One of the many legacies that Spain left behind in the Philippines is the festivals. Although most festivals started out as religious in nature, several festivals have come up during the last decades to celebrate other aspects of local life. One of such festivals is the Panagbenga Festival or the Flower Festival in Baguio City. The term “panagbenga” is a kankanaey word for “season of blooming” which signifies that the festival is a tribute to the city’s flowers. A month-long celebration, the Panagbenga Festival started out in 1996, partly as a way to rise up from the earthquake that devastated Baguio City a few years back and also partly because the locals wanted a festival of their own.
And twenty years after the first Panagbenga Festival, I was finally able to experience it firsthand! I was there on February 28 to witness the Grand Street Dancing Parade where kids in colorful costumes danced and played the lyre and drums along the main streets of Baguio. Here are some of the photos*** during the parade (click to enlarge)
poor boys, having to strut around barefoot and their behinds hanging out. haha!
These lyre players were really impressive, hustling after their lyres and still playing well.
These kids not only had to play these instruments well but they also had to do that while dancing!
very good baton twirler!
For the Panagbenga 2016 schedule of activities, click here.
Panagbenga Festival 2015 Schedule of Activities
February 1, 2015
- Opening Ceremonies and Street Dancing Parade Competition
(Drum and Lyre Dance Competition – Elementary Division)
Locations: Panagbenga Park, Session Road, Harrison Road, Baguio Athletic Bowl - Opening Concert
Location: To Be Announced - Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park
February 2 – 14, 2015
- Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park
February 15, 2015
- Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park - Handong ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya Baguio
Location: Melvin Jones - Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom
Location: Melvin Jones - Panagbenga 2015 Kite-Flying Challenge
Location: Melvin Jones - Panagbenga Variety Show
Location: Melvin Jones - Fireworks Display
Location: Melvin Jones
February 16 – 18, 2015
- Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park
February 19, 2015
- Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park - Chinese Spring Festival
Location: City-wide
February 19 – 22, 2015
- Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park - PMA Grand Alumni Home Coming
Location: Philippine Military Academy, Loakan Road
February 23 – 27, 2015
- Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park - Floral Arrangement Competition and School-based Landscaping Competitiong (Judging)
Location: Elementary and Highschools in Baguio City
February 28, 2015
- Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park - Grand Street Dancing Parade
Locations: Panagbenga Park, Session Road, Harrison Road, Athletic Bowl - Sponsors’and Exhibitors’ Day
Location: Athletic Bowl
March 1 , 2015
- Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park - Grand Float Parade
Locations: DILG, Session Road, Harrison Road, Athletic Bowl - Sponsors’and Exhibitors’ Day
Location: Athletic Bowl - Session Road in Bloom
Location: Session Road
March 2 – 6, 2015
- Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park - Session Road in Bloom
Location: Session Road
March 7, 2015
- Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park - Session Road in Bloom
Location: Session Road - Pony Boys’ Day
Location: Athletic Bowl
March 8, 2015
- Baguio Blooms Exhibition and Exposition
Location: Lake Drive, Burnham Park - Session Road in Bloom
Location: Session Road - Panagbenga Closing Ceremonies and Grand Fireworks Display
Locations: Athletic Bowl and various areas in Baguio’s (Central Business District) CBD
***all photos were taken by Moche.
