In what was generally perceived as a tight match between the Buyogan Festival of Leyte and the Dinagyang Festival of Iloilo, with everybody enthralled by the huge props used in their respective performances, the Buyogan Festival  - grand champion of Aliwan 2009 and Sinulog 2009 (Free Interpretation category) – fell short of reclaiming the grand championship title of the Aliwan Fiesta Festival 2012 and had to settle for 2nd place with the Dinagyang winning the title 3 times in a row.

Lingganay Festival of Alang-alang, Leyte – winner of Leyte’s Pintados Kasadyaan 2011 and Sinulog 2012 – got the third place.

Unlike during the Aliwan 2009 where we got drenched in the rain with the parade lasting till 2 o’clock in the morning the next day, we got sunny weather this time and the parade started much earlier at 1:30 in the afternoon at Quirino Grandstand, and ended at 7PM at Aliwan Theater at CCP Complex.

Now on its 10th year, the Aliwan Fiesta Festival is an annual celebration parade held in Metro-Manila featuring the top winners of the various festivals from all over the country vying for the top prizes – a cool PhP1M for the 1st place, PhP.5M for the 2nd place and PhP250,000 for the 3rd place.

The festival parade started at the Quirino Grandstand then proceeded along Roxas Blvd ending at the Aliw Theater at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Complex.

The Buyogan Festival of Abuyog, Leyte at the Quirino Grandstand:

Abuyog Mayor Octavio Traya, Jr. leads the contingent along Roxas Blvd.

At the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex:

Buyogan Festival officials receive their award at the closing ceremonies:

 

 

Year 2011 was no doubt a year for photo enthusiasts. With an unprecedented growth in sales of DSLR’s and mobile phones, tablets and computers with digital cameras, I doubt if there ever was any other time in mankind’s history when there were just as many people snapping away photos all the time.

Looking back at the year just passed, still nursing a hangover of the holidays, I was struck with the number of subjects I was able to cover – from birding to weddings and beauty tilts to travel destinations; from the time I had a glaucoma attack and subsequent laser procedure down to baby pictures and awesome adventure rides and treks in far-flung areas.

Thus I decided to compile my favorites and share them with you for a brief replay of gerryruiz images of 2011.

I hope you like it. Cheers!

Here’s our photo coverage of the 1st Search for Lawig Festival Queen 2011 held December 02, 2011 on the eve of the town fiesta of Palompon, Leyte.

Festival Queen 2011 Ms. Jyca Therese V. Mancao of MBVMH being crowned by Rep. Lucy Torres-Gomez (4th District Leyte) and Leyte Gov. Jericho “Icot” Petilla

1st Runner-up Ms. Almer Jane B. Damayo of Palompon Institute of Technology

2nd Runner-up Ms. Genibe Pilapil of Palompon Sanguniang Bayan

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The first 2 days of December found us in Palompon, Leyte (again), no, not for another trip to their famed Kalanggaman Island (although, frankly, we would have loved it) nor for another kayaking stint.

This time it was for Palompon’s annual fiesta celebration with the inaugural launch of the municipality’s 1st Lawig Festival 2011 in honor of their patron saint, St. Francisco Javier.

The Lawig Festival name takes its foundation from the Bisayan word, “Lawig” – meaning, “to sail on” – which its founders and organizers envision to crystalize the Palomponganon’s relentless optimism, courage and fighting spirit in facing life’s challenges and opportunities for growth.

Organized and spearheaded by the Local Government Unit of Palompon, the 1st Lawig Festival was held December 02, 2011 and saw the participation of 12 colorful contingents, all from within its municipal jurisdiction.

Dancing to the tribal beat of their respective drum and bugle corps, the festival streetdancing parade promptly started at 7:00AM and snaked its way around town ending up at the wharf area where the final showdown competition was held.

Adjudged winners were:

Champion: Taberna National High School

2nd Place: Palompon Institute of Technology

3rd Place: LGU Palompon Contingent

Congratulations to everyone for the successful holding of the 1st Lawig Festival!

Above, 3rd placer LGU Lawig contingent

2nd Place: Palompon Institute of Technology

The Champions – Taberna National High School

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