Aliwan Festival: The 'mother of all fiestas'

The Aliwan Fiesta (or festival) was held this weekend in Pasay City, Manila, and wow do the Philippine people know how to party! Dubbed as "The Mother of All Fiestas", it's a massive event that brings together cultures from all across the Philippines in the form of a street parade, beauty pageant, and float competition. The ultimate goal is to share the phenomenal diversity and history of the Filipino cultures with not only Filipinos but the rest of the world.

Braving the scorching heat wasn’t easy, but I doubt I would have had much sympathy from the hundreds of performers dressed in heavy costumes, drenched in sweat. The opportunity for photography was fantastic; it was as if we were on a whirlwind tour of the Philippines.

Smiles abound, all groups seemed to enjoy the rivalry -- and rivalry it was. The variety of costumes and cultural displays was staggering. Thousands of people overlaid with a backdrop of rhythmic drums, pulsing dance, and myriad colors created a sense of energy unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

For more pictures of the Aliwan Festival, head on over to Brandon Hoover's blog, The Java Jive.

Brandon Hoover is an American Expat and photographer living in Manila, Philippines. You can visit his blog The Java Jive for more of his photography and experiences.

Read more about Brandon Hoover