
3-day Aliwan Fiesta opens June 27
PAGEANTRY, pomp, color, music, and parades will rule the CCP Complex for three days as the much-awaited Aliwan Fiesta opens June 27 at the CCP Complex, Pasay City, promising a spectacular showcase of the Philippines’ rich cultural heritage through music, dance, and art.
The three-day event, running from June 27 to 29, Thursday to Saturday, brings together the best of the country’s festivals in a grand celebration of Filipino traditions and heritage via streetdance, musical performance, Reyna ng Aliwan pageant, concerts, and photography competition.
Festivities include the Tugtog ng Aliwan competition Pasakalye Concert at 7 p.m., on June 27; the Reyna ng Aliwan pageant finals on June 28, at Aliw Theater; and the grand finale showcasing the Streetdance and Float competition contestants on on Saturday, June 29, starting at 5 pm at the intersection of Jalandoni St. and V. Sotto St., CCP Complex, Pasay City.
“We are so amazed at the level of excellence today in streetdancing from the contingents from the different provinces, not only in choreography, design, costumes but more importantly in performance. What we will see this year is a very tight competition among winners of various festivals. I am also glad that the MBC Media Group has initiated a new competition among accompanying musical ensembles of the various contingents. They deserve recognition and they are all outstanding,” says Nestor Jardin, former president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, who as a judge, has seen Aliwan Fiesta grow from the start in 2003, to the present.
National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) Executive Director Dr. Eric Zerrudo adds how impressed he is with how the floats to represent various Philippine festivals have substantially improved, thanks to the high standard of quality that Aliwan Fiesta has inspired in competitors.
“We have seen over the years how the quality of the festival floats has they have increased in leaps and bounds in numbers, in terms of fervor to study, improve, train and capacitate, not only in choreography, music, lights, props, but also in how to tell the story,’’ Zerrudo explains
MBC Media Group president Ruperto Nicdao Jr. shared his enthusiasm for the event and spoke of the impact of Aliwan Fiesta. “Reyna ng Aliwan for instance has become a stepping stone for our Reynas to win national and international beauty titles,” Nicdao says.
Aliwan Fiesta 2024, the Philippines’ festival of champions, is organized by the MBC Media Group, Group in partnership with the City of Pasay, the City of Manila and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and promises an exhilarating extravaganza of music, dance, and cultural displays. The event is also supported by Pride, Unique, Smart, Star Wax, Shield, Charm, White Rose, Dunkin Donuts, Bingo Plus, MX3, Rexona, Sunsilk, Lady’s Choice, Knorr Sinigang, AICS, Bayview, Tanduay, Absolute, and Summit.

