Dinagyang to defend Aliwan Fiesta crown

ILOILO CITY, Philippines – Dinagyang Festival, now represented by Tribu Pan-ay of Fort San Pedro National High School, will defend its title as champion of the Aliwan Fiesta 2012 that will be held in Manila on April 14.

Tribu Pan-ay, carrying the honor as Dinagyang Festival champion, will face 20 other festival champions from different regions around the country for the P1-million prize money.

Iloilo City Mayor Jed Patrick Mabilog said the 2012 Aliwan Fiesta, deemed the country’s festival of all festivals, would be a great challenge for the Ilonggos to bring home the grandslam crown. He also urged Ilonggos in Manila to support the delegation during its performances to promote Iloilo to a national audience.

Iloilo City Tourism Officer Ben Jimena added that if Dinagyang becomes Aliwan champion this year, it would make the festival a “double hall-of-famer” (first for the “three-year straight win” and second for the “five-time champion record”) in the history of Aliwan.

This year, reigning festival queens, Charmaine Grace Deatras (Miss Iloilo Dinagyang) and Kimberly Diedrich (Ms. Iloilo Paraw Regatta) will also be competing in the Reyna ng Aliwan pageant.

The Aliwan grand parade of contingents will start 4:00 p.m. at the Quirino Grandstand going to the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex for the ultimate showdown in front of the Aliw Theater on April 14.