Hundreds flock to Aliwan Fiesta

Students perform during the Aliwan Festival in Manila. The annual festival is a gathering of the major cultural festivities from different provinces. The event brings together colourful displays showcasing a variety of tribes from across the Philippine archipelago. The three-day Aliwan Fiesta, which began on Thursday at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila and at the Star City Complex in Pasay, had an estimated budget of P65mn, organisers said. Since 2003, the Aliwan Fiesta has become an annual summer event that gathers different cultural festivals from around the country which compete in a dance parade, float competition, and a beauty pageant. Dubbed as among the country’s grandest celebration, the event showcases the different Filipino cultures and draws hundreds to the event .Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) President Ruperto Nicdao said MBC and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) are in their 11th year of staging the Aliwan Fiesta. He said the organisers have allocated P25mn to bring the nation’s most popular festivals in one single event. “Contingents from various regions all over the country spend about P2mn. There are 20 of them so roughly that’s P40mn,” he said, adding that bulk of their expenditures go to hotels, air fares and costumes. MBC assistant vice president for promotions Santi Elizalde said Aliwan Fiesta has gained full support from the private sector and has received sponsorship from Smart Communications, Tanduay, Alaska, MyJuiz, Cherry Mobile, The Coca Cola Export Company, Hanabishi, 7-11, Republic Chemicals, Unique Toothpaste, Pride Detergent, M. Lhuillier, Manila Ocean Park, Aquabest, Sulit.Com, Solaire, Dunkin Donuts, and Islands Souvenirs. The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) closed some streets in Manila and Pasay City to vehicular traffic for the fiesta.