Feb. March events set for Panagbenga festival

Asec Banaag graces opening 

BAGUIO CITY -- The 22^nd staging of the  month-long  Baguio Flower Festival  popularly known as  Panagbenga, opened Feb.  1 with a parade and program with   Presidential Communications Operations Office Assistant Secretary Ana Marie Banaag  as  special guest.

The day started with a multi – faith prayer, native ritual and cultural show at Panagbenga Park followed by parade along Upper and Lower Session Road   to Magsaysay Avenue to Melvin Jones Grandstand.  Highlighting the parade  was the  Elementary School level Drum and Lyre preliminary competitions was judged based on their streetdance choreography, execution, instrumentation, creativity, costume and recycled props, and audience impact.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan gave the welcome remarks   followed by the unveiling of the giant calendar of activities for Panagbenga 2017 by city officials and the board of trustees and officials of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI).

Banaag talked about the country’s   chairmanship of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) whose promotion is one of the priority concerns of the PCO.   

 The ASEC also joined city and BFFFI officials in ribbon cutting to open the Baguio Blooms at Lakeside of Burnham Park. A trade fair, food exposition and garden/landscaping display was held until March 5.

Domogan has suspended classes for elementary and secondary classes in the city on Feb. 1.

 Other activities lined up  in the month-long festival  include   Handog ng PanagBenga sa Baguio (Feb. 12), Session Road in Bloom (Feb. 27 to March 5), Grand Street Dancing Parade (Feb. 25) Grand Float Parade (Feb. 26), and Pony Boys Day (March 4), and other community led – events and sports and adventure activities.

 Panagbenga 2017 is themed, “Inspired by Beauty, Nurtured by Nature.”

 Panagbenga (Kankanaey term for blossoming)  had  been reaping  awards for orderly and disciplined conduct of major events. It  is  the only  local festival accredited by  the International Festival and Events Association.