Fiesta at Aliwan Festival 2016

Aliwan Festival is an event almost all photographer has been waiting for. Aliwan Festival is an annual event sponsored by the Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) wherein representatives from different provinces dance their way from Quirino Grandstand to the streets of Roxas Boulevard to the Aliw Theater ground at CCP Complex. I just hope that this kind of event have more exposure in the media.

Aliwan Festival promotes the diversity and rich culture of our country. With the Aliwan Festival, one does not need to travel around the different provinces just to witness how the fiesta is being celebrated.

But it's not just an ordinary dance! Delegates showcase their cultural festivals to win on the Streetdance competition, Float Design and each has a representative for the title of Reyna ng Aliwan.

For this year Aliwan Festival, are Tribu Katbalaugan for the Manaragat Festival of Samar, the Niyugyugan Festival of Quezon, Laguna’s Anilag Festival, Baguio City’s Panagbenga, Maguindanao’s Meguyaya and Sagayan Festivals, Boling-Boling of Catanauan, and Iloilo Dinagyang’s Tribu Salognon and Tribu Panayanon.

The Champion for this year Streetdance competition is the Manaragat festival of Catbalogan City. The Float Design winner is the Sto. Nino Fluvial Procession wherein they have a kid sat inside the float which was like the Sto. Nino. Stephanie Joy Abellanida representing the Midsayap Halad Festival of North Cotobato was crowned as Reyna ng Aliwan 2016.

Aside from this, Aliwan Festival has an Annual Photography contest which is open to all amateur and professional photographers. Actually, there are a lot of photographers than the usual audience. Photographers run through the parade, climb the center island, and get up-close to the participants and are just literally everywhere. Participants are very nice and are very willing to show their bright smile in the camera even though they are already tired from the intense heat and from dancing.

More photos of the 2016 Aliwan Festival will be posted on my photo blog.