In a week, the Philippines’ grandest festival, the Aliwan Fiesta, is slated to make its epic comeback in the streets of Pasay City for a three-day event from July 13 to 15.

In the annual grand parade, the float design competition is a much-awaited component of the event, in which craftsmen from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao go all-out to pull off the best float, supporting the festival dance showdown.

Showcasing their creativity to present a concept that will represent their town, they are encouraged to use authentic cultural elements that specifically represent their localities in their festival entries.

Talking about champions, the city of Laoag in Ilocos Norte has garnered a total of six championships throughout the years of Aliwan Fiesta with their entries "Pamulinawen of Laoag, Ilocos Norte" (2003 and 2012); "Tawid of Laoag" (2004); "Biag ni Lam-ang of Laoag" (2006); "Calesa of Laoag" (2008); and "Abel Iloko Woven and Worn of Laoag" (2009).

Following is the breakdown of winning floats in the history of Aliwan Fiesta:

• 2003: Guinakit of Parang, Maguindanao
• Pamaskong Aliwan 2003: Pamulinawen of Laoag, Ilocos Norte
• 2004: Tawid of Laoag
• 2005: Sabutan of Isabela
• 2006: Biag ni Lam-ang of Laoag
• 2007: Guinakit of Sultan Kudarat
• 2008: Calesa of Laoag
• 2009: Abel Iloko, Woven and Worn of Laoag
• 2010: Kanggulagna sa Mindanao of Cotabato City
• 2011: Biday, a Pinangasturian of Buluan, Maguindanao
• 2012: Pamulinawen of Laoag
• 2013: Bahandi Han Eastern Visayas of Alang-alang, Leyte
• 2014: Bambanti Festival of Isabela
• 2015: Sto Nio Fluvial Procession of Pinabacdao, Samar
• 2016: IPI Sinulog of Cebu
• 2017: Sta. Cruz de Mayo of Tacloban
• 2018: Tarakluban of Tacloban
• 2019: Tacloban Through the Years

Due to continuing road repairs along Roxas Boulevard, the big parade on July 15 will take place around the CCP Complex.

It will begin at 5:00 p.m. down Jalandoni Street alongside Star City, then right on Bukaneg Street to Harbor Square, where the first judging area will be.

See you there!