Panagbenga Festival 2023 Grand Float and Dancing Parades. What to Expect.

As the year 2023 unfolds, one of the most highly anticipated events in the Philippines is the Panagbenga Festival. Known as the Baguio Flower Festival, this annual celebration is held in Baguio City, the country’s summer capital. The festival features a Grand Float parade and a Grand Street Dance parade, showcasing the creativity and cultural diversity of the people of Baguio.

This year’s Panagbenga Festival promises to be a spectacular event, as organizers and participants prepare to outdo themselves from previous years. Specially that the parades have been suspended during the Pandemic. Here are some of the things we can expect from the grand float parade and grand street dance parade:

Grand Float Parade

The Grand Float parade is the main highlight of the Panagbenga Festival. It will be held on February 26, Sunday starting at 8 in the morning. This year’s parade will feature 24 floats adorned with vibrant flowers and other decorative elements. Each float represents a different theme, with some showcasing local folklore and traditions, while others are inspired by popular culture.

Here is the list of Participants: 

Lead Floats:

• 1. CITY GOVERNMENT OF BAGUIO (LEAD FLOAT)
• 2. DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM (NON-COMPETING)

Hall of Fame Participants (non-competing):

• 3. BAGUIO COUNTRY CLUB (TWO FLOATS)
• 4. SM CITY BAGUIO

GRAND FLORAL FLOAT COMPETITION

OFFICIAL FLORAL FLOAT ENTRIES:

The SMALL FLOAT CATEGORY entries: 

• 1. CONVERGE ICT SOLUTIONS INC.
• 2. EEVOR SKIN DEPOT
• 3. THE FRATERNAL ORDER OF EAGLES
• 4. MANG INASAL PHILIPPINES INC.
• 5. SOLID NORTH TRANSIT INC
• 6. PALAWAN PAWNSHOP – PALAWAN EXPRESS PERA PADALA
• 7. PROVINCE OF BENGUET
• 8. UNILEVER PHILIPPINES INC (SUNSILK)
• 9. ZAPARITA’S GARDEN

The BIG FLOAT CATEGORY has eight contestants:

• 1. AVILON WILDLIFE CONSERVATION FOUNDATION
• 2. CAMP JOHN HAY LEISURE
• 3. COCA-COLA BEVERAGES PHILIPPINES INC
• 4. IKEA PHILIPPINES
• 5. INTERNATIONAL PHARMACEUTICALS INC. (IPI)
• 6. JOLLIBEE FOODS CORPORATION
• 7. SITEL PHILIPPINES CORPORATION
• 8. TOURISM INFRASTRUCTURE AND ENTERPRISE ZONE AUTHORITY (TIEZA)

SPECIAL PARTICIPATION (NON-COMPETING):

• 1. JEEPITO, 
• 2. Floral Cart from NSKK.

Grand Street Dance Parade

The Grand Street Dance parade is another major event during the Panagbenga Festival. This will happen February 25, Saturday also starting at 8 in the morning. This year’s parade will feature 32 dance groups from different parts of the region, each showcasing their unique style and culture through dance and music.

Expect to see colorful costumes and intricate choreography as the dancers move to the beat of traditional music and modern pop hits. The street dance parade is a celebration of the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines, and it is sure to captivate audiences of all ages.

Here is the list of participants expected to perform at the parade:

OFFICIAL ENTRIES : 

GRAND STREET DANCE COMPETITION AND PARADE

DRUM AND LYRE : ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CATEGORY

• 1. LUCBAN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Baguio City
• 2. JOSEFA CARINO ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Baguio City 
• 3. BAGUIO CENTRAL ELEMENTARY SCHOOL, Baguio City
• 4. TUBA CENTRAL SCHOOL, Benguet

CULTURAL DANCE CATEGORY

• 1. AM-AMMONG CHI UMILI, (BIBAK), Baguio City 
• 2. SAKUSAK MUSICAL ENSEMBLE (Pinsao National High School) Baguio City 
• 3. TUMADEK CULTURAL GROUP (Bago Organization), Casigayan, Tabuk City 
• 4. BENHS DANCE CLUB, Benguet National High School, Benguet 
• 5. LABBAN DI E-LAGAN INDIGENOUS PEOPLES ORGANIZATION, Lagan, Sabangan Mountain Province 
• 6. SAENG YA KASAY CULTURAL ENSEMBLE, University of the Cordilleras, Baguio City 
• 7. U.P. Youth Organization Cultural Group, Baguio City 
• 8. BICAS DI LITAGWAN (BIBAK) Baguio City 
• 9. SUMIKAD YA TATTAWI CULTURAL GROUP, Pacdal, Baguio City 
• 10. CHUM-NO CULTURAL GROUP, Tam-Awan, Baguio City 
• 11. KAFAGWAY CULTURAL GROUP (Ayyoweng Di Gangsa, BIBAK) Harrison Rd. Baguio City 
• 12. PANAJEW NI IBAGIW, (Ayyoweng Di Lambak), Holy Ghost, Baguio City 
• 13. SALIBI CULTURAL GROUP of Easter College, Baguio City 
• 14. JOAQUIN SMITH NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL CULTURAL DANCE GROUP ,  Asin Rd, Baguio City 
• 15. BUNAK SHI SHUNTOG CULTURAL PERFORMING GROUP, Baguio City 
• 16. SADANGA STUDENT ASSOCIATION FOR PEACE AND DEVELOPMENT, Mountain Province State Polytechnic College, Sadanga Mountain Province 
• 17. UGGAYAM TURAYAN CULTURAL GROUP, San Vicente, Baguio City 

FESTIVAL STREET DANCE CATEGORY

• 1. SAN JOSE SCHOOL OF LA TRINIDAD DRUM AND LYRE, La Trinidad, Benguet 
• 2. NARVACAN NAISANGSANGAYAN, LGU Narvacan – San Pedro National High School, Narvacan Ilocos Sur 
• 3. UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS, Gov. Pack Road, Baguio City 
• 4. TRIBU ECIJANOS, Bongabon National High School, Brgy Sinipit, Bongabon, Nueva Ecija
• 5. ELYU STREET DANCERS, La Union  
• 6. PINSAO NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL DANCE TROUPE, Pinsao Pilot Project, Baguio City 
• 7. TRIBU SAN CARLOS, San Carlos City Street Dancers, Brgy San Juan, San Carlos City, Pangasinan 
• 8. SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY, Bonifacio Rd., Baguio City 
• 9. NAMACPACAN STREET DANCERS, Luna, La Union 
• 10. TRIBU RIZAL, Rizal National School of Arts and Trades, Rizal, Kalinga 
• 1.1 KALINGA LUMIN-AWA, Kalinga National High School, Bulanao, Tabuk City 

Each group brings their own unique flavor to the parade, and their performances are always a highlight of the festival.

Conclusion

The Panagbenga Festival is a celebration of the vibrant culture and traditions of the people of Baguio and the Philippines. This year’s grand float parade and grand street dance parade promise to be a visual feast for the eyes, with colorful floats and intricate dance performances that showcase the creativity and diversity of the Filipino people.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor to the festival or a seasoned attendee, there’s something for everyone at the Panagbenga Festival. So mark your calendars and prepare to be dazzled by the sights and sounds of this year’s celebration. It’s sure to be an experience you won’t soon forget!