#17 Emily Vicotria Oke of Ilo ilo City (Dinagyang Festival). Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

Morena or olive skinned exquisiteness stood out in this year’s Reyna ng ALIWAN pageant that opened April 11, 2013. Everyone can still catch the Reyna or Queen of each festival and see the best celebrations or fiestas from around the country by watching ALIWAN FIESTA 2013.

They beat their drums underneath the golden sunset of Manila Bay. Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

April 12 is a continuation of pageant competition at Sotto Street and CCP Complex. While April 13 Saturday is the grand coronation night at the Aliw Theater. The grand Parade will also happen in the afternoon, this is where the drummers and dancers show their street dancing skills with their Reyna candidate aloft elaborate floats.

from left: #17 Emily Vicotria Oke of Ilo ilo City (Dinagyang Festival), # 18 Rose Ann Turla of Pasay City (Dayang dayang Festival). Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Candidates may have been inspired by the success of Binibinig Pilipinas 2010 winner Venus Raj who is herself a Morena Beauty. #17 Emily Vicotria Oke of Ilo ilo City (Dinagyang Festival) , #16 Halimatu Yushawu of Bacong Negros Oriental (Bacon Festival), and #11 Fe Mavella Cadungong Tano of Dumaguete City (Sandurot Festival) stood out not just because of their magnetic facial features but also because of their ability to project. Cebu’s #5 Jamie Herrel (Sinulog Festival), also captured the imagination of the crowd by incorporating  the Sinulog’s spinning movements during her walk.

#16 Halimatu Yushawu of Bacong Negros Oriental (Bacon Festival). Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

#5 Jamie Herrel of Cebu city (Sinulog Festival), also captured the imagination of the crowd by incorporating the Sinulog’s spinning movements during her walk. Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

One thing that makes this pageant unique is the strong emphasis on their hometown and festivals. The candidates truly represent the dance, costumes and traditions of their birthplace. There’s also no denying the fact that their physical beauty is at par with the most prestigious beauty pageant such as the Binibining Pilipinas which will have its coronation night this coming April 14 at the SMART ARANETA COLISEUM.

#11 Fe Mavella Cadungong Tano of Dumaguete City (Sandurot Festival). Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

The list of participating festivals is by no means complete; there are quite a few more that have not participated. But a relatively high number among them are from the southern part of the Philippines. Which in my opinion is very good because the Mindanao region is not as promoted as much as the tourist spots in Luzon and Visayas. Iloilo has several fests that participated. General Santos has two and Maguindanao also has several representatives as well as Zamboanga and Cotabato which are all from the Mindanao area.

#3 Gaile Anne Surriga of General Santos City (Kalilangan Festival). Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

The event was organized in cooperation with: MANILA BROADCASTING COMPANY, STAR CITY, CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHIL, NATIONAL PARKS DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE, CITY OF PASAY, CITY OF MANILA, DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM.

Sponsors include: SMART communications, TALK N’TEXT, SMART UNLI social Plan 349, TANDUAY, ALASKA, MY JUIZ, CHEVROLET, CHERRY MOBILE, HANABISHI, COCA COLA, PIONEER ADHESIVE, UNIQUE TOOTHPASTE, PRIDE, M.LHUILLER, sulit.com.ph, MANILA Ocean Park, Phil STAR, Manila Bulletin

Street dancers go down the storied CCP ramp heralding the start of the pageant. Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Participating Festivals include:

Dalaksagaw Festival of Baseco Manila, Dinagsa Festival of Muntinlupa City, Panagbenga Festival of Baguio City, Adivay Festival of Benguet, Mango Festival of Zambales, Ang Tipulo Festival of Antipolo City, Mahaguyog Festival of Sto. Tomas Batangas, Pandang Gitab of Oriental Mindoro, Boling Boling Festival of Catanauan Quezon, Iloilo Dinagyang of Iloilo City, Iloilo Paraw Regatta Festival, Sinulog Festival of Cebu City, Pasaka Festival of Tanauan Leyte, Zamboanga Hermosa Festival of Zamboanga City, Kalivungan Festival of Midsayap North Cotabato, Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City, Padang-padang of Parang Maguindanao, Sagayan Festival of Bululan Maguindanao, Meguyaya Festival of Upi Maguindanao, Dayang dayang Festival of Pasay City, Pintados De Passi of Passi City Iloilo,Langub festival of Mabinay Negros Oriental, Lingganay Festival of Alang-Alang Leyte, Bacon Festival of Bacong Negros Oriental, Sandurot Festival of Dumaguete City, Tuna Festival of General Santos City, Sinulog De Kabankalan of Kabankalan City Negros Occidental, Panimbang sa Tarakuku Festival of Kabuntalan Maguindanao

