BAGUIO CITY– The sweet smell of flowers
filled the air as the annual Baguio Flower Festival or Panagbenga officially
started yesterday morning with an initial glimpse of what is expected to happen
within this month.
A mardigras and a street dancing activity
joined by hundreds of revelers in flower-designed costumes ushered in the
festival mood with the ironing out of the initial differences between the private
organizers and some city officials.
A “win-win” solution was finally arrived at,
Federico Alquiros, co-chairman of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation.
Alquiros, along with another co-chairman
Anthony de Leon initially figured in a word war with Councilor Elmer Datuin,
the city council’s tourism committee chairman, over supposed fund disbursement
transparency woes.
Both parties have agreed to settle their
differences, which according to Alquiros, would greatly contribute to the
success for the month-long celebration themed “Inspiring the community for a
greener tomorrow.”
The theme, Mayor Mauricio Domogan said, aptly
answers today’s challenges on climate change.
Domogan said the festival should serve as a
reminder about the devastation caused by Super Typhoon Yolanda and to take care
of the environment.
“The festival should swing towards the
environment. We should all be instruments in heeling the world,” he said.
“Our unity keeps inspiring us to
continue,” said Rep. NicasioAliping, who joined city officials in the
opening parade.
As early as Thursday, Baguio’s traffic
landscape worsened with revelers’ influx into the city for the festival’s
opening.
Though hotels and inns owners couldn’t give
exact estimates on how many trekked to Baguio for the long weekend, the traffic
gridlock particularly along the city’s main thoroughfares spoke well of the
domestic tourist arrivals.
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