FLORES DE MAYO - BEHIND THE SCENES

The excited sagalas and konsortes getting last minute instructions before the show.







Another look at the beautifully designed gowns and ternos.

FLORES DE MAYO FASHION

May 4, 2008, Rajah Sulayman Park, Roxas Boulevard. The Congregacion del Santisimo Nombre del Niño Jesus on its 29th year mounted its version of the Flores de Mayo with 31 designs by some of the leading designers in the country.

A procession in Roxas Boulevard followed the presentation with a dinner and an awarding ceremony hosted by Boots Anson-Roa and Leo Martinez at Intramuros' Punta Real Gardens.
































"Rosa Mystica" by guest designer, Aureo Alonzo, escorted by Polo Ravales.

ALIWAN BEAUTIES ON PARADE

After the heavy downpour, the show must go on.

ALIWAN FIESTA 2008 PERFORMERS

The excited Aliwan Fiesta perferomers in their colorful costumes.

ALIWAN FIESTA 2008 GRAND PARADE FLOATS

To celebrate Filipino craftsmanship and ingenuity, the Aliwan Fiesta has a float competition that features local folklore and indigenous traditions from various regions all over the country.

Float designs will make use of local textiles, decorative mats, and basketry in vibrant colors, all bearing distinct regional imprints of master weavers. Agricultural produce and flowers will also be used as accessories and raw material for the floats.

Laoag’s Pamulinawen Festival Float



__ Festival Float


Mamasapano, Maguindanao's Kalilintad Festival Float


Sultan Kudarat's Kang’Gelal Festival Float



Isabela’s Gakit Festival Float



Shariff Aguak, Maguindanao's Kalilangan Festival Float


Cotabato's Shariff Kabunsuan Festival Float


Cebu's Sinulog Festival Float



__ Festival Float


Leyte's Alikaraw Festival Float



Iloilo's Dinagyang Festival Float


__ Festival Float


Baguio City's Panagbenga Festival Float


Mountain Province's Lang-ay Festival Float


Parang, Sariff Kabunsuan's Pakalagyan Festival Float


Lamitan's Lami-Lamihan Festival Float


__ Festival Float


Leganes, Iloilo's Sa-ad Festival Float

REYNA NG ALIWAN: EVENING GOWN

The candidates in their lovely, elegant evening gowns.

REYNA NG ALIWAN: TALENT SHOW

Singing, dancing, story telling and even a magic show. The ladies show off their talents in this part of the pageant.

REYNA NG ALIWAN: SWIMSUIT COMPETITION

No doubt the most awaited portion of the pageant, this was the hardest for me to shoot. Aside from the moving subject and camera shake dilemma, I had to deal with the crowding audience who all of the sudden brought out their camera phones and digicams and started bumping into each other.

Here are the 24 young beautiful ladies parading in their sexy swimsuits. Enjoy!!

REYNA NG ALIWAN: COSTUMES

The 2nd day of the Aliwan Fiesta featured the Reyna ng Aliwan pageant. Lovely young ladies from various regions of the country vie for the title of Reyna ng Aliwan 2008. The first part of the pageant shows the ladies in costumes representing their respective regions.

ALIWAN FIESTA 2008

The festive month of May kicks off the celebrations with the 3-day Aliwan Fiesta.

May 1: Pasakalye 2008 - a campus dance showdown between high school and collegiate groups.

May 2: Reyna ng Aliwan 2008 - lovely ladies from various regions vie for the tiele of festival queen.

May 3: Grand Parade showcasing 24 festival floats beginning at the Quirino Grandstand up to the CCP complex and a Street Dance Competition.

Shots of the performers rehearsing for the street dance competition on May 3.











Adding to the celebration later that night were live performances by bands such as 6 Cycle Mind, Shamrock and Calla Lily.