Panagbenga Festival: A Tribute To The Flowers

It is always so refreshing to experience the beauty and grandeur of nature. More so if you are unwinding in a place that has a cool and inviting climate such as Baguio City, the Flower Capital of the Philippines.

The Grand Float Parade at Session Road has always been one of the highlights in the series of events happening in Baguio every month of February. Panagbenga, which means “season of blooming,” fits its name well; not only because it showcases the variety of flowers that the city produces, but also how the people rose up from the devastating 7.8 magnitude Luzon earthquake of 1990. It’s Iike Picpican, who was a known curator and archivist, who suggested the name of the flower festival Panagbenga. The entirety of festivities involves street dances (with each dancer wearing colorful flower-designed costumes), flower exhibits, and flower-inspired floats.

This year’s Panagbenga Festival was made more memorable by the special participation of several known artists, basketball players, and other personalities. Here are some of the floats that literally took the celebration by storm:

• A colorful entrance in traditional costume with the Panagbenga Festival name highlighted.

• Cinderella Inspired Float

• Shoe Mart Float – Prince and Princess Inspired.

• Pokemon Pikachus Invade Panagbenga Festival.

• A Love To Last Stars Enchong Dee and Bea Alonzo sponsored by ABS-CBN.

• Ms. International 2016 Kylie Verzosa in Tropicana sponsored Float

• YouTube Sensation Carrotman

• Kapuso Stars Alden Richards and Maine Mendoza in their GMA sponsored float.

This year’s Panagbenga Festival runs from February 1 to March 5, 2017. Although the highlight of the festivities are the colorful floats, there are also various activities to enjoy around the city. There are the Baguio Blooms Expo and Exhibition located at Juan Luna and Lake Drive; School-Based Competitions to be held at the Baguio City Multi-purpose Hall for Elementary and Secondary Schools; The Handog ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya Baguio event at the Melvin Jones Grandstand and Football Grounds; The Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming; enjoy a round of Flower Tee Open Golf Tournament only at the Baguio Country Club; the Awarding and Closing Ceremonies back at the Melvin Jones Grandstand and Football Grounds; and the Grand Fireworks Display finale.

Your stay in Baguio will not be completed without going around the neighboring gift shops to buy memorabilia shirts, tokens necklaces, and trinkets. One thing is for sure; you can just leave all your worries behind in the bustling cities of Metro Manila and immerse yourself in probably the grandest, fun-filled adventure of your life. Indeed, you will surely enjoy the cool and peaceful natural environment which only Baguio can bring.

Re-discover Baguio City at its finest during the Pangbenga Festival. Don’t forget to maximize your stay in the City of Pines and go horseback-riding at Mines View Park and Wright Park, indulge your sweet tooth by Strawberry Picking in Benguet, or visit the Tam-awan Village and the Philippine Military Academy. Whatever you do and wherever you go, you can’t go wrong in Baguio City. Enjoy!