Dinagyang bets to Aliwan Fiesta fail to get crowns
Iloilo's Dinagyang Festival again failed to regain the crown in the recently concluded Aliwan Fiesta in Manila. Cebu's Sinulog Festival retained the title it also won last year.
Dinagyang Festival represented by Tribu Ilonganon only landed second runner-up. They received P500,000 cash prize. The third runner up was Alikaraw Festival of Hilongos, Leyte. They received P250,000. Tribu Sinulog received the P1 million cash prize being the overall winner.
Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc. (IDFI) Executive Director Ben Jimena, who led the Ilonggo contingent to the Aliwan Fiesta, warmly accepted the result of the competition.
The runners up in the dance competition which received P50,000 each were Kahilwayan of Sta. Barbara; Babaylan Festival of Bago City, Negros Occidental; Kalilayan Festival of General Santos City; Pasalamat Festival of Pagadian City; Hermosa Festival of Zamboanga City; Disposorio Festival of Bulacan; and Sagayan Festival of Sultan Kudarat.
The festival was participated by 21 festivals all over the country.
Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde was the chief judge. Two other officials of the Cultural Center of the Philippines were named as judges in the competition
The competing tribes in the cultural dance competition were judged according to different criteria. The criteria for the dance are theme/concept - 25 percent, performance - 20 percent, choreography 20 - percent, props - 15 percent, costume - 15 percent and dance consistency - five percent.
For the Reyna ng Aliwan, Miss Dinagyang's Cara Jeanne Sullano, who was a crowd favorite, was only declared 1st runner up. She also won the award for the best evening gown.
This year's Reyna ng Aliwan is Jane De la Cruz of Bulacan's Disposorio Festival.
The runners-up in the beauty pageant were Diorell Lardizabal of Pakalog Festival of Santolan in Pasig City, Ma. Raenalyn Guansing of Baguio City's Panagbenga Festival, and Tanya Christine Biatingo of Negros Occidental's Babaylan Festival.
Meanwhile, the Dinagyang Festival's float was third runner-up in the float competition. Sultan Kudarat's Sagayan Festival was declared best in float. Bulacan's Disposorio Festival won second place.
The Aliwan Fiesta held last April 26 to 28 in Manila was hosted by the Manila Broadcasting Company and Star City in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines and cities of Manila and Pasay.