For the first time since 2019, the Philippines’ Grandest Fiesta will officially return to the streets of Pasay City this July!
The Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC) together with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) have successfully launched the return of Aliwan Fiesta, the Grand Festival of Champions at a press conference held at the Aliw Theater on Friday, May 18.
The event was graced by CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan, MBC President Jun Nicdao, MBC Vice President for Admin and Human Resources Elen Fulido, MBC Operations division head and Aliwan 2023 Fiesta Production head Ivan Quiling, and MBC Public Relations consultant Susan Ortega.
The grand comeback of the three-day cultural festival was formally sealed through a memorandum of agreement inked by Mr. Nicdao, Mr. Marasigan, and Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano.
It’s official! Aliwan Fiesta is returning this July 13-15 on CCP Grounds. 🎉
— Christhel Cuazon (@chrsthljane) May 18, 2023
CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan, Pasay City Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, and MBC President Jun Nicdao signed the contract during the program. | @dzrhnews pic.twitter.com/kLpd8Ov5k7
In her short message, Calixto-Rubiano vowed to give her full support for Aliwan 2023.
Former queens of the Aliwan Fiesta — Reyna ng Aliwan Jamie Herrell (2013), Reyna ng Aliwan 2017 Marla Alforque, Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2020 and Miss Universe Philippines Top 18 contender Jannarie Zarzoso, and Aliwan Fiesta Digital Queen 2022 Marikit Manaois — also made special appearances in the press launch.
Big changes this year
To mark a brand new era, a new logo was also unveiled for the first time at the event.
This year, the new logo shied away from the traditional iconic Aliwan design elements like flowers, sun, and mascara.
Instead, it incorporated a simple but impactful headdress that emanated from the facade of the Aliw Theater. Below the headdress is the text whose font was inspired by Filipino weave work while the font colors represent the festivity.
The prizes at stake were also raised in celebration of Aliwan Fiesta's 20th anniversary since it started in 2003. Contingents from various provinces in the Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao can look forward to higher prizes in the three big competitions: the float parade, the Reyna ng Aliwan pageant, and the main competition, the cultural street dance competition.
For the pageant, the beauty queen who will bag the Reyna ng Aliwan crown will be taking home ₱150,000, the 1st runner-up with ₱75,000, and three 2nd runners-up with ₱20,000 each.
A cash prize of ₱5,000 each will be given to beauty queens who will be awarded the Best in Evening Gown, Best in Swimsuit, and Netizen’s Choice.
For the float competition, the first prize is ₱750,000, the second prize at ₱300,000, the third prize at ₱100,000, and the runners-up will have ₱25,000 each.
For the dance parade competition, the winning province will get ₱1.5 million, second runner-ups with ₱750,000, third runner up with ₱300,000, fourth runner-up with ₱150,000, fifth with ₱100,000, and the remaining will be given ₱50,000 each.
There will also be changes to the route of the float parade this year.
Traditionally, the parade starts in Quirino Grandstand in Manila then it transverses through Roxas Blvd. to Aliwan Theater in Vicente Sotto Street.
But this year, the route will solely focus around the CCP area which means that it will start and end at the Aliw Theater.
Aliwan Fiesta is an annual event organized by MBC and CCP that aims to showcase various Filipino cultures and heritage not only in the Philippines but to the world.
Dubbed the "Mother of all festivals", the event highlights festivals across the provinces such as Iloilo’s Dinagyang Festival, Cebu’s Sinulog, Baguio’s Panagbenga, Shariff Kabunsuan’s Padang-Padang, Rodriguez, Rizal’s Pamitinan, and many more.
This year's Aliwan Fiesta will be held from July 13 to July 15.
