Aliwan Fiesta 2011 a huge success!

The Aliwan Fiesta 2011 is officially over. The winners have already been anounced. This year’s Aliwan Fiesta is a huge success! This year, 18 festivals joined to compete the streetdancing competition while 17 floats joined the parade.

One of the things that should never go unnoticed is that the organizers started the event at the Quirino Grandstand on time. The program commenced promptly at 4PM.

Another good thing in this year’s Alian is that the venue has now been returned to the original Quirino Grandstand to Aliw Theater route. This is much better than the route last year which was from the Mall of Asia to Aliw theater.

There were more cheering crowd and photographers too this year! Ang daming tao sa Roxas Boulevard! everyone’s having fun time taking photos and enjoying the performances.

Last Saturday, I went to the Aliw theater at 12noon, and I was surprised to see the bleachers were already occupied by some waiting fans! From Aliw, I met Don at the CCP then we head straight to Quirino Grandstand. Upon arrival, we sped off towards the assembly area to take photos of the dancers while they were still waiting for the program to start.

I got the watch the performances of 8 groups in Quirino Grandstand, and after Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo finished their routine, I also moved out of the area and joined the rest of the Iloilo team as they walk towards the Aliw Theater.

And when I arrived at the Aliw Theater, the atmosphere is just so crazy! ang daming tao! Picture dito picture doon! I jokingly told my friend, the crowd at the Quirino Grandstand who has camera are serious prohotgraphers, those at the streets and near the Aliw theater are just Facebook fanatics! Heheh

And dami talagang tao. I’m pretty sure masaya ang mga vendors kagabi!

Anyways, I also had the chance to watch the performances of group #4 to 10 at the Aliw Theater. I love the performance of Lembuhong Festival from Surallah South Cotabato! It was truly breathtaking, and they portrayed their their dances what a real Mindnao culture is all bout. the music is authentic, the choreography is very Mindanao, and is not just a copycat from other festivals.

I was really expecting Surallah to win the first runner up title, second only to my bet Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City. but my prediction was wrong. Dinagyang won the title, as I had expected, but the Pantat Festival won the First runner up trophy, while Surallah won the 2nd runner up title. I am happy with the results. Several first timers landed in the Top 10!

All in all, it was a successful Aliwan Fiesta 2011. I am now looking forward to the staging ot the Aliwan Fiesta 2012, the TENTH Edition of the Aliwan Fiesta! Many thanks to MBC especially to Susan Arcega for the event ID.