We Filipinos are known around the world for our love of Fiestas, these are celebrated throughout the year for some purposes: to honor patron saint, preserve environment, showcase local produce, boost tradition and culture or maybe even pray to find true love and to start a family.
Aliwan Fiesta offers every Filipino fiesta lovers and even Foreign tourists to witness and watch several Festivals across the country for one day and in one place and that's in the center of the country, Manila. Coming from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, the champions of every Festival held in different part of the Philippines gather in Manila to compete in the Aliwan Fiesta to showcase their culture and tradition. Aside from the One million peso cash prize, the main goal of every hopeful contingents is to bring pride and honor to their hometown and kababayan.
Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City
I've never been in Cebu to see Sinulog, never been in Iloilo to watch Dinagyang and never had a chance to see Bagiou's Panagbenga Festival. Through Aliwan Fiesta, I had the chance to witness not just one but a lot of popular festivals in the country such as Hermosa Festival, Ang Tipulo Festival, Padang Padang Festival and a lot more.
Mahaguyog Festival of Batangas
There are 20 contingents all across the nation vying for pride and honor and also for the million peso cash prize. All the contingents were in their colorful costumes. Graceful street dancers showcased their culture and tradition with their props and dance moves in front of many audiences at the Quirino Grandstand. Aliwan also proved how creative the Filipinos are through the well decorated Festival floats. And also displayed Filipina beauty with the Reyna ng Aliwan candidates.
Leyte's Pasaka Festival Float with their candidate for Reyna ng Aliwan
Here are some highlights of this years Aliwan Fiesta Contingents
Ang Tipulo Festival of Antipolo City
Ang Tipulo Festival is a celebration in honor of Our Lady of Peace and Good Voyage also called The Virgin of Antipolo. This event also showcase the product of Antipolenos such as Kasoy(cashew), Suman(sweetened steamed rice) and Mangga(mangoes). Participants danced with the tune of the famous Folk Song "Tayo na sa Antipolo".
Mango Festival of Zambales
Mango Festival celebrates the bountiful harvest of mango and other agricultural products which was the province is known for. It also highlights the must-see tourist attraction and interesting places of all the town of Zambales.
Adivay Festival of Benguet
Adivay Festival , "Adivay" is an Ibaloi term which means coming together. It aims to forge unity and cooperation among the tribes of Benguet. It is also the best time to promote Benguet's product such as vegetables, gold and silver.
Pandang Gitab Festival of Oriental Mindoro
Pandang Gitab is based on the Philippine Folk dance Pandango sa Ilaw which was told to have originated in Mindoro Island.
Pasaka Festival of Leyte
Pasaka Festival commemorates the landing of General Douglas MacArthur in the country. This also aims to showcase the culture and tradition of Tanauan, Leyte.
Hermosa Festival of Zambaonga
The Hermosa festival is one of the oldest Festival in the country. This is being held in honor of the Our Lady of Pillar the patroness of Zambaonga City.
Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo
Dinagyang Festival was the most applauded performance in this year's Aliwan, making them the Grand Champion of Aliwan Fiesta 2013 for four consecutive years. This is a religious and cultural festival which is being done in honor of Sto. Nino. Dinagyang Festival was represented by the Tribu Panayanon.
As a first time viewer of the Aliwan Fiesta, for me that was great. I realized how rich our country in terms of culture and tradition. How thankful we Filipinos of God's blessings. Filipinos are also welcoming, full of smiles in their faces just like how the participants showed their smile on their faces whenever people ask to take a photo with them.
If ever given the opportunity, I would like to set eyes again on the colorful celebration of Aliwan Fiesta next year. I am hoping also that my province Pampanga will be joining Aliwan next year.
