The Halamanan festival float stood out among all regional participants that showcased amazing extravagant floats in the recent Aliwan Fiesta 2023 grand parade held on Saturday, July 15.
The garden-like float of the Town of Guiguinto, Bulacan reflected the skills of Guiguinteños in gardening, landscaping, bonsai cultivation, and dish garden making by using several local materials to build their float, such as wood, bamboo, hay, root crops, coconut leaves, and natural plants.
According to the designers of the float, their creation represents their town’s history, values, and skills.
"The Halaman Festival float represents the collective defense of Guiguinteños for freedom during the Spanish era. The bahay kubo, bayanihan, stands for the municipality’s battle cry, "Pamahalaang nakikinig, tumutugon, ramdam, at abot kamay, kaagapay sa buhay." The gazebo represents elements of Guiguinto as it is continuous for the skills of people in various fields," said the speaker during the float’s presentation.
The float bagged a ₱750,000 worth of gift check.
Reyna ng Aliwan 2023 participant Mary Anne dela Cruz boarded the Halamanan festival float.
Meanwhile, Sipa sa Manggis of Cotabato City and Lapat Float of Calansan, Apayao placed second and third place. They received ₱300,000 and ₱100,000 worth of gift checks, respectively.
The runner ups are as follows:
- Daradiat o Bangsa-Rajahmuda from Mother Kabunatalan, Maguindanao del Norte
- Sigkel sa Igan of Sultan Kudarat, Pangengedong of Maguindanao del Norte
- Sigkel sa Igan of Sultan Kudarat
- Kangga Festival of Mogpog, Marinduque
- Salakab Float of Muntinlupa City
- Renamentaw Mapalaw of Northern Cabuntalan Maguindano del Norte, who have received ₱25,000 gift check.
The floats were judged based on craftsmanship, theme, and overall impact or ingenuity.
The float parade and competitions are one of the highlights of the Aliwan Fiesta every year.
