Tribu Parianon, comprised mostly of dancers from Molo, Iloilo and choreographed by Ramil Cencia Huyatid, captured the 2023 Aliwan Fiesta Championship on behalf of the Dinagyang Festival.
It was the Ilonggos’ eighth win, including the 2005 victory by Pintados de Passi, in the grand national showdown of what is considered the Philippines’ festival of champions.
Lumad Basakanon of Cebu’s Sinulog, touted as the only Hall of Famer in Aliwan Fiesta history for having earned a three-peat from 2006 to 2008, came in second, with Hubon Balsahan of Guimaras’ Manggahan Festival emerging third.
Dancers of Bgy. Sata Cruz in Guiguinto, Bulacan, prevented a near shut out by contingents from the Visayas by capturing fourth place for the Halamanan Festival, with Panaad champion Kadalag-an Festival of Victorias, Negros Occidental taking fifth.
In the float competition, Guiguinto’s Halamanan emerged victorious, followed by Sipa sa Manggis of Cotabato City, and the Lapat Festival float of Calanasan, Apayao.
The Reyna ng Aliwan pageant was just as tightly contested, with Sinulog’s Kiara Liane Wellington capturing the crown anew for Cebu. La Union’s Ayat Festival queen Kristine Billy Tabaday was declared first runner-up, with Natalya Margaret Lindsay of Atimonan, Quezon’s Tagultol Fishing Festival sharing second-runner-up honors with Patricia Marie Menidola of Lucena’s Pasiyahan Festival and Ghenesa Mueller who represented the Udyakan Festival of Kabanakalan, Negros Occidental.
The 2023 Aliwan Fiesta was mounted by Manila Broadcasting Company and Star City, in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and the cities of Pasay and Manila.
