Aliwan victors to highlight Iloilo as country's tourism capital

By Ian C. Espada

The top spots won by tribes from Iloilo in the recently concluded Aliwan in Metro Manila will highlight Iloilo provinces as the country's tourism capital, Iloilo Gov. Niel Tupas Sr. said.

The Pintados de Pasi of Passi City bagged the first place and went home with P1 million cash prize. They are the grand prize winner in the Kasadyahan category during this year's Dinagyang Festival.

Another Ilonggo tribe, the Tribu Kahilwayan of Sta. Barbara, clinched the second spot and received a P500,000 cash prize.

Dinagyang 2005 champion, Tribu Silak of the Iloilo City National High School finished third and got a P250,000 cash prize.

Tupas said these major victories brought by these tribes will highlight Iloilo Province as a "tourist destination capital" in the country.

The province through the Provincial Tourism Office is mulling advancing the festivities of the province's 42 municipalities and a component city to entertain tourists visiting Iloilo not just during the famed Dinagyang Festival.

The province has extended P200,000 as financial assistance to Pintados de Pasi and P100,000 to Tribu Kahilwayan. (PIO)