Aliwan Fiesta 2018 Streetdance Competition Winners

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Here are the winners for the street dance competition! 🎉

MAIN AWARDS
✔️

Aliwan 2018 Street Dance Champion

#16 Kasadyaan Festival

2nd Place Winner
#7 Manggahan Festival

3rd Place Winner
#12 Iloilo Dinagyang Festival

✔️4th Place Winner
#10 Meguyaya Festival

5th Place Winner
#1 Binirayan Festival


✔️

✔️
✔️5 Runners-up
#17 Pandang Gitab Festival
#11 Bato Art Festival
#3 Pandan Festival
#8 Panagbenga Festival
#14 Abrenian Kawayan Festival

SPECIAL AWARDS

✔️Best Music
#16 Kasadyaan Festival

✔️Best Costume
#7 Manggahan Festival

✔️Pride of Place Award
#14 Abrenian Kawayan Festival

The province of Antique, known for its tagline “where the mountains meet the sea,” mirrors the rare resources  and diverse ways of living in the countryside.  First-time participants in Aliwan, the town of Caluya traces the story of one man who sources out his living in the middle of the night, exploring the dense waters  so he can bring home palatable viands for his family.  Amid lush green coconut trees, we are introduced to the Antiqueños’ delicacy – the tatus or coconut crabs, along with other flora and fauna,.  They also highlight the famous hand-woven patadyong, with its multi-colored hues, the crystal clear waterfalls and mystical rivers that speak of intertwined beliefs and traditions.  In the quaint greeting “kruhay” welcoming visitors to Antique, we  are embraced buy a warm and generous people.  Represented by Tribu Tatusan – here is Antique’s Binirayan festival! 

In 1991, a group of native aborigines called Aetas feld the mountains of Iba after the devastation brought about by ther volcanic eruption of  Mt. Pinatubo.  They lost their homes and livelihood.  Their faces reflected their sorrow asnd hopelessness.  As they travlled, their leader “Mang:” and his wife “Ga” saw some seeds scattered along the path.  Awed by what they found, they called their tribesmen, to gather the seeds.  When they reached the town of Iba, they were given land to till and live inb.  They planted the seeds they gathered, which, after several years, grew and produced much fruit that were smooth, big, and very sweet.  They called this “Mangga” after their chieftain and his wife.  Their children were named “Dina” and “Mulag” – children who were much bigger than normal aetas.  From then on, they called the fruit Dinamulag.  The mango variant became known all over and eventually provided economic prosperity to the town.  Every year, they give thanks for the abundant harvest and to their patron St. Augustine.  From Iba, Zambales – the Dinamulag Mango Festival!

The need to revitalize  the municipality of Mapandan in Pangasinan brought forth the town’s Pandan festival.  A brainchild of their former Mayor Jose Ferdinand Calimlim Jr, who is now Vice Governor of the province, it has inspired the townsfolk to discover and develop artistic talent while promoting the pandan industry, thereby creating more jobs and generating greater income by enticing investors.  The different barangays take part,  strengthening their unified effort to assert their identity and independence as a community.   The champion goes on to take part in other provincial competitions as well as in festivals throughout region 1.  Represented by Tribu Pandan,  let us witness the Pandan festival !  

Every month of April, the municipality of Balud in Masbate celebrates its agro-industrial fair featuring the Pangumagat festival.   The term is derived from the words “panguma” meaning “farming,” and “panagat” which means “fishing.”  Since the place is surrounded by water, most of its townsfolk are fishermen.  Adventurous, strong, and self-reliant, they are proud of the richness of the ocean, and their excitement after a good catch brings out their sense of humor and cheerful disposition.  Farmers, in turn, feel a lot of joy with the scent of abundant farmland.  Tourists are also drawn to the spectacular glassy surface of the water and the shimmering white sand of its beaches, complimented by the gentle breeze aglow with fireflies at dusk.  Their thanksgiving feast honors the Almighty for His unceasing guidance and bountiful blessings.  Here is the Pangumagat Tribe presenting the Pangumagat festival!  

The Dumagat are one of the ethno-linguistic groups in the Philippines, sharing the same roots as Aetas, Mangyan, and Negritos.  Studying the Dumagat allows us to trace our anthropological history as they were among the first groups of people who crossed land bridges in Asia.  The term “dumagat” comes from the term “rumakat” or “lumakad,” meaning “to walk, ” indicating that they arrived by land and not by sea.  They are now divided into two  -- the remontados or fair-skinned Negrito mestizos, and the pure Agta who live in the mountains of the Sierra Madre and in populous towns of Rizal and Quezon provinces.  There is a big Dumagat population in the town of Montalban, also known as Rodriguez, Rizal -- whose culture is based on hunting, farming, and fishing.  Dumagat people are very loving, have a strong sense of community, and care a lot for mother nature, on whom they depend for their survival.   Ladies and gentlemen – the Rodriguez Dumagat festival ! 

