Aliwan Fiesta, an annual event celebrating the numerous vibrant cultural festivals in the Philippines, has returned for its 21st year with its fun festivities, highlighting our country’s rich and diverse cultures.
Today, one of the main highlights of the festival is the highly anticipated Reyna ng Aliwan pageant, which will feature 20 lovely beauty queens representing the various cultural festivals in the country and competing for the title of the Aliwan Fiesta 2024 Festival Queen.
Those who will be vying for the crown this year are Kristine Dineros (Makati City – Caracol Festival), Zarina Mayor Ayub (Iba, Zambales – Dinamulag Mango Festival), Prima Joy Narag Alamban (Malabon City – Tambobong Festival), Arrabelle Mangahas (Malolos, Bulacan – Fiesta Republica), Resalina Toledo (Pasay City – Dayang Dayang Festival), Raeley Jane Vilaray (Nueva Vizcaya – Grand Ammungan Festival), Ameera Sulaiman Said D. Almamari (Atimonan, Quezon Province – Tagultol Fishing Festival), Michele Angela Okol (Manila City – Lakbayaw Festival), Mia Loureen Tamayo (Cebu Province – Pasigarbo sa Sugbo Festival), and Maria Sophia P. Reyes (Guiguinto, Bulacan – Halamanan Festival).
Also contending for the crown are Nicole Grencio (Parañaque City – Sunduan Festival), Kate Winslet Villa (Ilocos Norte – Tan-Ok Ni Ilocano Festival), Rizty Espleguira (Antipolo City – Antipolo Maytime Festival), Mariel Bogert (Cebu City – Sinulog Festival), April Joy Tañafranca (Lucena, Quezon Province – Pasayahan Festival), Michaela Reen Egay (Polomolok, South Cotabato – F’lomlok Festival), Juliana Louise H. Martinez (Pagbilao, Quezon Province – Niyogyugan Festival), Suyhen Luxnie Del Rosario (Taytay, Rizal – Hamaka Festival), Prianka Elina Laurena Goswami (San Juan, La Union – Ayat Festival), and Angel Jed Zaragoza Latorre (Iloilo City – Dinagyang Festival).
During the press conference for the prestigious event, it was announced that the pageant will be held at the Aliw Theater. The 20 candidates will be showcasing their beauty and wit through various competitions brandishing their festival gowns, swimsuits, and evening gowns, with the latter including a Q&A portion.
Apart from the Reyna ng Aliwan pageant, the Aliwan Fiesta will have a float parade competition on June 29 where 8 teams are set to compete. These teams are the Bahay Pangisdaan from Muntinlupa City, Halamanan Festival from Guiguinto, Bulacan, Republica Filipina – Fiesta Republica from Malolos, Bulacan, Panagkakadua-an Festival from San Felipe, Zambales, Ilwan a Inaul sa Kutawato from Cotabato, Guinakit from Cotabato, Adat Betad sa Maguiranun from Mother Kabuntalan, Maguindanao del Norte, and Lamin o Bidadari from Northern Kabuntalan, Maguindanao del Norte.
the province’s colorful Tagultol Fishing Festival
The third day of the festival will also hold the much-awaited street dance championships, which will be joined by various groups such as the Lakbayaw Festival from Manila, Panagbenga Flower Festival from Baguio, Bodong Festival from Rizal, Kalinga, Halamanan Festival from Guiguinto, Bulacan, Dinamulag Mango Festival from Iba, Zambales, Panagkakadua-an Festival from San Felipe, Zambales, Antipolo Maytime Festival from Antipolo, Hamaka Festival from Taytay, Rizal, Niyogyugan Festival from Pagbilao, Quezon, Kaogma Festival from Baao, Camarines Sur, Casagwa Festival from Daraga, Albay, Dinagyang Festival from Iloilo, Tultugan Festival from Iloilo, Sinulog Festival from Cebu, and Meguyaya Festival from Upi, Maguindanao del Norte.
There will also be a photography competition on the final day and the Aliwan Fiesta Awarding ceremony, which rapper Tom Taus and Rocksteady will grace.
The Aliwan Fiesta 2024 runs at the CCP Complex in Pasay City until June 29.