2014 ALIWAN FIESTA

by lakwatserong tsinelas - 1:10 AM

Lumad Basakanon of Sinulog Cebu - Grand Champion of the 2014 Aliwan street dance competition

26 April 2014- The showcase of the Grand Festival of Champions was set, allowing the residents of Metro Manila to experience and witness first hand how it feels to celebrate a festival in the province. With the colorful costumes and graceful execution of dance routines, who would not be enticed to brave the overcrowded space and traffic jam piled up at the Cultural Center of the Philippines, specifically near the Star City in what they refer to as the Aliwan grounds.

My first experience of the Aliwan fiesta last year made me realize that indeed there are a lot of things that Filipinos should be grateful of. Every festival in the country celebrates the richness of the cultural heritage we are endowed with and the bountiful blessings that we are provided, in whatever form it may be. From last year's street dance competition experience, I was looking forward for contingents from the Eastern Visayas region this year like the Buyogan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte, Lingganay Festival of Alang-alang, Leyte and Pasaka Festival of Tanauan, Leyte

However, for obvious reasons, contingents from Eastern Visayas were not able to make it. Thus, one thing noticeable is the fact that there will only be one contingent this year, in honor of Senor Santo Nino, and that is, the Lumad Basakanon representing Sinulog of Cebu City.

This years list of winners are:

Street dance Competition

Champion: Sinulog Festival of Cebu City

2nd Place: Meguyaya Festival of Upi, Maguindanao

3rd Place: T'nalak Festival of South Cotabato

4th Place: Pamulinawen Festival of Laoag City

5th Place: Caragan Festival of Mabalacat, Pampanga

Runners-up:

Bato Arts Festival of Luna, Isabela
Pandang Gitab Festival of Oriental Mindoro
Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City
Adivay Festival of Benguet
Kalivungan Festival of North Cotabato

Special Awards were likewise given to the following:

Best in Musical Accompaniment and Best in Costume: Sinulog Festival of Cebu City
Best in Folkloric Performance: Adivay Festival of Benguet

After the performances, my so-called balikbayan friend, was fortunate enough to have her picture taken with the winners of the Aliwan Fiesta, even before the announcement was made. Quite prophetic!