The term Dulansangan is a contraction of the phrase “dula sa lansangan,” referring to the street theater performances which are part of the annual Fiesta Republica, celebrated by the city of Malolos on January 23.   Dulansangan begins with a parade about the Malolos Congress.  The different participants come from various towns in Bulacan and other places throughout the country that figured prominently in our struggle for independence.  The groups portray various events that happened in their respective areas,  within the realm of  history.    Dulansangan aims to remind audiences of our nationhood,  and the important role that Malolos played in the establishment of the First Philippine Republic.   Please welcome Fiesta Republica!

Guimaras is an island province southeast of Panay, and northwest of Negros in Western Visayas.   It is blessed with white sand beaches, vast agricultural land, a panoramic view of the hills, picturesque coves, and offshore islets.  It consists of five municipalities – Jordan, Buenavista, Nueva Valencia, Sibunga, and San Lorenzo.  It is known for its Manggahan festival, a yearly celebration anchored on the bountiful mangoes dubbed as the sweetest in the world.  The festival’s  representatives  portray dances featuring several steps involved in rice farming and mango production.  It also depicts the development of the province into a must-see destination.  With its tagline being “the province that fits your taste,” Guimaras takes pride in presenting Hubon Mangunguma for the Manggahan festival! 

Panagbenga is a month-long flower festival celebrated in Baguio every year, in thanksgiving to the Almighty Kabunyian for a bountiful harvest.  The term is of Kankanaey origin, meaning "time to bloom".    Held in February,  the festival is highlighted by a parade of floats that are covered mostly with flowers, and a streetdancing competition anchored on an Ibaloi dance of celebration.  Aside from boosting the economy through tourism, the festival is offered to the people with the ultimate goal of imparting the culture and heritage of the Cordilleras.  Depicted by this year’s champion St Louis University – the Panagbenga festival!

One of the most popular tourism events in Bacoor, Cavite is the Bakood festival – an annual celebration in honor of the town’s patron saint St Michael the Archangel.  Spiced with a generous dose of service-oriented and fun-filled events,  it instills a sense of pride among townsfolk.  The highlight is the grandest marching band parade in the country, featuring 55 ensembles, which gave Bacoor the reputation as the Marching Band Capital of the Philippines.    The name Bacood, derived from “bakod” - the Tagalong word for fence - alludes to its role as a former suburb of Paranaque, and constituting the boundary between Kawit and Silang.  Bacood used to be covered with thick groves of bamboo from what is now Zapote, Las Piñas to sitio Talaba.  A visit to the town is a real treat, with superb gastronomic delights such as fresh oysters, 101 ways of cooking mussels called tahong, and the famous Digman halo-halo.   Here is Teatro Baile de Bacoor presenting the Bakood festival!  

Meguyaya is a teduray term for thanksgiving for the bountiful harvest, which the people of Upi, Maguindanao celebrate annually.   Their god Tulos, the great spirit who created all things, abundantly blessed their land with verdant mountains, fertile soil, and a cooler climate.  The town produces acres and acres of corn, as far as the eyes can see – from the plains to the mountainsides.  However, one day, worms attacked their cornfields, and stalk borers left them devastated.  Using traditional clappers and native rituals, they tried eradicating the pests but failed.  With the help of Christian settlers and modern farming methods, they learned to use organic pesticides, bringing back the bountiful harvests.  From Bagabungan National High School, please welcome the Meguyaya festival!  

The local government of Luna, Isabela brings us an old Ilocano tradition revitalizing an appeasement ritual called “Atang”.  Even among the sophisticates, there persists a belief in the existence of dwarves called  “kaibaan” or “ansisit,” – tiny, unseen spirits that proliferate among trees, rocks, and abandoned places, who, when befriended,  exercise mythical powers like cooking endless supplies of rice for humans.  When harmed, even innocuously, through a careless act when passing through their domain, they cause rashes or irksome maladies.  When this happens,  a  healer called “mang-aatang” is asked to cure the illness through a ritual offering  using grated coconut, husks, shells, or even poultry and cigarettes.  Garbed in the famous abel iloko while celebrating life and bounty, here is Tribu Antatet  depicting “Atang” for the Bato Art festival!

