Last Saturday, my brother and I went to check out the Aliwan Fiesta in CCP Complex. Both of us were doing a Filipino photo meme every Thursday (Litratong Pinoy), and the admin invited members for a get together so we could also take pictures from the festival after the meet up.


Brother and I were set to leave, but when we arrived near SM Fairview Mall, the rain fell hard. I sent a text message to our blogging friend, JenL to ask if it was raining where she was. She said it was raining hard as well, so brother and I sort of second-guessed if going to the festival would still be a good decision. Going home was our decision, but we couldn't go home as well because we had to cross the road. We stayed at the convenience store until it was okay for us to cross the road. We received a message from JenL hoping we could still go to the festival. As brother and I left the store, he decided we would go to the festival.

Thankful for the directions JenL sent us, brother and I made it to the Harbor Square, where they were waiting for us. It was my first time to meet Missy and Marian, as well as Buge, who arrived after this group picture was shot. We ate lunch at Dencio's, took some group shots overlooking the marina.

From there, we walked to the CCP Complex where some of the contingents were preparing for the parade. The Aliwan Fiesta is an annual festival where all different festivals in the Philippines were gathered for one big festival. People from as far as Laoag City (Ilocos Norte) to General Santos City (South Cotabato) would come to Manila to showcase a slice of their own festivals.

I still haven't resized all the pictures (I took about 500 images - not all good, though), so these I can share for now:


The street dancers of Karatong Festival in Dulag, Leyte. When I asked them if I could pose with them, they told me we should do a "not looking at the camera" pose. They're so funny.


During the actual parade, we (my brother, JenL, Buge, Ronnie, and I) stayed in the streets, while Lino was near the stage. The stage was where each contingent was introduced and it was also where the street dancers would perform. While waiting for their turn, each contingent would stay in the road while we (the "photographers") would go on a photo frenzy.

These girls were part of the Kalilangan Festival of General Santos City.


The parade started at around 4:30PM, and towards the night time, the rain fell hard. I wasn't able to see the last 7 contingents as Buge and I took shelter in the lobby of Star City. This was my last shot of the parade - a group of people from the Lapay Bantigue Festival in Masbate.


Brother still took pictures even with the rain. At around 9PM, we head back home, but we went back to the Harbor Square to take some pictures of the marina. From there, it was a long walk for us - walking from CCP Complex to the LRT Station in Vito Cruz. I was tired from the long day of walking, dancing, and taking pictures - so I pretty much slept in the bus. We got home around 11:30PM, and it was immediately good night for me.

Tired as I may be, I was happy. I would still watch next year's festivities if given the chance.

*** Jenn ***