Panagabenga 2023 had an amazing First Week, back after the Pandemic.
Here are the highlights from the opening week of the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City!
For those of you who don’t know, the Panagbenga Festival is an annual flower festival held in Baguio City to celebrate the city’s rich cultural heritage and stunning blooms. And this year’s opening day was nothing short of amazing!
The festival kicked off February 1 with a colorful and Grand Opening parade, featuring participants from all over the city decked-out in their traditional costumes. The energy and excitement was contagious as the parade made its way through the streets, with people of all ages cheering along.
The parade was made even more spectacular by the participation of several groups, including the Philippine Military Academy Marching Band leading the way. The band set the tone for the rest of the parade, with their regal marching and impressive music setting the pace for the rest of the participants.
The parade was also graced by the presence of local government officials, including Mayor Benjie Magalong, Vice Mayor Faustino Olowan, and Representative Mark Go, who joined the festivities and showed their support for the festival. The officials were accompanied by the leadership of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Incorporated, lead by Anthony R. De Leon and Former Mayor Mauricio Domogan
The parade also included Civic groups and barangay officials representing the different communities of Baguio City. The barangay officials’ participation was a reminder that the Panagbenga Festival is a celebration of belonging. Their marching in the parade was a symbol of the local’s commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and celebrating its vibrant community and it was a testament to the importance of the Panagbenga Festival to the city and its people.
Another highlight was the Saint Louis University high school and college Marching Band, who performed the official Panagbenga song. The band, dressed in their brightly-colored tie dyed shirts, brought a sense of energy. The crowd was moved by the band’s passionate performance, and the cheerful rhythm of the music lifted the spirits of everyone in attendance. The Saint Louis University College and High School Marching Band was a true representation of the city’s vibrant young talent, and their performance added a touch of excitement and energy to the festival. Their interpretation of the Panagbenga song was a beautiful tribute to the city and its cultural heritage, and a true celebration of the spirit of the festival.
The parade was further enhanced by the participation of 8 cultural groups, who performed traditional Igorot dances. The groups were dressed in their traditional attire, complete with intricate beadwork and weaved textiles and they brought a sense of cultural pride and tradition to the parade. We were amazed at how they could be dancing on the streets for about 3 kilometers barefooted. That I think in itself is amazing.
Four competing elementary school groups in the Drum and Lyre contest also performed. The talented young musicians, dressed in flower motifs, entertained the crowd with their dynamic dancing, drumming and brass playing skills. The audience was captivated by their energy and skill, and the parade was elevated to a new level with their electrifying performances. After the parade, the groups continued to showcase their talent in Burnham Park, where they performed for the gathered crowd. It was a beautiful display of young talent and a reminder of the importance of preserving and celebrating cultural heritage to the younger generation.
The parade was brought to a memorable conclusion by the passage of the Baguio City Pony Boys group. This local group whose horses you can ride at the local stables were dressed in their “cowboy influenced” riding attire, rode their horses through the parade route, showcasing their animals and their impressive horseback riding skills.
But the highlights of the day weren’t limited to just the parade – there were also live musical performances, we even caught the Mayor dancing to a the local Igorot favorite – the Soyosoy di Dagem.
food stalls selling delicious local cuisine, and craft stalls selling unique, handmade items.
As part of the festival, there was also a highly-anticipated landscape contest featuring 18 contestants who were tasked with creating stunning yard landscapes that showcase their creativity and talent. The competition entitled “PanagabengaScapes” is fierce with the displays available for anyone to see for free at the Melvin Jones Football Grounds until March 5th. The winners will be announced during the closing ceremonies before we have the fireworks display.
The festival also included a lively “Baguio Blooms -a Market Encounter:” where local vendors set up stalls selling a variety of wares and food. From handcrafted jewelry and accessories, to locally grown produce and traditional crafts, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The food stalls are a particular highlight, offering a delicious taste of the local cuisine and a sprinkling of international delights.There is something to suit every taste and appetite. We think this is a must-visit for anyone attending the festival.
Included in the events is the closure of Session Road on Sundays as buskers, mascots, cosplayers and vendors take over the road from vehicles. Although this is now a year round event, it is particularly busy this Sunday as more tourists flock because of the celebrations.
All in all, the opening week of the Panagbenga Festival was an unforgettable experience, and we can’t wait to see what else this year’s festival has in store.
We are looking forward to activities like the Fluvial Parade, Mardi Gras, which is new this year, a Kite Flying competition, Pony Boy’s Day , art and flower arrangement contests. We are of course excited for the Grand Street Dance Parade on the 25th of February which has 3 times more lively particilpants as we expect the High School and Open categories of the street dancing and marching bands. The 26th of February is of course the Climax as we will have the Grand Float Parade go down Session Road. Something that we have been waiting for for the past 3 years! Watch our schedule of activities video to see what else is in store.
