Expats’ Guide to the Aliwan Fiesta
The Aliwan Fiesta sounds like one of our country’s monthly celebrations. However, there are a couple of differences between Aliwan and the other festivals in the Philippines:
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT ALIWAN. It’s not a festival, but it does celebrate our many festivals. Photos courtesy of Aliwan Fiesta Facebook page
Aliwan is not an actual festival, or at least, not in the Filipino sense. It doesn’t celebrate a patron saint, a founding of a town, or a particular product. Filipino festivals usually revolve around one of these three things, and are usually month-long affairs highlighted by a two- or three-day event where the festival kicks into high gear.
Aliwan is actually a competition. Over the years, it has brought together the country’s most vibrant festivals in the form of street dancers, floats, and their most beautiful maidens to the capital to have them compete for the title of the best of the best.
Aliwan is organized by a broadcasting company. The Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) organizes the yearly event, and they’ve been at it for 16 years.
At the end of the day, the Aliwan Fiesta is still about one thing: promoting Philippine culture through the many festivals it invites. At the Aliwan Fiesta, there are no losers. Everyone truly wins, because while you may not bag the top prize, your festival will be recognized by the entire country.
Aliwan Fiesta happens every April. To plan your stay in Manila around the competition, visit http://www.aliwanfiesta.com.ph/ or follow their Facebook page (Aliwan Fiesta).
