Since radio networks have also expanded their operations to embrace live entertainment and special events, the Manila Broadcasting Company Inc. (MBC) decided to go beyond the usual concerts, movie premieres, and mall tours by tapping the inherent form of grassroots entertainment – “the fiesta”, thus the birth of Aliwan Fiesta.
It started off as a special event offered to the public for Christmas, but then evolved into a sizzling summer spectacular that brings out the multi-faceted creativity of the ebullient, fun-loving Pinoy in his many incarnations. Participants flew in from different parts of the country to be part of this big and grand Philippine festival all eyeing the grand price of one million pesos.
Colorful costumes, traditional dances and exotic beat of percussion instruments fill the air as the streetdancers perform along Roxas Boulevard between CCP Complex and the Quirino Grandstand last April 25, 2009. Accompanied by gigantic floats, the participants shine thru with their widest smiles, displaying the best of the region with energy and pride, that neither the heat the of the sun nor the pouring rain can stop these high school students from having the time of their lives.
Aliwan Fiesta harnesses the power of Philippine festivals to showcase how religion, culture, and tradition are woven into the fiber of our existence. Traditional fiestas, which are held annually to commemorate the foundation of a town or province, or honoring its patron saint, are brought together en masse to highlight the Pinoy’s indomitable and ebullient spirit, together with his mien for creativity and innovation. With most major fiestas rooted in the pre-colonial period, there is understandably a festival sector that celebrates Nature’s bounty.
Our Filipino forebears worshipped pagan gods who, to them, were responsible for bountiful harvests on land and sea. The agricultural basins in the lowlands of Luzon as well as the highlands of the Cordilleras are rife with stories handed down through generations about Nature’s mystical denizens who are then honored in quaint shamanic rituals and festivities by the townsfolk.
The coming of the Spaniards, led by soldiers who brought forth the sword and the Cross, left large imprints on our national psyche. Catholicism as defined by the friars brought with it religious fervor not much different from pagan practices, and which is seen today in the near-fanatic worship of iconic imagery highlighted during festivals in honor of the Virgin Mary, the Infant Jesus as well as the individual patron saints. Folks in the Visayan region, cradle of Christianity in the Philippines, are among the most avid religious fiesta-goers, particularly those venerating the Sto. Nino.
Mindanao, in turn, with its majestic interplay of influences from Muslim and tribal cultures, displays the opulence of its festivals through visual narratives commemorating the coming of Islam and the staunch determination of the people to stem foreign invaders. Being the richest in terms of natural resources, the largest island in the archipelago also celebrates the fruits of the land as well as the endless gifts of the seas.
Aliwan Fiesta 2009 Winners
Street Dance Competition
First Place: Buyogan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte
Second Place: Tribu Kasag from Banate, Iloilo representing the Kasadyahan Festival
Third Place: Tribu Paghidaet of La Paz National High School, delineating Iloilo’s Dinagyang.
Float Design Competition
First Place: Laoag, Ilocos Norte depicting the Abel Iloko, Woven and Worn
Second Place: Cotabato’s Lemba Float
Third Place: Paghidaet’s Dinagyang float
Aliwan Fiesta 2009 Participants
(1) Lakbayaw Festival – Tondo, Metro Manila
(2) Pakalog Festival – Pasig City
(3) Panagbenga Festival – Baguio City Benguet
(4) Pamulinawen Festival – Laoag, Ilocos Norte
(5) Ibon-Ebon Festival – Candaba, Pampanga
(6) Caragan Festival – Mabalacat, Pampanga
(7) Boling Boling Festival – Catanauan, Quezon
(8) Fiesta De Toros – Nasugbu, Batangas
(9) Lambayok Festival – San Juan, Batangas
(10) Lapay Bantigue Festival – Masbate
(11) Pulang Angui Festival – Albay
(12) Dinagyang Festival – Iloilo
(13) Kasadyahan Festival – Iloilo
(14) Paraw Regatta – Iloilo
(15) Siloy Festival – Alcoy, Cebu
(16) Buyogan Festival – Abuyog, Leyte
(17) Karatong Festival – Dulag, Leyte
(18) Kadayawan Festival – Davao
(19) Mimodoman Kalilangan Festival – General Santos City
(20) Tuna Festival – General Santos City
(21) Buklod Festival – Parang, Maguindanao
(22) Kalilintad Festival – Mamasapano, Maguindanao
