"Baguio" is a place in the Philippines which gained the title as the country's "Summer Capital". As for the "Panagbenga Festival", it's English translation is "Blooming Flowers Festival". This term is actually originated from the "Malayo-Polynesian" which means "Season of Blooming".
The flower festival is annually celebrated at the center of the city which is held on the whole month of February. This form of celebration was created as a tribute into the blooming flower of the city and to encourage the people of Baguio to rise up from devastation of the previous powerful earthquake that occurred back in 1990.
Baguio's flower festival's grand celebration includes Street and Float Parade. In the Street Parade category, the participants are composed of dancers with flower-inspired costumes. Most of these dancers comes from the Cordillera Region while there are also some guests from other regions of the Philippines.
Celebrating the Panagbenga Flower Festival have a good economic boosts from tourism. Aside from its economic benefit, the younger generation of the indigenous people will be able to learn more about their old cultural traditions.
1. Grand Opening of the Flower Festival
On that 1st day of the month of February, an opening street parade will be held to signify the start of the Panagbenga Festival. The street parade will start from the Upper Session Road where the dancers marches down towards the Melvin Jones Grounds.
The participants are composed of volunteers who are also contenders in the upcoming Grand Street Parade. Although, they will only be performing a few sample of their performances to entice the crowd of spectators to come and watch the grand event in the succeeding following weeks.
2. Trade Fair and Bazaar
At some places of the Burnham Park, trade fair will be held which usually starts from the 1st Saturday of February until the end of the month. This trade fair are composed of small shops selling various and unique goods of the city's own cultural products. These includes flowers, sculptured wooden figures, woven baskets and etc...
3. The Grand Street Dancing Competition
At the 3rd or 4th week of the month of February, the most awaited "Grand Street Dancing Competition" is held. The contestants are composed of students from different schools in Baguio and they are to be judge according to their divisions (Elementary, High School and College), costumes and performances. Guests participants (who are not from the Cordillera Region) are excluded from the competition but they are free to perform.
4. Float and Marching Band Competitions
The day that follows after the Grand Street Parade is the "Float and Marching Band Competition". This event are composed of vibrant, well designed and multicolored floats that are made out of flowers with various kinds. Along with these floats are bands that marches along the street which keeps the lively tone of the parade. There are also some dancers with their colorful costumes performing their lively cultural dances.
5. Session Road in Bloom
After the Grand Street and Float Parade, Session Road will be closed for various Shop Vendors to put-up their stalls and introduce their products to all visitors particularly to the tourists. Thus, Session Road will be closed to all vehicles where they are given a re-route.
Aside from the stalls, concerts will also be performed by various popular musical entertainers in some selected areas of the Session Road. This activity is organized and managed by the city's tourism sector.
6. Closing Ceremonies
Unfortunately, every event must come to an end. The Panagbenga Flower Festival event comes to an end at the 1st Sunday of the month of March.
On the 1st Sunday of the month of March, there will be various entertaining performances and exhibitions for the whole crowd of spectators. A closing program ceremony will be held which will formally end the festival then later in the evening, there will be an amazing firework display.
Commuting from Manila to Baguio is a very convenient option especially when you choose to take a bus-ride from the Victory Liner or Genesis Bus Companies. These two bus companies have excellent services with good reputations.
Victory Liner
If you choose to take a ride from the Victory Liner buses, their buses bound for Baguio can be found at their bus terminals in Pasay (EDSA), Cubao (Quezon City) and Monumento (Caloocan). On the other hand, the Victory Liner's terminal in Baguio is located a few walking distance from the city's SM Mall.
Victory Liner buses operates on a 24-hour service where each bus on-the-line leaves for every hour period.
Genesis Bus
Genesis Bus Terminals in Manila is located at Cubao (EDSA cor. New York Street) and Avenida (Doroteo Jose cor. Oroquieta St.). In Baguio, their terminal is located at the lower area of the SM Mall.
But unlike the Victory Liner, Genesis Bus operates on different schedules. I suggest that you should check their official website for a more accurate time of their available trips.
Overall, if you intend to spend several days in Baguio to witness the entire celebration of the Panagbenga Flower Festival, it is highly advised that you should plan your trip in advance. And, one of the most important part of your plan is to book for an early accommodation. You have to know that the accommodations in the city tends to become fully-booked during the week of the festival.
