Feast of Sto. Nino de Tondo, Shadow of the Sinulog and Ati-atihan Festivals

When it comes to celebrating the Feast of Sto. Nino, we at Tondo, Manila, know very well that we cannot compete with the kind of celebration they have there in Cebu. But despite of that, nothing could actually stop us from celebrating the coming of Sto. Nino to the Filipinos. Subukan nyo, nang makita nyo ang mga Siga ng Tundo! Hahaha!

Happening the same Sunday as Sinulog Festival and Ati-atihan Festival, which is on the third Sunday of January, is Tondo, Manila's Lakbayaw Festival, a festival composed of sing and dance dedicated to Sto. Nino de Tondo. Just like in Cebu, a weekend full of street dancing and chanting of "Viva, Viva Sto. Nino!," the Lakbayaw Festival of Tondo is a mixed of street dancing and solemn procession whereas participating schools in the area dress up and dance to compete on this year Lakbayaw Street Dance Competition.

The Festival is basically new, but it already caught some attention from the country due to its resounding success. I haven't seen any of the Lakbayaw shows yet, but I always make sure that I get to visit the church on the feast day - to give thanks to one who we basically consider as our patron saint - the Sto. Nino.

Aliwan Fiesta 2013 - Festival Floats Winners

Aside from the amazing street dance contingents that filled the cities of Manila and Pasay last weekend as we celebrate the grandest festival of festival, Aliwan Fiesta also blasted more fun, as they host the Aliwan Fiesta 2013 Festival Float Competition.

Aliwan Fiesta will never be complete without these amazing and gigantic mobilizing beauty that represents the region, as well as the contingent, it stand for. And during the Aliwan Fiesta 2013, 14 amazing and captivating floats paraded from Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, Manila City to the Aliw Theater in CCP Complex, Pasay City to share the beauty the our country powerfully possesses.

So, from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, spectators of this bigger and better Aliwan Fiesta mesmerized as they see upfront the colorful and rich culture and heritage that the Philippines has. And during that time, people also saw the beauties vying for the crown of Reyna ng Aliwan 2013.

The Aliwan Fiesta 2012

The festival of all festivals has just been concluded, and with 21 contingents from all over the country competed on this year's Aliwan Fiesta, only one emerged as the grand champion. But before we go into those details, let me share to you first the other stunning and world-class performances that the other participants showcased today.

From Luzon, to Visayas, and down to Mindanao, Aliwan Fiesta 2012 gathered all the best festivals in our country to show to the whole of the Metropolitan Manila, and also to the whole country via the generous coverage of TV5, how our nation is filled with colors, creativity and rich culture.

This is my nth time to see this fiesta, and for the nth time, it never failed to wow me and literally take my breath away with the every amazing contingent that they have here performed. 

On its 10th year anniversary, Aliwan Fiesta just keeps the color flowing and the music getting louder. No wonder, local and international tourists really spend time catching this festivity.

And so, without further here's a glimpse of what happened earlier.