This coming Friday and Saturday, the Aliwan Fiesta is in town once again, featuring the festivals from around the Philippines. What can you expect from this festival? Colorful costumes, heart-thumping beats and performances fueled by passion and Lipovitan.
The plan was to meet at the Quirino Grandstand at 1pm to take portrait shots of the contingents. I have been sleeping in for the past couple of days, and when Saturday finally rolled in, I found myself still awake at 8:00 am. Hearing the household showly waking up, I got out of bed and joined my sister and her kids at the table for breakfast.
After an hour, I resumed my attempts in getting some sleep. I finally did doze off — at 10:30 am. My alarm went off at 11:30. Stumbling out of bed, I went to the bathroom to wake myself fully with a cold, refreshing shower. Of course, a cold shower during summer in the Philippines can only do so much. A couple of minutes out in the sun waiting for a jeep, fx or a cab had me sweating.
I barely made it in time for our 1:00 pm meet. Eric was already at Quirino, taking pictures. We meet up at the food stalls across the Manila Ocean park entrance. After downing a glass of cold mango shakes, we headed off to take pictures before it got too dark.
We first went to the area where the floats are parked. You can really see the effort each contingent poured into their entry. Both the dancer’s costumes and the floats have been given a lot of attention, and were fine tuned to the last detail. After all, there was a Php500,000 prize for the best float.
Afterwards, we went out to the field where the dancers are assembled and waiting for the cue to start the parade to the Aliw Theatre. I overheard one dancer telling Eric that they put on their make ups as early as 10:00 am. That meant they were probably changing into their costumes at 9:00 am, and up at 7:00 am. They have been up for close to 8 hours at that point, yet you can still feel the energy emanating from them (and from the pile of empty energy drink bottles in the middle of the field).
They all look so young. There were kids as young as 8 or 9 years old, high school teens and probably some in their early 20′s. They were all dedicated to their craft, and you can just see how much they love their province and their heritage.
After shooting for close to two hours, Eric and I had a quick bathroom break, then we each bought a can of cold soda. Laguidly walking back to the area where the contingents are lined up, we were stopped by a barricade guarded by a bunch of burly men. We have to be authorized to enter the area, they said. We didn’t really mind; we had our pictures. Just as we were discussing whether to make our way to the Aliw Theater, where the performances will be, huge drops of rain started falling from the sky. Our decision was made: we’re riding a taxi to the CCP complex.
Luckily, a cab just drove into the Quirino Grandstand, dropping off its passenger. We quickly got in, and told the driver to take us to Aliw Theatre. It started pouring in earnest, and we wondered what happened to the gorgeous floats and to the make up and body paints meticulously painted on each dancer.
Understandably, the parade was delayed. To while away our time, we paid a Php 60 entrance fee to go inside Star City. A lot of people were there, waiting for the rain to let up, so all the restaurants facing the performance area was packed. We passed the time having heavy merienda and buying snacks, knowing that once we took at place at the press box, there would be no going out.
The rain finally let up around 6:00 pm. We eagerly went out and saw that several hundred other people had the same idea. The rain was definitely not in their agenda, and the organizers were doing all they can to drain the puddles (or mini rivers) that formed thanks to the sudden downpour. As the water slowly receeded, the rain started up again several times, though not as hard as it did earlier.
Soaked with sweat and rain, feet squishing inside wet shoes, exhausted due to lack of sleep and tired from standing up for more than an hour, I was elated when the announcer said the first contingent were already in Vito Cruz. Finally at 8:00 pm, the program started.
It was amazing to see the groups perform. After hours spent baking in the sun, getting drenched by the rain, parading from Rizal Park to the CCP complex, they still have the energy to dance so beautifully during their performance. There aren’t any traces of fatigue in their eyes, only their dazzling smiles as they go through each step.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t enough to revive me. I mustered up the energy to watch four groups, but gave up afterwards. I wanted to at least watch up to contingent number 9, but I really couldn’t take it anymore. Stumbling from the pressbox and squeezing through the crowds, the only exit I found required one to go under the bleachers and stepping through a rather high rail. What an experience! Can’t wait for next year 
Bonus picture: Bloggers Da Who!
Da Who itong blogger na na-ispotan namin sa Aliwan Fiesta na nag papapicture kasama ang isang hybrid na zebra/baka?
I’m a wuss. After only four performances, I chickened out and left the Aliw Theatre, where the Aliwan Fiesta 2008 contingents were performing for the judges and the public. In my defense, I barely had an hour of sleep, I was at the Quirino Grandstand by 1:30pm, took photos under the midday sun for an hour or two. Then, when it started raining, we quickly hopped into a cab to take us to Aliw Theater. It was pouring when we got there and neither one of us had an umbrella so we had to dash from the cab and through a huge puddle of water.
After passing the rain and the time inside Star City, Eric and I headed out to the press box, eagerly waiting for the first contingent’s arrival. Because of the sudden downpour, the first performers didn’t arrive until almost three hours later. I was sleep deprived, my clothes are wet and I’m exhausted.
But I managed to take this short video clip of the Pamulinawen festival’s performance.
