ALIWAN 2023’s Floating Works of Art

Daradiat o Bangsa-Rajahmuda float of Mother Kabuntalan, Maguindanao Del Norte. Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Thaddeus Bautista

Floats at the 20^th installment of ALIWAN last July 15, 2023, have become more elaborate and colorful. The rains may have shortened the route this year (around CCP complex), but they were still able to amaze the crowds in attendance.

From left: Pasay Mayor Emi Calixto Rubiano and MBC Pres. Ruperto Nicdao opened Aliwan Fiesta Street dance competition with a gong. July 15, 2023 at MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

Best Float Winner: Halamanan Festival Float of Guiginto, Bulacan; Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

Previous years, the route was from the Quirino Grandstand to the mainstage, at Sotto Street, in between two landmarks CCP and the façade of MBC Building, STAR City. The size of the floats have also become bigger allowing designers to add more dimension and décor.

Halamanan Festival of Guiginto Bulacan garnered Best Float in a very competitive race.

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Floats Awards List

The Halamanan Festival of Guiginto, Bulacan won the top prize of Best Float.

First Runner Up: Sipa sa Manggis of Cotabato City

Second Runner Up: Lapat Festival of Calanasan, Apayao

#16 Polyanna Martina Manalo of Anihan sa Ambling Festival (Magdalena, Laguna) on the 1st Runner Up: Sipa sa Manggis Float of Cotabato City. Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Runners Up award were given to seven floats:

– Kangga Festival of Mogpog, Marinduque

– Salakab Float of Muntinlupa City

– Salakot of Maguindanao Del Norte

Street Dance Champion: Iloilo Dinagyang Festival represented by Tribu Parianon. Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

– Tagultol at Tagayan of Atimonan Quezon

– Renamentaw Mapalaw of Maguindanao Del Norte

– Sigkel sa Igan of Maguindanao Del Norte

– Daradiat o Bangsa-Rajahmuda of Maguindanao Del Norte

#20 Jazminum Marciano of Kangga Festival on the Kangga Festival Float of Mogpog, Marinduque. Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Respected Panel of Judges

ALIWAN Fest Organizers, selected the most qualified judges for this year’s float competition: Rachy Cuña, Dr. Eric Zerrudo and Ricardo Cruz.

Reyna Ng Aliwan featured the most beautiful candidates from across the country. Aliwan Fiesta 2023 was held July13-15, 2023, MBC Bldg., CCP Complex, Pasay City. Photo by Jude Bautista

Chairman of the Board Rachy Cuña is considered as the country’s one and only floral architect. He is a renowned installation artist who recently exhibited in S Maison Atrium of Conrad Manila and the National Museum. He also known as a tireless promoter of Filipino Culture.

Street Dance 3rd Placer: Manggahan Festival of Guimaras Province represented by Hubon Balsahan. Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo is the Director of the University of Santo Tomas (UST) Graduate School Center for Conservation of Cultural Property and the Environment in the Tropics (USTGS-CCCPET). He was the former UNESCO Philippines Commissioner for the World Heritage Convention and the Focal Person for Intangible Cultural Heritage Convention of the Philippines.

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Ricardo ‘Eric’ Cruz is the CCP’s Chief Culture and the Arts Officer. Specifically, he heads the Production Design and Technical Services Division under the Production and Exhibition Dept.

From left: CCP Chief Culture and the Arts Officer Ricardo ‘Eric’ Cruz and USTGS-CCCPET Director Dr. Eric B. Zerrudo. Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

RAMAHARI

In his youth, Eric was the apprentice of Production Designer Salvador ‘Badong’ Bernal who is National Artist for Theater. Eric serves as expert consultant to the timeless works of Bernal. Such as RAMAHARI which will have a showing this September 15-16 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila. And September 22-23 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.

Salakab Float of Muntinlupa City; Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

Cruz’ exacting eye and training will ensure that Bernal’s designs are faithfully recreated in the show that features the works of 4 other National Artists: choreography by National Artist Alice Reyes and music by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, with lyrics and libretto by National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera, Production design by National Artist Salvador Bernal and Translations by National Artist Rolando Tinio.

Cruz very generously granted an interview and explained the panel’s choices that night.

