Number coding suspended: Panagbengafest street dances, float parade on

By Julie G. Fianza

BAGUIO CITY – The 18th staging of Panagbenga or the Baguio Flower Festival this year, refreshed by earlier showers, was abloom as hordes of admirers came from afar to join festivities.

To allow locals and visitors more access to events, mayors Mauricio Domogan of Baguio and Mayor Gregorio Abalos of La Trinidad, Benguet suspended the number coding scheme for vehicles.

This, as 18 competing contingents vying for the top prize were joined by city officials led by Rep. Bernardo Vergara, Mayor Mauricio Domogan, and other city officials and sister city delegations from Vaughan, Ontario, Canada; Gongju City, South Korea; Taebaek City, South Korea and Vallejo, California marched from Upper Session road, Magsaysay Avenue-Harrison road, to Athletic Bowl, Burnham Park for a showdown of flower-powered performances.

Street dancing contestants from Kabayan, Benguet; last year’s champion presented Adivay, a continuation of their 2012 performance; newcomer Philex school from Tuba, Benguet presented Dangtey ken Tayao; TanghalangTeatro of Pines City National High School presented the pest-driving story of Hulin of Ifugao; TribuAritau of Nueva Vizcaya presented the traditional victory rite with the Sedsed and Bendian; “Insalay,” a ritual for rain, was also presented by the Sakusak Traditional Ensemble of Pinsao National High School.

The Tabuk group which won second place last year presented “Abuyog,” a story of Unity and Cooperation among Kalinga natives; BumabangatiKalinga of St. Theresita’s School of Tabuk, Kalinga presented a story of pot-making, dancing with pot-balancing acts; Tsinakhon Cultural Association of Saint Louis University Laboratory High School presented the dry season rice production from Bontoc, Mt. Province; Teatroni Pengentaan of the Baguio City National High School, School for Performing Arts, presented the wedding celebration of the Iowaks of Itogon, Benguet;

The cultural dance troupe of another newcomer, Baguio City Academy presented the Chono, wedding feast of the Mt. Province with activities such as the Fagfagto and Sanggor; the Cordillera Cultural Dance Troup of SLU presented the Say-ong from Abra; the Litangbon Culture from Bontoc, Mt. Province presented their customs and practices through colorful costumes and dances; and the ApayaoIpasindayao presented the Kabinnulig, planting, harvest and thanksgiving celebration.

Aguinaldo Elem. School, Lucban, Mabini, Baguio Central Elementary School, and Fort Del Pilar who won the judges’ approval during the opening parade joined the parade with their energetic and gigantic props-laden presentations.

Nearby, at the Ibaloi park, Baguio’s descendants of original settlers celebrated with Tayao and Ibaloi rites, with those from neighboring La Trinidad, Itogon, Sablan, Tuba, and Tublay municipalities of Benguet.

Baguio Blooms floral landscapes at the Burnham Skating rink is also open until March 3 where spectators may promenade among artists’ masterpieces; of plants, huts, rocks and waterfalls.

Exhibitors are also having their two-day stint this weekend at the Athletic Bowl.

After the float parade this morning, Sunday, Session road shall be closed for a week with food stalls, plant and flower-themed indigenous products on the city’s main thoroughfare.

About 20 floats are expected to flaunt their wheel-based assembled blooms down Session road, with some corporate giants, the Department of Agriculture, the labor office, the Municipality of La Trinidad and two national media groups, all having their own interpretation of this year’s theme: “A Blooming Odyssey.”

The winners shall be announced during the closing ceremonies on March 3 at the Athletic Bowl, Burnham Park; with a fireworks display to cap the month-long celebration.

Pony Boys day with horse-races, games on horse.