ILOILO CITY -- The champion tribe of Guimaras’ Manggahan Festival is eyeing the crown in this year’s street dance parade competition for the Aliwan Fiesta in Pasay City.
In an interview Monday, Liberty Ferrer, provincial tourism officer of Guimaras, said Hubon Guimarasnon from the town of San Lorenzo, Guimaras, was adjudged champion during the 2019 Fiesta Filipinas Kasadyahan Regional Cultural Competition of the Dinagyang Festival.
The province has allocated some PHP7.2 million for the 420-contingent from Guimaras, including support staff.
Last year, Manggahan Festival won as first runner-up, even beating the Dinagyang contingent.
The Dinagyang troop will not be joining the Aliwan Fiesta tilt this year but instead the Iloilo Dinagyang Foundation Inc., (IDFI) opted to hold a Philippine tour.
Dinagyang won as Aliwan grand champion in 2004, 2011, 2012, 2013 and Hall of Fame in 2014.
“We have been first runner-up for two consecutive years. Our end-goal is to return to Western Visayas the championship trophy,” she said.
Apart from the crown and the PHP1 million prize for the champion, Ferrer said the province’s gain by joining the celebration would be to “introduce the province to the whole world” and its Manggahan Festival whose highlights will be held in May.
“This is both cultural and promotional tourism, so at the same time we can also encourage investments for those who are interested in investing in the small island of Guimaras,” she said.
The participation to the Aliwan will also be a big pride for Guimarasnons, because “they have gone far to become one of the national groups for the cultural dances genre”.
“This will also pave the way for other countries to invite us because they see us perform,” she added.
This year’s street dance parade will be participated in by 14 other festivals from various parts of the country. It will be held April 28 in Pasay City. (PNA)
