Our city has an annual festivity for flowers called the Panagbenga which translates to "season of blossoming" or "a time for flowering." It is a month-long event celebrated since 1996, and initially known as the 'Baguio Flower Festival' but was renamed 'Panagbenga' the following year.
This event is considered a fusion of blooms and culture, making the city come alive and more colorful than ever. It runs every 1st of February until the first Sunday of March, with different themes year after year. The festivities were canceled during the pandemic (2020-2021) and resumed with limited activities in 2022 and full events returned in 2023.
The Panagbenga was initiated to boost tourism during the most inactive months of the year and as a homage to the region's flowers. Accordingly, it was meant to liven up the city after the devastating quake in 1990.¹
Panagbenga Events
A grand street dancing parade, is one of the events that usually draws thousands of visitors from different parts of the country and even from abroad. This is when participants (schools, organizations, etc) dressed mostly in flower-inspired or cultural customs participate and showcase their talents through street dancing.
There is also the grand float parade where floats (by participating companies, organizations, and private or government agencies) elaborately and creatively adorned mostly with colorful flowers (check the first photo) grace the city's main roads (Session Rd and Harrison) for a parade. Many spectators usually gather along the streets to watch and cheer.
Here's a preview of last year's float parade, courtesy of Rappler on YT.
And there is the so-called "Session in Bloom" where one of the main city streets gets closed to vehicles for a week, turning into a bazaar (market).
Both sides of the road are occupied by stalls displaying different products, paintings, souvenirs, food (of course), and what else. The whole Session Road is usually buzzing with people strolling up and down. Below video by PHDotNet shows a sneak preview.
And of course, the "PanagbengaScapes" can't be missed!
It's a landscaping exhibition where participating agencies, organizations, or groups showcase their floral or gardening creativity in the city park and other designated locations where people can enjoy them.
Exploring the landscaping sites during the weekdays is my favorite because there are fewer people, hence, we get to quietly enjoy beautiful landscapes and see a lot of gardening ideas without brushing shoulders with others.
The photos in the next collage were initially shared 2 years ago on my fictional story, Getting Lost in a Sanctuary.
Apart from these, there are other activities - like the Valentine Series, Bingo Plus Night, school-based competitions (Floral Arrangement), concerts and others.
The month-long event is concluded with a citywide fireworks display, although most spectators flock along Session Road.
Panagbenga is in its 28th year. While the flowers are not really from the city, but mostly from its neighboring town (La Trinidad), the flower festival has become synonymous with the city's identity. So I believe the festivity will carry on for many more decades, and continue to innovate, even when its founder is no more.
Do you have festivals related to flowers too? I invite you to share with us. Check out the MayInLeo for more.
Photos are my own. Videos are not mine, credits to their owners. No copyright infringement intended. 06052024/20:15ph