Aliwan Fiesta 2014: The Mother of All Fiestas

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The word "aliwan" is a Tagalog word that means "entertainment" or "amusement." The Aliwan Fiesta is a celebration of life, culture, unity and festivities. Each province showcased their cultural diversity as they compete in dance parade, float competitions, as well as in a beauty pageant. True enough every year, everyone continues to be amazed of the sights and sounds of this spectacular and colorful event. Let us all show to the world the richness of the different Filipino cultures and heritage and be proud of it! The annual event is organized by the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) together with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the cities of Manila and Pasay in cooperation with the Department of Tourism (DOT).

The Cebu Sinulog Festival represented by Lumad Basakanon of Cebu City won as the best among the contingents who joined the Aliwan Fiesta 2014. They won as Best in Costume, Best in Music and as the Streetdance Grand Champion. The First Runner Up went to the Meguyaya Festival, Upi Maguindanao. The 2nd Runner Up went to Tnalak Festival represented by Municipality of Santo Niño South Cotabato. Laoag City's Pamulinawen Festival brought home the 3rd place. 

The Pride of Place Best in Folkloric Choreography winner was Adivay Festival of Kabayan Benguet. The Reyna ng Aliwan Fiesta 2014 was won by Steffi Rose Pearson Aberasturri representing Cebu Sinulog Festival.

Our host was a DJ from a radio station

But before the culminating awards at the Aliw Theater at the CCP Complex of Manila, the opening ceremonies pf April 26, 2014 started at the Quirino Grandstand. Mr. Jun Nicdao, President of MBC and lead organizer of the Aliwan Festival opened the ceremonies with a speech. The Keynote speaker was Ms. Liz Villasenor, Tourism Director of the Manila Tourism Office.

The panel of judges of the competition were composed of the following experts in their respective fields: Ricardo Bruce, Eric Zerrudo, Raul Isidro, Rachy Chua, Marciano Viri, Ferdinand Jose, Josefina Guillen, Nestor Jardin, Douglas Nierras, Larry Gabao, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.

A ceremonial banging of the gong signaled the official start of the street dance and float competitions and the parade through Roxas Boulevard leading to the Aliw theater at the CCP Complex.

M.r Jun Nicdao, President of MBC

Ms. Liz Villasenor, Tourism Director of the Manila Tourism Office

A very good rendition of our National Anthem

Grateful to be sitting alongside the VIPs

Thank you for the VIP pass

Liz Villasenor and Jun Nicdao hitting the ceremonial gong

Here are just some of the many attractions at the Aliwan Fiesta 2014 taken from the Quirino Grandstand stage.

I joined the parade starting from the Quirino Grandstand all the way to the Aliw Theater where several stalls were also setup selling all kinds of items from the many participating provinces and other vendors and sponsors of the event. It was a long walk, or should I say "Alay Lakas", so I was grateful I brought along plenty of water to quench my thirst.

Below is the complete list of winners for this year’s Aliwan Fiesta 2014:

REYNA NG ALIWAN PAGEANT

Reyna ng Aliwan Fiesta 2014 - Steffi Rose Pearson Aberasturri – Sinulog Festival Cebu City
Best in Long Gown - Steffi Rose Pearson Aberasturri, Cebu Sinulog Festival
Best in Swim Wear - Steffi Rose Pearson Aberasturri, Cebu Sinulog Festival
Best in Festival Costume - Steffi Rose Pearson Aberasturri, Cebu Sinulog Festival
First Runner Up - Shaira Lenn Roberto – Singkaban Festival, Province of Bulacan

Runners Up:
Maria Gigante – Palawod Festival, Bantayan Island Cebu
Hazel Mae Trasmonte – Sinulog de Kabankalan, Kabankalan City Negros Occidental
Michelle Marie Monte – Dinagyang Festival, Iloilo City

FLOAT
Best Float - Bambanti Festival - Province of Isabela
1st Runner Up: Utanon Festival, Dalaguete Cebu
2nd Runner Up: Indayog ti Sabsabong, Baguio City

Runners Up
Pandag Float, Mother Kabuntalan Maguindanao
Tuna Festival, General Santos City
Caragan Festival, Mabalacat Pampanga
Dayang Dayang Festival, Pasay City
Singkaban Festival, Province of Bulacan
Makudindang a Landin, Mangudadatu Maguindanao
Siniratan Float, Sultan Kudarat, Maguindanao


STREETDANCE
Best in Costume: Sinulog Festival, Cebu City
Best in Music: Sinulog Festival, Cebu City
Pride of Place: Best in Folkloric Choreography: Adivay Festival Kabayan Benguet

1st: Lumad Basakanon, Cebu Sinulog
2nd: Meguyaya Festival, Upi Maguindanao
3rd: T’nalak Festival, Santo Nino South Cotabato
4th: Pamulinawen Festival, Laoag City Ilocos Norte
5th: Caragan Festival, Mabalacat Pampanga

Runners Up:
Kalilangan Festival, General Santos City
Bato Arts Festival, Luna Isabela
Pandang Gitab Festival, Mindoro Oriental
Adivay Fstival, Kabayan Benguet
Kalivungan Festival, Matalam North Cotabato

See you again soon on 2015 for another Aliwan Fiesta - the Mother of all Fiestas!!!

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