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Street Dance 2nd Placer: Sinulog Festival of Cebu City represented by Tribu Lumad Basakanon. Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

Craftsmanship

What was it about Halamanan Fest Float that made it win Best Float? What are the categories of judging/ what do we look for in the Best Float?

As judges, we expect that all participants in the float competition will exert all efforts to give their best in representing their region or showcase what they are good at, in this case, through a float or a mobile structure. When designing a float, one should cover the maximum coverage of the vehicle or its mobile structure by any means possible.

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It was a tough decision because all participants did their best. However, in any competition, there will always be standouts. We had to be guided by a set of criteria supplied by the organizers. So decisions were made based on craftsmanship, theme, and overall impact and ingenuity.

1st Runner Up: Sipa sa Manggis Float of Cotabato City; Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

Distinct Flavor

Was it a close race between Halamanan and Sipa sa Manggis, which was 2nd place? How did Sipa Sa Manggis and Lapat Festival Floats distinguish themselves?

The decision was difficult. It was a close race between Halamanan, Sipa sa Manggis, and Lapat Festival floats. Each has a very distinct flavor. Halamanan used real live plants with some folk crafts like the enlarged solihiya that represented a locomotive engine, a foliage-covered bahay kubo connected to a pergola through a bridge.

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2nd Runner Up: Lapat Festival Float of Calanasan, Apayao Province; Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

Sipa sa Manggis was fully outfitted with elements and folk items endemic to Cotabato City. Lapat Festival float used organic, natural, and indigenous elements to dress their float.

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Solihiya – The humble rattan plant has long been used as a material for furniture, basket, and accessory making in the country. Its stems and lightweight core can be treated like wood for furnishings, while its skin and inner layers can be split into strands for weaving.

One of the most popular types of rattan weaves is solihiya. You can’t miss its distinctive pattern, which is composed of a repetitive grid of sunburst weaves with a hole in the middle. The holes allow air to flow through, which is essential in our tropical climate. From fameplus.com: https://fameplus.com/touchpoint/solihiya

#8 Mary Ann Dela Cruz of Halamanan festival on the Best Float Winner: Halamanan Festival Float of Guiginto, Bulacan. Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

Aliwan Promotes Locals Fests and Tourism

In your mind, how does ALIWAN help promote or support Filipino culture?

Aliwan helps promote or support Filipino culture by bringing these cultures and folk crafts and traditions to the metropolis and showcasing the best of the best festivals in the country. Without Aliwan, these local / regional festivals will only be known in their respective region or districts.

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How does ALIWAN help promote or support PH Tourism?

Through Aliwan, these festivals boost their respective regional/ local tourism.

Antipolo Maytime Festival of Antipolo City represented by Maharlika Dance Troupe. Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

20^th Anniversary Achievement

What can you say about the longevity of ALIWAN on its 20th anniversary?

To send several performing contingents numbering approximately 100 to 200 people to Manila to showcase their local culture through the street dance competition, the Reyna ng Aliwan competition, or the float competition itself is already a huge achievement to the organizers. People look forward to being part of Aliwan because, for those who do not have the luxury to travel and the opportunity of visiting other regions, Aliwan provides them with this platform.

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Street Dance 5th Placer: Kadalag-an Festival of Victorias City, Negros Occidental represented by Sidlak Kadalag-an Dancers. Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

Smiles, Sweat and Tears

Do you have a favorite ALIWAN memory from over the years?

If you consider the smiles, sweat, and tears of each performer of the Aliwan a memory, then that is it. Regardless of the weather condition, rain or shine, each performer will give their best to represent their region with all their energy and passion. They love and enjoy what they are doing.

—Thank you again for the patience of Ricardo ‘Eric’ Cruz in this enlightening interview. Break a leg for RAMAHARI – September 15-16 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila. And September 22-23 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.

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Kangga Festival of Mogpog, Marinduque; Aliwan Fiesta 2023 Street dance and Float competition was held last July 15, 2023 at the MBC Building and STAR CITY façade, CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista

#20 Jazminum Marciano of Kangga Festival (Mogpog, Marinduque). Aliwan Fiesta 2023 was held July13-15, 2023, MBC Bldg., CCP Complex, Pasay City. Photo by Jude Bautista

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