The flower festival is annually celebrated at the center of the city which is held on the whole month of February. This form of celebration was created as a tribute into the blooming flower of the city and to encourage the people of Baguio to rise up from devastation of the previous powerful earthquake that occurred back in 1990.
Baguio's flower festival's grand celebration includes Street and Float Parade. In the Street Parade category, the participants are composed of dancers with flower-inspired costumes. Most of these dancers comes from the Cordillera Region while there are also some guests from other regions of the Philippines.
Celebrating the Panagbenga Flower Festival have a good economic boosts from tourism. Aside from its economic benefit, the younger generation of the indigenous people will be able to learn more about their old cultural traditions.
Regular Events of the Panagbenga Flower Festival
1. Grand Opening of the Flower Festival
On that 1st day of the month of February, an opening street parade will be held to signify the start of the Panagbenga Festival. The street parade will start from the Upper Session Road where the dancers marches down towards the Melvin Jones Grounds.
The participants are composed of volunteers who are also contenders in the upcoming Grand Street Parade. Although, they will only be performing a few sample of their performances to entice the crowd of spectators to come and watch the grand event in the succeeding following weeks.
2. Trade Fair and Bazaar
At some places of the Burnham Park, trade fair will be held which usually starts from the 1st Saturday of February until the end of the month. This trade fair are composed of small shops selling various and unique goods of the city's own cultural products. These includes flowers, sculptured wooden figures, woven baskets and etc...
3. The Grand Street Dancing Competition
At the 3rd or 4th week of the month of February, the most awaited "Grand Street Dancing Competition" is held. The contestants are composed of students from different schools in Baguio and they are to be judge according to their divisions (Elementary, High School and College), costumes and performances. Guests participants (who are not from the Cordillera Region) are excluded from the competition but they are free to perform.
 |
| Credits to Saori Sam from Bitlanders : Street Parade |
The day that follows after the Grand Street Parade is the "Float and Marching Band Competition". This event are composed of vibrant, well designed and multicolored floats that are made out of flowers with various kinds. Along with these floats are bands that marches along the street which keeps the lively tone of the parade. There are also some dancers with their colorful costumes performing their lively cultural dances.
 |
| Credits to Saori Sam from BitLanders: Grand Float Parade |
After the Grand Street and Float Parade, Session Road will be closed for various Shop Vendors to put-up their stalls and introduce their products to all visitors particularly to the tourists. Thus, Session Road will be closed to all vehicles where they are given a re-route.
Aside from the stalls, concerts will also be performed by various popular musical entertainers in some selected areas of the Session Road. This activity is organized and managed by the city's tourism sector.
6. Closing Ceremonies
Unfortunately, every event must come to an end. The Panagbenga Flower Festival event comes to an end at the 1st Sunday of the month of March.
On the 1st Sunday of the month of March, there will be various entertaining performances and exhibitions for the whole crowd of spectators. A closing program ceremony will be held which will formally end the festival then later in the evening, there will be an amazing firework display.
Traveling to Baguio City
Commuting from Manila to Baguio is a very convenient option especially when you choose to take a bus-ride from the Victory Liner or Genesis Bus Companies. These two bus companies have excellent services with good reputations.
Victory Liner
If you choose to take a ride from the Victory Liner buses, their buses bound for Baguio can be found at their bus terminals in Pasay (EDSA), Cubao (Quezon City) and Monumento (Caloocan). On the other hand, the Victory Liner's terminal in Baguio is located a few walking distance from the city's SM Mall.
Victory Liner buses operates on a 24-hour service where each bus on-the-line leaves for every hour period.
Genesis Bus
Genesis Bus Terminals in Manila is located at Cubao (EDSA cor. New York Street) and Avenida (Doroteo Jose cor. Oroquieta St.). In Baguio, their terminal is located at the lower area of the SM Mall.
But unlike the Victory Liner, Genesis Bus operates on different schedules. I suggest that you should check their official website for a more accurate time of their available trips.
Overall, if you intend to spend several days in Baguio to witness the entire celebration of the Panagbenga Flower Festival, it is highly advised that you should plan your trip in advance. And, one of the most important part of your plan is to book for an early accommodation. You have to know that the accommodations in the city tends to become fully-booked during the week of the festival.
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