To me, the street dancers are the star of the show. The effort they have put into all their performances--at the Quirino Grandstand, Rajah Sulayman, and Aliw Theater is just beyond belief! Their stamina amid the heat of the summer sun while keeping that captivating smile on their faces is just admirable and commendable!

I chatted with one of the Kalivungan dancers in their downtime along the Roxas Boulevard, and she said "Kailangan daw po nonstop. Yun po ang rule." [We need to perform non-stop. That is the rule."

I am only one of those photographers who followed them to Rajah Sulayman to perform before a panel of Judges, but I already felt tired walking from Quirino Grandstand to Rajah Sulayman Park. I could just imagine the physical fatigue among the dancers. But despite all these, they gave it all--they gave it all to showcase their culture and tradition. I did not see them merely motivated by the P1 million at stake. I felt it within them while they are performing--they are just so proud of who they are and where they come from.

May this simple post be my humble tribute to all the street dance performers! You made us proud to be Filipinos, once more.

In the meantime, here are the winners of the Street Dance Competition:

Runners-up: (Prize: P50,000 each)

Salakayan Festival of Miag-ao, Iloilo


Pananggitab Festival of Oriental Mindoro


Zamboanga Hermosa of Zamboanga City


Kalivungan Festival of Alamada Cotabato


Mamang-os at Kambingan Festival of Tuy, Batangas


5th Prize - Lembuhong Festival of Surrallah, South Cotabato (Prize: P100,000)


4th Prize - T'nalak Festival of South Cotabato (Prize: P150,000)


3rd Prize - Pintados Kasadyaan of Alang-alang Leyte (Prize: P250,000)


2nd prize - Buyogan Festival of Buyogan, Leyte (Prize: P500,000)


and of course, the grand winner winning P1 million in cash

Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo City



For more photos, please visit Aliwan Fiesta 2012 | Street Dance in Flickr.