More photos from the Aliwan Fiesta 2008 coming up tomorrow! Here are my rather colorful updates while I was at the Aliw Theatre via Twitter:
evilmartian: inulan ang aliwan. Here in front of aliw theatre, waiting for the performers about 5 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: This is so tagal ha. Running on an hour’s sleep. I feel so soggy. about 5 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: There’s no way i’m going to the cs party. I need a long soak in the bath. Ugh. about 5 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: First contingent already at Vito Cruz. They’re taking too long *grumpy* about 5 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: NNNNGGGGHHHH about 5 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: opening dance: teeny boppers dancing ala vilma santos complete with half baked cos and high heels about 4 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: 8pm. They’re just turning into the ccp complex. Will i be able to finish all 24 performances? about 4 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: ay nalalaglag ang tube dress nya. Tsk, i dnt think i got that in the video about 4 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: Pyrolympics? More like lightning- lympics about 4 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: finally starting. Yay! I want to go home now. about 4 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: san ka nakakita ng mangingisda na kumekembot? about 4 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: bah, dnt introduce the judges anymore. I want to watch the kalintad of maguindanao! about 3 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: wat the fuck?! There’s no way out! about 3 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: gave up after 4 contingents. Waiting for a cab, seeing parts of the pyrolympics from a distance about 3 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: driving along roxas, groups are still parading from quirino grandstand about 3 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: A lot of cars hav parked on the inner lane and are just watching about 3 hours ago from phtwitters
evilmartian: we’re in front of rajah sulaiman, and hav just passed the last contingent about 3 hours ago from phtwitters
Yes, I’m high maintenance :P
This weekend seems to be packed with events that you’re spoilt for choice. Rather, make that overwhelmed with options that you wouldn’t know which one to attend!
I will be going to two: The Aliwan Fiesta with Mr. Byahilo.com, and a bunch of Couch Surfing Manila members. Afterwards, we’ll be headed to a CS Manila birthday bash. My first CS party!
The Aliwan Fiesta is a yearly event anticipated by the many. Organized by the media outfit Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), the Aliwan Festival aims to promote the rich, colorful and vibrant festivals of the Philippines. Through the Aliwan Fiesta, one does not need to hop from one island to another just to experience the non-stop streetdancing, and the loud drumbeating. No need to take a bus and roam all over Luzon and fly to Visayas or sail the high seas going to Mindanao. It’s all being carried here in the country’s capital, Manila. Get the chance to see Cebu City’s Sinulog Festival represented by the Lumad Basakanon perform their Dance ritual. See the Tribu Paghida-et of Iloilo City’s Dinagyang Festival perform their dance routine. It’s also your chance to see other equally colorful and beautiful festivals like the General Santos’ Kalilangan Festival, Zamboanga City’s Hermosa festival, Baguio City’s Panagbenga Festival and Maguindanao’s Padang-padang Festival. Its seeing all the country’s best all in just one sitting.
Source: Byahilo.com
Since the the CS party would be held at the pool deck of one of the condominium buildings lining the Roxas boulevard, I was wondering if we’d be able to see the fireworks at the 3rd World Pyrolympics at the Mall of Asia?
WORLD PYRO SATURDAYS OF MAY
May 3
7.30pm China’s The Glorious Group
9.00pm Germany’s Nico Lunig EventMay 10
7.30pm Canada’s Pyro Studios
9.00pm France’s Fetes et FeuxMay 17
7.30pm Italy’s Parente Fireworks
9.00pm Venezuela’s Venefuegos Fireworks C.a.May 24
7.30pm South Korea’s Hanwha Corporation
9.00pm Australia’s Explosive Productions Pty LtdMay 31
7.30pm Fellowship of Fire – Collaboration of all Countries with Philippines
9.00pm Philippines! La Mancha Pyromusical Grand FinaleSource: Our Awesome Planet
On the otherhand, a lot of bloggers I know are headed to Greenhills this Saturday, for the Man Blog’s Banana Gangbang Rock Festival.
To the truckloads of fans of The Man-Blog (TMB), here’s your chance to see this awesometastic blog’s denizens do something other than entertain you with finely written dickery. TMB will be having a gig dubbed “The Banana Gangbang Rock Festival” happening on May 3, 2007 at Bela Bar in Greenhills, San Juan.
Marco Palinar, Mike Villar, Ade Magnaye, and Lauren Dado’s bands will be performing. BAM-BAM-BAM-BAM! You’re bound to eargasm four times right there and right then!
Source: Fritzified.com
Or if you choose to stay at home, why not work on your Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf story? Who knows, you just might end up winning a trip to Hollywood!
Share and inspire others with your passion.
Remember your first date over soul-warming cups of Chai Latte? Or when you landed that important business deal over Cappucino? And how relaxing your Me-Time felt curled up in the couch with your Double Vanilla Ice Blended?
The Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf invites you to share your most memorable experiences at The Bean online by joining My Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf Story. Tell us what’s brewing and get a chance to win a trip to Hollywood, Los Angeles, USA for 4 days and 3 nights, with accommodations and pocket money.
So, where are YOU going this weekend?
Nina, going through quarterlife crisis, decided to stop talking about traveling and actually start traveling. Starting with a solo weekend trip to Cebu to a backpacking trip in Thailand and Singapore, she finally made it out of Asia and into Australia. After spending close to six months down under, she's happily settled in Manila (for now), intent to explore the best things the Philippines has to offer.
