We all love beautiful flowers which bring us immense happiness and mental relaxation at times. They have become part of almost every culture, while many traditional flower-based ceremonies throughout the world have revived to this date. Panagbenga Festival is one of such magnificent occasions, which is among the main tourist attractions of Baguio City in the Philippines. In fact, the festival originated only after the 1990 Luzon earthquake which devastated most of Baguio, with the loss of several invaluable lives. Its intention was the revival of tourism in Baguio, and was based on flower-inspired rituals of the Ibaloi community.
A Brief Introduction
Before the origin of Baguio, the region was home to ancient settlements of two indigenous tribes, the Ibalois and the Kankanaeys. 'Panagbenga' is a Kankanaey term meaning 'a season of blossoming'. In fact, the festival is held in February as a tribute to the flowers of the city. It is also a major inspiration to tourism, which is observed to suffer a period of inactivity between the Christmas season and the summer. February is special because in addition to Panagbenga Festival, the Chinese New Year celebrations also fall during this time. Needless to say, both festivals are a boon for local tourism in Baguio. Apart from the economic importance, the festival is also said to be a valuable opportunity for new generations to rediscover their culture and traditions.
Main Features
A significant feature of Panagbenga Festival is its parade of floats decorated with a variety of beautiful flowers. They may remind you of Pasadena's Rose Parades, but are certainly much more elaborate. Street dancing, adapted from the Benedian dance of celebration from the Ibaloi, adds colour to these processions. Clad in magnificent flower-inspired costumes, they perform lively dances to the beat of drums and lyres. Trade fairs are also held for tourists as part of the festival.
The Schedule
Panagbenga Festival follows a predetermined schedule. The opening parade is on the 1st of February, followed by a short opening programme. A trade fair is held at Burnham Park since the first Saturday of February. A parade and street dancing competition is held on the fourth Saturday on Session Road, while float and marching band competitions follow on the next day. 'Session Road in Bloom' starts on the fourth Monday, complete with flower stalls, side walk cafes and food outlets. The first Sunday of March marks the end of Panagbenga Festival, accompanied by field demonstrations, the closing ceremony and a colourful fireworks display.
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