by:Jeigh-em Decenilla
Aliwan Fiesta 2009 is an annual gathering of the biggest, loudest and most colourful festivals in the Philippines. It features competitions in Festival Streetdance, Float Design, and Festival Queen or Reyna ng Aliwan. This year’s Aliwan was held last April 23-25, 2009, which culminated in a grand parade that kicked off in front of the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex and winds up at Quirino Grandstand.
The MSU-CETD (Mindanao State University-College of Education Training Department) Performing Arts Guild represented General Santos City’s Kalilangan Festival in the streetdancing competition of this year’s Aliwan Fiesta. The group was led by all-time choreography champion, Mr. George Kimboy. The streetdance featured the B’laans which inhabits the southern part of Sarangani, South Cotabato and General Santos City. The storyline of the dance depicts the natives who celebrate with a Kalilang, using unique traditions that have withstood time. In this showcase, the B’laans portray the Almugan bird’s cry as a good omen for the planting and harvest seasons. They depict the men’s bamboo pakupak, in rhythmic synergy with the women’s sloong and bukag. Offerings called Butne are given to the Adwata for help against pestilence. At harvest time, the natives gather for the Mimodoman in thanksgiving. The dance also depicts a B’laan wedding which uses t’nalak décor and the traditional S’long Kinibang hat among others. The whole presentation focused on B’laan merrymaking called Mimo-Kaflahaw.
Eventhough it rained during the competition, the MSU-CETD Performing Arts Guild still did their best and made it to the finalist wherein they won Php50,000. The group also got the perks of two nights “free-all-rides” at Star City and a trip sponsored by Makati Mayor Jejomar Binay at Tagaytay. The group really enjoyed the whole time in Aiwan Fiesta and indeed they’re proud to say “Basta galing GenSan, galing GenSan!”
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