Inspired by the richness of the culture and heritage of Panay, this group zealously conceptualized the barter of Panay with grandeur and fervor, reenacting history in a confluent pageantry of color, music, and dance.  The early inhabitants called the Ati indulged in hunting, fishing, and foraging edible plants from the wild.  Living in close-knit communities, they were ruled by the chieftain Datu Marikudo and his wife Manluantiuan.  Interaction with other ethnic groups changed their way of living, especially when introduced to the concept of trade.  The arrival of the 10 Bornean datus led by Datu Puti  first terrified the inhabitants of Panay, but initially agreed to barter their land for a golden salakot.  Manluantiuan also asked for the golden necklace of Datu Puti’s wife, in exchange for a cavan of crabs, a wild boar, and fully grown deer.  With the arrival of the Spaniards and the introduction to the devotion to the Holy Infant Jesus, the Atis’ expression of thanksgiving took on an added dimension.  From Iloilo City National High School, here is Tribu Panayanon for the Iloilo Dinagyang festival!

From the  words, “niyog”and”yugyog,” the Niyogyugan Festival  combines all the colourful fiestas of the different towns in Quezon Province.  Celebrating the “Tree of Life,” Niyogyugan pays tribute to the coconut industry’s glorious past, which bore fruit in the form of lambanog distilleries, oil millers, heritage houses, and the vast resort-plantations. The provincial government created the festival  to move, shake and bring back the vigor and dynamism of the industry and to promote the products, places, talent and creativity of Quezonians.  Crowd-drawing activities such as the  Sayaw ng Niyog, Karosa ng Niyog, the Bb. Niyogyugan, and the booth competition add excitement to the week-long provincial fiesta.  With the performance of the Hambujan Dancers of Dolores, Quezon… please welcome the Niyogyugan festival!   

The Abrenian Kawayan festival is celebrated by the province of Abra in March to commemorate its founding anniversary.  Focussing on Abra’s most abundant product – the bamboo – it showcases Ilocano and Itneg, or Tingguian, cultures and traditions.  Over the years, the Tingguian have stayed in the mountains to preserve their culture.  But they have literally crossed mountains and rivers to persevere in getting an education until they become professionals, and subsequently return to their communities to help their tribe.  Challenged by socio-economic and technological advancements, they remain grateful for their roots.  Here is Tribu  Dangdang-ay proclaiming  “Raniag!  Ragsak!  Abiag!  Asenso Abreño” through the Abrenian-Kawayan festival!

The progressive town of Atimonan lies on the western shore of the province of Quezon, bound by flourishing gifts of nature and the abundance of Lamon Bay.   The creation of the Tagultol Fishing Festival 15 years ago brought new vigor to Atimonan’s cultural awareness, as well as an expression of gratitude to the Almighty and the town’s patroness Nuestra Señora de los Angeles for the bountiful catch received by fisherfolk.  The festival shows the old fishing method of “ugtol,” a Tagalog word meaning “bounce”.  Tagultol fishing consists of a rectangular stone tied to a piece of abaca string dipped in honey to make it more resilient in salt water.   The original music was composed by Francisco Laude, founder of Lupong Tagapangasiwa ng Kultura at Sining  sa Atimonan.  Please welcome the Atimonan Community Dancers’ portrayal of the Tagultol Fishing festival!

In the central part of the island of Leyte is a tribe covering 77 communities that live in a land of lush forests and mountain ranges.  Their first datu was named Duygon, and he was the son of a Moro businessman from Mindanao named Dawog, who married a lovely lady named Isak.  Upon the baptism of Reyna Juana and Rajah Humabon of Cebu, Christianity spread throughout the Visayas.  Jesuit missionaries came to Leyte, converting Dawog and Isak.  Duygon was baptized and gifted with an image of the Sto Niño.  He became enamored of a gracious lady named Pitik Mingaw, but jealous men caused his early death.  Pitik Mingaw was heartbroken and wandered through the forest, until she became weak and near death herself, praying to the Holy Child for help.  Suddenly, a huge eagle flew over her, warbling “Buraburon, buraburon,” and leading her to a giant spring, which they call “burabod.”  Hence, the town of Burauen is known as the spring capital of Leyte.  Chanting Viva Senor Santo Nino, here is Tribu Buraburon for Leyte’s Kasadyaan festival!  

Pandanggitab comes from the fusion of the words Pandanggo – or Dance – and Dagitab – which means “spark, or the light of electricity.”  They represent the lanterns that Mindoro women use to send their menfolk off when they go fishing.  Their bobbing lights call out to the fishermen when they are out in the dark ocean as symbols of hope and good luck.  As a dance form, the pandanggo sa ilaw utilises oil lamps held by the dancers in glasses balanced on their heads and on the back of each hand.  From Calapan, Oriental Mindoro comes the Pandang Gitab festival!