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The Center-South Region of Brazil is a geoeconomic area comprising the states of the South and Southeast regions, as well as part of the Central-West. It encompasses the country's most highly developed states, including major urban centers and a diversified economy distinguished by industry, agribusiness, and infrastructure. In addition to its economic importance, the Center-South is also one of Brazil's leading cultural and educational hubs, home to numerous universities and research institutions.

The region is also famous for another, rather unusual reason: it is said to be the favorite destination of extraterrestrials visiting our planet in flying saucers. In 1996, the city of Varginha, in southern Minas Gerais, became the center of worldwide UFO studies following the alleged appearance of an extraterrestrial being, an event that was even the subject of a documentary series broadcast by Rede Globo. In 2022, American filmmaker James Fox released the documentary Moment of Contact, which recounts the incident in detail. The alleged extraterrestrial encounter also brought socioeconomic benefits to the city through a significant increase in tourism. Souvenirs in the form of Grey aliens—small creatures with large heads and hairless gray skin—wearing soccer team uniforms began to be sold throughout the city. Bus shelters and an enormous water tower were built in the shape of spacecraft, while statues of the famous alien can be found throughout the municipality. Varginha City Hall even features an elevator designed to resemble an alien abduction, with a spacecraft at the top and the elevator's movement through the floors symbolizing the ascent toward a UFO. Part of Varginha Airport was also designed in the shape of a spaceship. A few years ago, the ET Memorial was inaugurated, featuring a planetarium, educational film screenings, and exhibits recounting the history of the Varginha UFO case. By January 2026, more than 100,000 people had visited the memorial. Across from it lies Praça José Rezende de Paiva, officially named as such but universally known as "Alien Square."

In the municipality of Mara Rosa, in the state of Goiás, ancient rock carvings have attracted the curiosity of explorers, archaeologists, and geologists. Located on Santo Antônio Farm, these deeply engraved inscriptions depict mysterious and mythical beings, as well as representations of the Moon, planets, and even the position of the Sun. According to speleologists and UFO researchers from the Goiás UFO Research Association (APU), who carried out an expedition to the site, the discovery remains a mystery that science has yet to explain. The figures portray beings with helmet-shaped heads wearing garments resembling astronauts' suits.

Alto Paraíso de Goiás, located in the Chapada dos Veadeiros region and renowned for its more than 120 cataloged waterfalls, is widely regarded as Brazil's "UFO Capital." The Goiás State Legislative Assembly even considered a bill proposing official recognition of this title. Throughout the town, visitors encounter themed inns decorated with extraterrestrial motifs, as well as humorous signs in both Portuguese and English reading: "UFO Parking," "Parking for Aliens Only," "Abduction Area – Parallel 14," "Tour Guides Specialized in UFO Trail Reports," and "Crystal and UFO Book Shops." The region attracts visitors from around the world seeking adventure tourism, ecotourism, or mystical experiences, and has been designated a UNESCO World Natural Heritage Site. In both 2000 and 2012, thousands of people flocked to Alto Paraíso fearing the predicted apocalypse and the end of the world, raising concerns about possible shortages of supplies and prompting authorities to double the number of police officers, patrols, doctors, and firefighters. Land sales increased dramatically, and local inns were completely booked.

Mystical and spiritual tourism has continued to grow throughout the state of Goiás. Another city famous for its waterfalls is the historic town of Pirenópolis. Founded in 1727 under the name Minas de Nossa Senhora do Rosário de Meia Ponte by gold prospectors who discovered gold along the banks of the Rio das Almas, the town flourished during the colonial gold rush. That wealth financed the construction of churches and paved its streets with quartzite stones that remain intact today amid its beautifully preserved colonial architecture. Brazil's National Institute of Historic and Artistic Heritage (IPHAN) has listed the entire architectural complex as a protected national heritage site and has also recognized its traditional Feast of the Divine Holy Spirit as part of Brazil's Intangible Cultural Heritage. Pirenópolis is also famous for being crossed by the 14th Parallel, an imaginary line that is also said to pass through Machu Picchu in Peru. According to local mystics, this parallel marks the location of a portal to another dimension.

Approximately 60 kilometers (37 miles) from Pirenópolis lies Anápolis, the third-largest municipality in Goiás by population and the state's fourth-largest economic center. Its history began in the nineteenth century with the establishment of a parish and later the village of Sant'Anna das Antas. Incorporated as a municipality in 1887, Anápolis eventually developed into an important industrial center, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. The city's name derives from Saint Anne (Sant'Ana), in whose honor Gomes de Sousa Ramos built a chapel in 1871 to fulfill a promise made to his mother, Dona Ana das Dores de Almeida. Thus, Anápolis literally means "City of Ana." The name was proposed by Congressman Abílio Wolney in 1896 to replace Vila de Sant'Anna das Antas, although it was officially adopted only when the village was elevated to city status on July 31, 1907.

