Posted on May 5, 2008

The Aliwan Fiesta streetdance competiton is finally over. But the talk is obviously not yet
over. People still love to discuss highlights and the lowlights of the Philippine’s Grandest
Fiesta.

Here are some photos from the recently concluded Alilwan Fiesta 2008:

Three-in-a-row Grand Prize Winner, The Lumad Basakanon group of Cebu Sinulog
Festival -

I was kind of surprised whrn they were announced as the winner. The routine is very
predictable. The had alsmot the same dance choreography just like in 2006 and 2007.
Comstume has some kind of similarity too. The only difference I see this year are the
green bananas. They were fishermen last year and coconut harverts in 2006. Hopefully
they would try to infuse innovations next year. I love their executions though.

First runner-up Tribu Paghidaet of Dinagyang Festival Iloilo City

While checking the Youtube video sometime last week, I was doubting if Dinagyang
could ever pull a surprise win. The rehearsal video was lousy. They’re not synchronized.
Not a good team to be declared an Aliwan Champion. But their May 3 performance at the
Alliw theater proved me wrong. Pin-sharp accuracy and synchronization is their big gun.
Perfect routine. The costume change is I guess unique only to this group. No ther festival
I belive, has ever done this in Aliwan. They were the most-applauded group in the 24-
team Aliwan Fiesta dance showdown.

2nd Runner up - Sinulog Festival of Carmen Cebu

I have heard about Carmen last January when some camps accused them of
copying the concept and costume of Lumad Basakanon who was declared the Free
Interpretation Category Champion of the Sinulog Festival. Carmen became the
bridesmade to Lumad Basakanon.

Their costume indeed has some similarities to the ones used by LUmab Basakanon,
especially the brown skin-tone tights printed with tatoo patterns. Anyway, I don’t have
any complains on their choreography. I love it. They were actually my choice ti be the
first runner-up. My third runner up choice was Buyogan Festival of Abuyog Lete.

My biggest disappointment - Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos Leyte

I have seen them in Aliwan Fiesta 2007. I have also seen their routine during Sinulog
Festival through Youtube. Their Costume during Sinulog 2008, whiwch they also used
last May3 is the same. Their routine last sinulog was better than what they had last
Aliwan Fiesta 2007. So I am only expecting nothing but an outstanding number from
them. But Lo and behlod. They failed miserably. Thye moment I saw their routine, I was
already sure that they wont land in the top 3.

Biggest killjoy - The heavy downpour

Just minutes before 4PM May 3, rains started to pour all over Metro Manila. Leaving all
the dancers wet, make up and body paints washed from their faces and bodies. While
Photographers were scampering for shelter. The hour-long rain has flooded the area
where the dancers whould be performing in front of the Aliw Theater. Not to mention the
pressbox. I need to wade through a two-inch deep (that’s just an estimate) of flooded
water just to get inside the are reserved for press.

Right after the competition, I reviewed my noted and made my own Top 10. I am not sure
if am just lucky or what, but 9 out of my 10 top made it. Included in my top 10 which
didn’t made it was the Meguyaya Festival. The 10th spot on the winners list was gotten
by Disposorio Singkaban Festival of Hagonoy Bulacan.