Panagbenga fest 2015 opens Feb. 1

BAGUIO CITY – With theme for this year: “Across 20 Years, Blossoming Together,” the 2015 Baguio Flower Festival officially opens 7 a.m. today (Feb. 1) with prayers at Panagbenga park followed by a parade participated in by 12 childrens’ drum and lyre competitors vying for nine slots in the grand street dancing parade on Feb. 28.

Prayers of the Roman Catholic Church would be rendered by Bishop Carlito Cenzon, Islamic prayers by Uztad Rohala Moripaga and the Uggayam by Mayor Mauricio Domogan.

A special performance by the University of the Cordilleras Hapiyoh precedes the drum and lyre parade which includes the Baguio Central School, Aguinaldo Elementary School, Don Aurora, Mabini, Rizal, Special Education, Quezon, Quirino, Lucban, Josefa Carino Elementary School.

Police escorts, color guards and cadets including Philippine Military Academy band heads the parade followed by city officials, Cultural Troupe, Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Operations and Air Soft Club, MMA and Korean Association in Northern Luzon.

Twenty districts are expected to join the parade which starts at 8 a.m. interspersed with children’s group competition, while Siberian Husky Club, Kennel Club and Wright Park Pony Boys Association will be at of parade at Athletic Bowl.

The route is from the Panagbenga Park, Upper Session road going down, Harrison road up to Burnham Park.

Domogan and Rep. Nicasio Aliping, Jr. will deliver messages, as chair and co-chair of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc.

Executive committee chairman Anthony de Leon and FredericoAlquiros will unveil giant calendar of events.

The children will perform with announcement of selected participants in the grand street dancing parade immediately after.

A concert dubbed “Soundscapes: Panagbenga Live Sessions,” follows at the SM event center at 4p.m. which will feature folk, rock, country and acoustics.      

 “Baguio Blooms, Exhibition and Exposition” would be held at Lake Drive, Burnham Park until March 8.

In a press conference Friday, Domogan, Baguio City police director Supt. Rolando Miranda, de Leon, Alquiros, invited the public to attend 20th Panagbenga activities.