Reyna ng Aliwan 2016 Cynthia Thomalla. (Posted by Aliwan Fiesta’s Facebook Page)
CEBU’s Sinulog contingent swept through this year’s Aliwan Festival held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in Pasay City Saturday.
Sinulog Festival Queen Cynthia Thomalla won the Reyna ng Aliwan crown as well as Best in Festival Costume, Best in Evening Gown, Best in Swimsuit and Miss Photogenic.
Thomalla’s win marked the seventh time that Cebu’s bets won the Reyna ng Aliwan award since they first joined in 2009, said Sinulog Foundation Inc. Executive Director Ricky Ballesteros.
Cebu’s bets won from 2009 to 2014 while last year’s candidate landed second runner up.
In the float category, the underwater themed float of International Pharmaceuticals (IPI) bagged the top prize at the Aliwan, a first for Cebu.
IPI also won the best float in this year’s Sinulog. Cebu did not send an entry to the Aliwan’s street dancing competition while Tribu Katbalaugan of Catbalogan City, Samar province bagged the top prize. Catbalogan City won second prize in the free interpretation category of this year’s Sinulog Festival.
“This is the first time that we swept the Aliwan and we’re happy,” Ballesteros said.