Aliwan Fiesta is often called the Philippines’ “festival of champions”: every April, winning contingents from the country’s biggest festivals — Sinulog, Dinagyang, Panagbenga and more — converge in Manila for one grand street dance competition, a float parade, and the Reyna ng Aliwan pageant, held around the CCP Complex and Aliw Theater grounds in Pasay.
The photographs here are from Aliwan Fiesta 2010. It remains the easiest way to see the Philippines’ regional festivals in a single weekend without leaving Metro Manila — the costumes, props and choreography are the same ones that won at home.
For a single-festival deep dive, see our MassKara Festival 2026 schedule and travel guide.