#17 Emily Vicotria Oke of Ilo ilo City (Dinagyang Festival). Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

Costumes by candidate, descriptions from ALIWAN 2013 script:

#17 Emily Vicotria Oke of Ilo ilo City (Dinagyang Festival)

A warrior and a queen, this work of art symbolizes the strength, versatility, substance and the firm beief of the Ilonnga inone true God. She is a leader, paving the way for her people in the midst of circumstances that have tested them through time. With authentic materials that showcase the craftsmanship inherent to the Illonggos inspired by their pride for their roots and their spiritual journey that has molded them into unity. This warrior Queen represents the ATI tribe, thepeople who have contuosly given color and meaning to the Dinagyang Festival. Striking colors emphasize the boldness and honor that is being a woman, an ATI warrior and queen. (from ALIWAN 2013 script).

#17 Emily Vicotria Oke of Ilo ilo City (Dinagyang Festival). Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

#11 Fe Mavella Cadungong Tano of Dumaguete City (Sandurot Festival). Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

#11 Fe Mavella Cadungong Tano of Dumaguete City (Sandurot Festival).

She wears a Maria Clara inspired mestizo dress that features a combination of indigenous and foreign influences. The main parts of the costume are the baro, saya, tapis or sobrefalda and panuelo. An embroidered lace umbrella and fan serve as embellishments to bring out her grace and beauty. (from ALIWAN 2013 script).

#5 Jamie Herrel of Cebu city (Sinulog Festival), also captured the imagination of the crowd by incorporating the Sinulog’s spinning movements during her walk. Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

#5 Jamie Herrel of Cebu city (Sinulog Festival)

Jamie wears a pre-Spanish colonial inspired costume twist with modern touches. It features an authentic blend of immaculate white, accentuated with gold rattan twigs that symbolize the diverse city of Cebu as the Queen city of the South. (from ALIWAN 2013 script).

#5 Jamie Herrel of Cebu city (Sinulog Festival), also captured the imagination of the crowd by incorporating the Sinulog’s spinning movements during her walk. Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

#6 Nerrisa Lopera Modesto of Tanauan Leyte (Pasaka Festival). Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

#6 Nerrisa Lopera Modesto of Tanauan Leyte (Pasaka Festival).

Following the tradition of neo Filpino designers, DANIEL GUARINO wanted to blend traditional fabric with that of ticog and romblon, buri mats to create a costume worthy of haute couture. The bodice layered leaves is lavishly embroidered with abaca rope, corn skin, coco and wood beads, gold pearls and teardrops. The skirt is made up of Romblon fiber beaded with bariw , coco shell and buri trimmings. To complete the effect are matching necklace, cape and headpiece.

#14 Brenalyn Cuevas of Kabuntalan Maguindanao (Panimbang sa Tarakuku Festival). Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

#14 Brenalyn Cuevas of Kabuntalan Maguindanao (Panimbang sa Tarakuku Festival).

Her costume is called Binandusan nu Turakuko—Binandusan is the oldest textle in Tarakuko, the original name of Kabuntalan town. Which legends say was a young and brave snake. Binandusan is made of smooth and shiny cotton which represents the young beauty of the municipality. It is a combination of inaul or hand woven malong called Madiandi combined with the yllow morodress which represents royalty.  The color combination stands for youth beauty, hope and power. She wears this headdress called Inusipan. The dress features a brass and gold neckline with accessories called Unsita, Tinibekan, Kandit and Patungan. The Original Siniban a gandi are used to symbolize the prosperous lives of Tarakuko.

#19 Shella May Las Piñas Kumarasammy of Mabinay Negros Oriental (Langub Festival). Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

#19 Shella May Las Piñas Kumarasammy of Mabinay Negros Oriental (Langub Festival).

Shella dons a modern tribal inspired costume that depicts and shows the exotic side of a woman.  The intricate emsemble features a midriff top made of earth toned patches, tribal print breastplate with golden and feathered embellishments. As adornment  she wears a waist attached bead fringe, feathere bangles and elaborate golden long dripped fabric headpiece. A tru Pinay modern and emowered, celebrating life, culture norms and tradition of the Langub Festival. (from ALIWAN 2013 script).

#12 Joahnna Carla Luzuriaga Saad of Kabankalan City Negros Occidental (Kabankalan Festival). Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.

#4 Andrea Mae Lim of Catanauan Quezon (Boling-boling Festival) has the CCP façade in the background with the famous Manila sunset. Catch the ALIWAN Fiesta from April 11-13, 2013 at the CCP Complex. Photo by Jude Bautista.