We are only few days away from the Philippines’ Grandest Festival. As we approach the most anticipated event of the month, Aliwan Fiesta puts a spotlight on the ravishing charm of this year’s Reyna ng Aliwan Candidates.

Bringing together the best of the best, Aliwan Fiesta takes pride to announce the 18 candidates for this year’s Reyna ng Aliwan!

Candidate number 1 is Erika Maie Sawma. Erika represents the Antipolo Maytime Festival. She is 22 years old, stands 5 ft 4 inches tall and weighs 55 kilograms. A Dean’s Lister at Miriam College, she heads the Circadian Rhythm and is a dancer for Company of One. She is also into painting, modelling, and hiking.

Candidate number 2 is Deniece Allen Ayon of Baguio City for the Panagbenga Festival. Deng is 20 years old, stands 5 ft 5 inches tall and weighs 43 kilograms. A student at the University of the Cordilleras, she likes cooking, hiking and ballet.

Candidate number 3 is Doreen Pagcu Ahuja for the Dayang Dayang festival of Pasay City. Doreen is 17 years old, stands 5 feet 8 inches tall and weighs 55 kilograms. A senior high school student, she is into cslligraphy and likes playing the ukelele.

Candidate number 4 is Kiara Liane Wellington, of Talisay Cebu. Kiara is the reigning Sinulog festival queen. She is 21 years old, stands 5 ft 5 inches tall and weighs 51 kilograms. A student at the University of San Jose Recoletos, she is into painting and arnis.

Candidate number 5 is Niña Athena Ariza for the Sangyaw festival of Tacloban City. Tintin is 22 years old, stands 5 ft 6 inches tall and weighs 51 kilograms. A 4th year Medical Laboratory student, she likes reading and engaging in charitable causes. Tintin has been tasked to promote Tacloban’s eco-tourism initiatives.

Candidate number 6 is Mariela Bianca Acob for the Tan-ok ni Ilokano festival of Ilcoos Norte. Bianca is 22 years old, stands 5 ft 6 inches tall and weighs 50 kilograms. A graduate of the University of Northern Philippines, she is currently a teacher of English as a Second Language.

Candidate number 7 is Melanie Grace Gillamac for the Palawod festival of Bantayan Island, Cebu. Mel is 22 years old, stands 5 ft 7 inches tall and weighs 53 kilograms. A Biology major at Velez College, she plays badminton, volleyball, and table tennis, and is a commercial and runway model.

Candidate number 8 is Mary Ann de la Cruz of Guiguinto, Bulacan, representing the Halamanan festival. Mary Ann is 20 years old, stands 5 ft 7 inches tall and weighs 53 kilograms. A tourism major of STI Balagtas, she loves singing, dancing, and playing badminton.

Candidate number 10 is Raisah Kabugatan, who hails from Taguig. Raisah is 19 years old stands 5 ft 8 inches tall and weighs 50 kilograms. A Tourism Management student of STI, she loves cycling and is on the student council of their tourism organization.

Candidate number 11 is Kisha Honey Panis of Tacloban City, representing the Pintados festival of Eastern Visayas. Kisha is 19 years old, stands 5 ft 9inches tall and weighs 130 pounds. She is into agricultural farming and loves taking care of animals. Kisha is also a brand ambassador for a beauty studio in her hometown.

Candidate number 12 is Ashley Misaki Francisco. Ash is 17 years old, stands 5 ft 9 inches tall and weighs 63 kilograms. A resident of Taytay, she is here to represent the Hamaka festival. A mutli-awarded cosplayer since she was in gradeschool, she has since gone into gaming, dancing, and modelling.

Candidate number 13 is Kristine Billy Tabaday, representing the Ayat Festival of the province of La Union. Billy is 24 years old, stands 5 ft 6-1/2 inches tall and weights 52 kilograms. Currently working as an administrative assistant and marketing representative for East West Bank, she is an ambassador for the Philippine National Red Cross La Union chapter.

Candidate number 14 is Natalya Margaret Lindsay for the Tagultol Fishing Festival of Atimonan, Quezon. She is 23 years old, stands 5 ft 7 inches tall and weighs 54 kilograms. Nat has reigned as Quezon Province’s Bb Niyogyugan since 2019. She counts singing, sewing, and crochet among her hobbies, and is a member of the Atimonan Vocal Ensemble.

Candidate number 15 is Shane Pia, representing the Himaya-an festival of Himamaylan, Negros Occidental. Shane is 25 years old, stands 5 ft 6 inches tall and weighs 52 kilograms. She is one of the top sales associates of East West Bank, and likes travelling and creative writing.

Candidate number 16 is Polyanna Martina Manalo. Yanna represents the Anihan sa Ambling Festival of Magdalena, Laguna. She is 22 years old, stands 5 ft 6 inches tall and weighs 53 kilograms. A Psychology major, she is a student council member, who loves watching KDramas and anime films.

Candidate number 17 is Gheneza Marie Mueller for the Udyakan festival of Kabankalan, Negros Occidental. Nesa is 24 years old, stands 5 ft 4 inches tall and weighs 51 kilograms. An accounting technology graduate of Southland College, she is into reading and photography.

Candidate number 19 is Patricia Marie Mendiola for the Pasayahan festival of Lucena City. Pat is 21 years old, stands 5 ft 6 inches tall and weighs 52 kilograms. A member of the Junior Marketing Association, she loves watching movies on Netflix and is into badminton and dancesport.

Candidate number 20 is Jazminum Marciano for the Kangga festival of Mogpog, Marinduque. Jaja is 19 rears old, stands 5 ft 3 inches tall and weighs 50 kilograms. Currently a Computer Engineering major, she loves to dance.

These dazzling queens will take the grand stage to compete for the title of Reyna ng Aliwan as they represent their region’s cultural diversity with glamour and pride.

Get to know more about these women on July 14, 7 PM, at the CCP Grounds. Their journey to the crown will continue the following day during the Grand Parade.

Join us as we crown this year’s Reyna ng Aliwan on July 15, 2023, during the Awarding Ceremonies!