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One day, your paths will cross. You will easily recognize him. He seems carrying a light backpack but he is loaded with devices for documenting travel. But beyond these items he carries, he brings with him enthusiasm and interests to get to know more about his surroundings, about the people and about you. He is […]
As early as 12 in the mid noon, I was already striding my way to Aliwan Fiesta in Quirino Grandstand from United Nations Avenue under the scorching heat of the sun. It was almost unbearable. I knew that program kicks off 4 in the afternoon. Yet because I wanted to score the best vantage point […]
Like flowers planted in the middle of the asphalt road, this contingent from Zamboanga showcased their own Hermosa festival through streetdancing in Aliwan Fiesta in 2013. Dubbed as the Festival of all Philippine Festivals, this vibrant event is where the best provinces in the Philippines vie for prestige in three competition categories, the cultural street dance, the float parade, and a beauty contest named as Reyna ng Aliwan. Participants parade their respective prides in the long stretch of Roxas Boulevard starting from Quirino Grandstand and culminating at Aliw Theater, owned by the main organizer Manila Broadcasting Company. For years, the Philippines Grandest Fiesta gives the grand winner in streetdancing PhP 1 Million.
How To Get There
As early as mid-noon, more than a dozen of contingents are already preparing for the competition at the grounds of Quirino Grandstand. You can already feel the vibe as you walk from the U.N. Avenue LRT-1 Station to Rizal Park until you reach the first venue of the program. Since it is also a parade more than a competition, you can witness the shortened street dance performance, the competing floats and the contestants of the beauty contest along the Roxas Blvd in the comfort of your personal space. You can also check in Aliw Theater grounds. However, the first group to perform will only arrive hours after they performed from Quirino Grandstand. The improvised bleachers aren’t enough for a large group of spectators. Also, the grounds in Aliw Theater are not covered compared to the former.
How Did I Get There
It’s a choice between getting a good seat in front of the performance stage of the competing provinces or taking a good photographs of the participants in full costume. Even I wasn’t able to catch a full performance of a group in Quirino Grandstand or outside Aliw Theater, triggering shutter buttons for and with the kids and the students is more enjoyable. Seemingly exhausted, they still have the unbelievable drive to continue and to win the competition. I just wish these kids, who had flewn all the way from Visayas and Mindanao, would still have their time for fun (maybe a visit in Star City nearby) after the competition.
Stunning Images of Sabtang Island is the last of the Because Beautiful Batanes series. We started our journey in San Jose de Ivana seaport. We were instructed last night to be on the dot so we would be at the Sabtang Island earlier than the other travel groups. The number of trips going to Sabtang […]
This is the proof of an ambitious concept of traveling 52 consecutive weekends. It started as a one big dream to make the most out of life out of the office. Without missing any weekend or a repeat of a destination or an event, Project 52 Weekends has covered more than 30 provinces in the Philippines and 6 other countries and territories in Asia. 2013 has been a year of climbing mountains, trekking rivers, dancing in the rain, and meeting new friends and outdoor junkies, a year of an endless summer.
More than I have found myself in this amazing journey, I also have created myself to be the true-blood wandering weekend warrior.
Music by Avicii, “Levels”
Savoring the Best of South Batan is the third installment of Because Beautiful Batanes series. I got a good night sleep. I only got a room ventilated by a fan but the breeze of Batanes makes the night comfortable still. There’s no networking signal in my room so I was totally disconnected to the world […]