Tribu Katbalaugan, representing the Manaragat festival of Catbalogan City, won the Aliwan Fiesta’s grand street dance championship for the second straight win, with a decisive victory over Tribu Salognon of the Iloilo Dinagyang Festival.
Fresh from their second place finish in the Sinulog earlier this year, the Samareños combined verve, precision, energy, and color in a masterful routine that wowed audiences at both Quirino Grandstand and the Aliw Theater complex, where the two showdowns were held.
Students from the Dr. Bernabe de la Fuente National High School of Upi, Maguindanao won third place for their delineation of the Meguyaya festival.
The Datu Piang Performing Arts Guild, representing the Sagayan festival, came in fourth, while first-time entry Dolores, Quezon, with their Hambujan Dancers depicting the province’s Niyogyugan Festival, achieved their fifth place finish.
Cebu scored back-to-back wins in the float design and Reyna ng Aliwan competitions, with the IPI-Sinulog float winning first prize, and Cynthia Thomalla being named festival queen.
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 Bathsoap, Tanduay Rhum, Alaska, Coca Cola, Dunkin Donuts, M. Lhuillier, Columbia Candies, Cherry Mobile, Fukuda, AICS, GES Led Lights, Bayview Park Hotel, Robinsons Place Manila, and Hotel Jen.