By Julie
G. Fianza
BAGUIO CITY – The 21st edition of
the Baguio Flower Festival with the theme, “Bless the Children with Flowers,”
starts Feb. 1, 2016, featuring innovations befitting Panagbenga’s status as a
“benchmark” festival.
She
said that the activities, ways and duration of celebrating Panagbenga is
emulated in other festivals around the country, thus dubbed as “benchmark” and
“highlight” festival.
A
campaign is also underway to make Panagbenga a sustainable year-round event;
and in support to the preservation of nature; a regreening and “re-blooming”
through tree-planting, she said.
Baguio
Flower Festival Foundation, Inc., (BFFFI) officer and businessman Freddie
Alquiroz said Panagbenga supports re-greening the environment with the floats
now requiring 50% potted flowers, as against the whole float made wholly of
cutflowers which wilts after a few days. Potted plants could be returned to
flourish again cutting the cost for float-makers, he added. The potted plants
could also be donated to institutions or those willing to re-plant
them.
Another
innovation would be the small float category, using smaller vehicles instead of
big flatbed trucks, Alquiroz said. This allows more participation, as an
individual or a group can join the float competition, it was known.
Alquiroz
went on to say that Baguio schools bands are encouraged to participate in the
2016 Panagbenga; as with an invitation for other out-of-town bands. Their presence
would enliven the grand street dancing parade on Feb. 27 which starts at the
Panagbenga Park up to the Athletic Bowl; and the float parade, Feb. 28 starting
at the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) office up to the
Athletic Bowl, Burnham Park.
The
Session road in Bloom, usually done within the city’s main street, would also
now include Juan Luna and Lake Drive, Burnham Park, with more landscapers to be
invited, Alquiroz said. The usual ten participants would be upped to fifteen,
Alquiroz said.
There
are also plans for a childrens’ costume competition, it was known.
In
a forum, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said there are no restrictions nor boundaries
on improvement, particularly on Panagbenga. The biggest room is for
improvement, he said. “We are not resting on our laurels, and we intend to
bring Panagbenga to a higher notch,” he added.
Earlier
the mayor pointed out that Panagbenga is celebrated as a thanksgiving for
divine blessings; for development and regional cultural identity; sustenance of
the tourism industry in the city; and unification of efforts for environmental
concerns. Mayor Domogan also emphasized that Panagbenga has survived for twenty
years through teamwork and unity, and harmonious public-private
partnership.
The
main events for Panagbenga 2016 are: Feb. 1, Drum and lyre dance competition,
Elementary division, from Panagbenga Park up to Melvin Jones Football grounds,
Burnham Park; Feb 1 to March 6, Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition, Lake
Drive, Burnham Park; Feb. 14, Handog ng Panagbenga Sa Pamilya Baguio at the
Melvin Jones Grandstand and Football grounds. This activity features the
painting event: Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom; Family-oriented Kite-Flying
Challenge; Variety Show; and Fireworks display in the evening.
On
Feb. 19 to 21, Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming; Feb. 15 to 17,
judging of the School-based landscape competition in city schools; Feb. 19,
judging of the floral arrangement contest at the Baguio City National High
School, the judging for the Barangay clean and green landscaping competition
shall be announced at a later date.
Simultaneous
with the streetdancing and float parades on Feb. 27-28 are Sponsors’ and
Exhibitors’ Day at the Athletic Bowl; Feb. 29 to March 6, Session road in Bloom;
March 5 is Pony Boys’ Day at Wright Park; closing ceremonies and grand
fireworks display happens on March 6, mainly at the Athletic Bowl. Other venues
are prepared for fireworks display.
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