It was in this municipality that, on June 20 and 21, the CAFIB – Clube de Aprimoramento do Fila Brasileiro (Brazilian Fila Improvement Club) continued its 2026 World Championship with the 1st CAFIB Fila Brasileiro Show in Anápolis, Goiás.

The event was organized by Felipe Augusto de Oliveira and Ana Caroline Souza , who welcomed the entire team on Friday with a traditional Goiás-style lunch in Pirenópolis.

On Saturday, the Phenotype and Temperament Evaluation was held, during which all eight dogs presented were approved. This was followed by a live performance of Brazilian country music by the duo Cássio & Marlon.

On Sunday, 47 Fila Brasileiros were entered in the conformation show, judged by Elizabete Sayuri Hino (Hisama Kennel, Guarulhos, São Paulo) and Marcus Flávio Vilasboas Moreira (Guardiães do Caracu Kennel, Nova Serrana, Minas Gerais).

The official veterinarian was Pedro Victor de Melo Vaz, while veterinarian Mariana Campbell served as both show secretary and photographer/videographer. During the temperament tests, Haroldo Audrey Rhodson Alves Santos acted as the decoy.

Main Awards

Best Male:
Quilombo Jardim da Lapa, owned by Felipe Augusto de Oliveira (Anápolis, Goiás)

Best Female:
Orquídea Jardim da Lapa, owned by Felipe Augusto de Oliveira (Anápolis, Goiás)

Best Head:
Quilombo Jardim da Lapa, owned by Felipe Augusto de Oliveira (Anápolis, Goiás)

Best Temperament:
Irã Jardim da Lapa, owned by Fernando Durão Duarte Vilela (Linhares, Espírito Santo)

Awards were also presented to sponsors, collaborators, judges, CAFIB itself, and to the exhibitors who traveled the greatest distances to attend the show.

During the opening ceremony, organizer Felipe Augusto de Oliveira prepared texts honoring the various award recipients, which were read by a radio announcer. The following tribute accompanied the presentation of the special award for the exhibitors who had traveled the farthest:

"On the Fila Route"

The Fila Brasileiro has always been present in homes, kennels, and farms throughout the Brazilian countryside. However, it was the expeditions in search of this noble breed—initially carried out by Paulo Santos Cruz—that brought these outstanding dogs to the birthplace of a breeding program that would ultimately result in the first Brazilian breed to receive international recognition.

Continuing that mission of locating and evaluating outstanding specimens, devoted breeders and dedicated technicians carried CAFIB's work to the most remote corners of Brazil.

Thanks to these passionate Fila enthusiasts, who for decades sacrificed the comfort of their homes to work on behalf of the breed while traveling countless miles along Brazil's highways, we now enjoy the privilege of breeding and selecting the pure Fila Brasileiro.

Today, it is the Fila fanciers themselves who undertake true expeditions, crossing the country to present their dogs at CAFIB exhibitions.

In recognition of these remarkable journeys, during the opening ceremony of the exhibition CAFIB presented the "On the Fila Route" Trophy to the three exhibitors who traveled the greatest distances to attend the event.

1st Place:
Fernando Durão Duarte Vilela — Linhares, Espírito Santo — 1,560 km (969 miles)

2nd Place:
Marcos Melo — Governador Valadares, Minas Gerais — 1,060 km (659 miles)

3rd Place:
Leonardo Monteiro — Cordisburgo, Minas Gerais — 765 km (475 miles)

CAFIB extends its sincere thanks to all participants, as well as to the sponsors and supporters of the event:

• Champion Saúde Animal
• Quatree
• Agrícola Liderança
• Sindicato Rural de Anápolis
• Aplik Comercialização Virtual
• Pedro Paulo Associados
• Ana Caroline Souza Advocacia
• AnaTVPlay, a YouTube channel that conducted several interviews during the event.

CAFIB also expresses its gratitude to everyone whose dedication and hard work contributed to the success of this exhibition.

The organization is pleased to announce that the 120th CAFIB National Fila Brasileiro Show and the 1rd CAFIB Fila Brasileiro Show of Perdões will be held on September 13, 2026.

CAFIB looks forward to welcoming breeders, exhibitors, enthusiasts, and admirers of the Fila Brasileiro from across Brazil and abroad for another gathering dedicated to preserving, promoting, and celebrating Brazil's national breed.

The 2026 World Championship continues to reinforce CAFIB's long-standing commitment to preserving the authentic Fila Brasileiro through rigorous selection based on phenotype, temperament, and working ability. Beyond the competition itself, each exhibition serves as an opportunity to strengthen friendships among breeders, exchange knowledge, and honor the history of a breed that has become an important part of Brazil's cultural and rural heritage.

The Anápolis event successfully fulfilled these objectives, bringing together exhibitors from several Brazilian states in an atmosphere of camaraderie, technical excellence, and deep respect for the Fila Brasileiro. It was another memorable chapter in CAFIB's ongoing mission to safeguard the breed's original characteristics for future generations.