Aliwan Festival 2012

The best dancers from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao came to celebrate cultural diversity in the heart of Manila at Aliwan 2012, a showdown of Philippine festivals, over the weekend.

Now on its 10th year, the Aliwan Festival features a cultural street dance
competition, a parade of floats, and the Reyna ng Aliwan (Queen of Aliwan)
pageant.

The grand parade that traversed Roxas Boulevard from Quirino Grandstand to the Aliw Theater at the CCP Complex saw the best Philippine festivals—composed of dancers and floats from different areas—compete.

Tribu Pan-ay of Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo was adjudged Aliwan Festival's Grand Champion, a grand slam win having won the title for the third straight year. Second place went to Buyogan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte, while the Pintados Kasadyaan Festival of Tacloban City, Leyte won third place.

The Pamulinawen Festival from Laoag City won the best float, with Lingganay Festival from Alang-alang, Leyte placing second and the Sagayan Festival from
Parang, Maguindanao named third.

Feast of the Black Nazarene 2012

It was the longest procession yet in the history of the of the Black Nazarene, started the day around 4 am to fallow devotees in their journey to strengthen their faith. The annual event draws millions of Filipinos to participate in the procession in the predominately catholic country.

One question always linger in my mind  with so many devotees that participate in the procession during the yearly event, does each and everyone really know that essence of what they are doing. Does sacrificing life and limb going through a frenzied crowd to touch the religious icon really bring the miracle that each and every devotee pray for? With a steady number of growing participants yearly, is this a sign that there is a growing number of desperation among the population? One thing that left an impression on my mind was the call of Manila Archbishop Luis Tagle during the early mass which I saw fell onto deft ears at the end of the day.

This year's event lasted for almost 22 hours, leaving the Quirino Grandstand on Monday morning and was able to enter the Quiapo Church at dawn on Tuesday.

fallow link for more images:
http://verafiles.org/2012/01/11/black-nazarene-procession-broken-wheels-and-strong-will/

Journalist from various outfits waited at a vantage point for almost 10 hours for the procession to pass by.

A multimedia presentation here: