Catbalogan City retains Aliwan Fiesta championship
Catbalogan City asserted its superiority over other regional representatives with another decisive win in the streetdance competition of the recently concluded 2016 Aliwan Fiesta.
Tribu Katbalaugan, representing the city’s Manaragat festival, bested contingents from various regions of the Philippines including comebacking crowd drawer Iloilo Dinagyang Festival, and they claimed the million-peso grand prize for the second straight year.
The Ilonggos, represented by Tribu Salognon of Jaro National High School, came in second, with students from Dr. Bernabe de la Fuente Sr National High School in Upi, Maguindanao, essaying the Ted’urays’ Meguyaya Festival, taking third place. Datu Piang, Maguindanao’s delineation of the Sagayan Festival, emerged fourth overall, while the Hambujan Dancers of Dolores, Quezon, competing for the very first time on behalf of the Niyogyugan Festival, landed fifth.
Runner-up honors went to the Anilag Festival of Laguna, the Boling-Boling Festival of Catanauan, Quezon, and the Panagbenga Flower Festival of Baguio, which was also awarded for Best Folkloric Performance. Tribu Katbalaugan also took home special awards for Best Costume and Best Music.
In the float design competition, Cebu’s International Pharmaceuticals Inc. won the top plum for its rendering of the Sinulog float, with Damak of Cotabao City coming in second, and the Sagayan Festival copping third place.
In the Search for Reyna ng Aliwan, Sinulog Festival Queen Cynthia Thomalla recaptured the crown for Cebu, besting 15 other lovely candidates. Andrea Fe Gomez of Baguio’s Panagbenga was first runner-up, while sharing second runner-up honors were Lou Dominique Piczon of Catbalogan City’s Manaragat Festival, Darlene Joy Tabuga for the Pintados de Passi Festival of Iloilo, and Airish Yamamoto for the Anilag Festival of Laguna. Thomalla was likewise named Most Photogenic, Best in Swimsuit, Best in Evening Gown, and Best in Festival Costume, while Gomez received the award for Miss Unique Smile. In turn, Tabuga was selected by her fellow candidates as Miss Friendship.
Those who missed the grand summer spectacle can watch the Aliwan Fiesta TV Special, which will air on May 44 at 2:30 p.m. over PTV 4, to be hosted by 2015 Reyna ng Aliwan Stephanie Joy Abellanida.
The 2016 Aliwan Fiesta was presented by Manila Broadcasting Company, Star City, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, in cooperation with the cities of Manila and Pasay, with support from TM, Pride Detergent, Unique Toothpaste, Shield Bath Soap, Tanduay Rhum, Alaska, Coca Cola, White flower, Dunkin Donuts, Cherry Mobile, Columbia’s, Fukuda, Cruising, M. Lhuillier, Asian Institute of Computer Studies, GES Led Lights, Bayview Park Hotel, Robinsons Place Manila, Island Cove, and Hotel Jen.