Dinagyang, captured the championship in the festival street dance competition of the recently concluded 2017 Aliwan Fiesta.
Tribu Salognon comprised of students from Jaro National High School, bested contingents from various regions of the Philippines including neophyte entry Manggahan festival of Guimaras, which placed second, and two-time champion Tribu Katbalaugan for the Manaragat festival of Catbalogan City, which settled for third place. The Antipolo Maytime festival, essayed by the Maharlika Dance Troupe of San Jose National High School, took fourth, while the Meguyaya festival of Upi, Maguindanao, represented by students of Nangi National High School, came in fifth.
Runner-up honors went to the Inaul festival of Datu Piang, Maguindanao; the Timpuyog festival of Kiamba, Sarangani; the Cinco de Noviembre festival of Bago City, Negros Occidental; Balitok ti Alicia festival of Isabela; and the Panagbenga flower festival of Baguio, which was also awarded for Best Folkloric Performance. Iloilo Dinagyang also took home special awards for Best Costume and Best Music.
In the float design competition, Tacloban City won the top plum for its rendering of the Santa Cruz de Mayo float, with the Kapaginaul of Datu Piang coming in second, and Al Cinco de Noviembre copping third place.
In the Search for Reyna ng Aliwan, 2017 Sinulog Festival Queen Marla Alforque retained the crown for Cebu, besting 19 other lovely candidates including first runner-up Apriel Smith, 2012 Sinulog Queen, who represented the Utanon festival of Dalaguete. Sharing second runner-up honors were Arielle Jazmine Roque for the Tuna festival of General Santos City, Ma. Ahtisa Manalo for the Niyogyugan festival of Quezon Province, and Venisse Charm Costibolo for the Sangyaw festival of Tacloban.
Manalo likewise took home the awards for Most Photogenic and Miss Unique Smile, while Smith was named Best in Swimsuit and Best in Evening Gown. Patricia Kate Gonzales of the Antipolo Maytime festival won Best in Festival Costume, while Cherry Rose Fernandez of Baguio City’s Panagbenga festival, was selected by her fellow candidates as Miss Friendship.
In the Tugtog ng Aliwan Rhythm Competition, the Meguyaya festival musicians emerged champions, followed by the Inaul festival in second, and Iloilo Dinagyang in third place.