First organized in 2003 by Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) together with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the cities of Manila and Pasay, the event is dubbed as “the Philippines’ Grandest Fiesta”. Aliwan Fiesta aims to showcase the different Filipino cultures and heritage not only to the people in Metro Manila but also to the rest of the world. Aliwan is a Tagalog word for “entertainment” or “amusement.”
Aliwan Fiesta is divided into three categories: Cultural Street Dance Competition (the main event), Float Parade, and Reyna ng Aliwan (Queen of Entertainment/Amusement) competition. The total prize money for 3 competitions is up to P3 million (roughly 70,000 USD). Each of the country’s 17 regions has the option to send up to two contingents representing its respective cultural festival, as well as an option to send a representing float and or Reyna ng Aliwan contestant.
The Float Parade is perhaps the most visually exciting part of the festivities. The moving platforms are decorated with textiles, flowers, produce, and products that are specific to the city they are representing, to represent the culture of their region, and they are absolutely overwhelming in their grandeur and design.
Each car will have contestants from the Reyna ng Aliwan of each region standing on top of the floats as they are the muses and inspiration behind the designs. Reyna ng Aliwan gathers some of the most stunning Filipino women from the country, that compete for the title of the most beautiful one. Reyna ng Aliwan actually serves as a great training ground for women who aim to be pageant contestants, and many of them go on to win multiple other beauty contests.
The Cultural Street Dance contest is probably the most popular category and is characterized by pomp and color. The dancers perform moves characteristic to their region’s culture and local festivals, during a 2.5-kilometer-long parade from Quirino Grandstand to Aliw Theater grounds.
The top ten contingents in the cultural dance and float competitions receive cash prizes, with the top float winner receiving P500,000 (roughly US$11,000) and the winning cultural dance group getting P1 million (about US$23,000) as well as the bragging rights of becoming the champion of Aliwan Fiesta. Meanwhile, the Reyna ng Aliwan receives P100,000 (roughly US$2,300)
In addition to the main activities above, side events are also organized including a bazaar featuring different regional products, a photography contest, an inter-scholastic dance competition, Filipino street games, and a fireworks display.
According to Wikipedia and expertworldtravel.com
