest. What is important is how well you represented your city.