BAGUIO CITY — All roads lead to Baguio City this month as the Summer Capital of the Philippines has kicked off the 27th Baguio Flower Festival or “Panagbenga” Festival on Wednesday morning.
Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. chairman for life and former Baguio City Mayor and Congressman Mauricio G. Domogan led the opening rites which include the requests for blessings from the “Mighty Creator” at the Panagbenga Park.
In his “Uggayam” or indigenous chant, Domogan expressed his gratitude that after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Baguio Flower Festival will now be celebrated fully.
He also hoped also that the more than a month-long celebration will boost economic and social recovery of the city as the people can now move with minimal protocols against the deadly respiratory disease still in place.
The festival’s “father” also asked that the Creator always be present with the people of Baguio and protect them from any diseases and bad happenings.
After the opening rites, thousands of parade participants lined up the Upper Session Road and started to march. Both Elementary pupils from some public as well as private schools of Baguio lit up the opening parade with their colorful and creative costumes.
The parade was also highlighted by three elementary street dance contingents and eight cultural dancers and they were joined by officials and government employees as well as private individuals and groups.
The march was complemented by the Philippine Military Academy Band and other marching bands from the high school and college departments of the St. Louis University.
“Panagbenga” is a festival started in 1996, years after the deadly 1990 earthquake that devastated Baguio City and other places. The term is derived from a vernacular term which means season of blooming symbolizing the rise of the City from the rubbles.
The “Panagbenga” season will end on 1 March 2023 and it is expected to draw major crowds especially with the conduct of the Grand Street Dancing and the Grand Float Parade which will kick off on 25 and 26 February 2023.