BAGUIO CITY (PIA) — The Baguio City government, in partnership with the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc .(BFFI), officially launched the city’s annual February flower festival during the flag- raising ceremony at the city hall grounds on Monday (January 6).
This year’s launching of the Baguio Flower Festival, popularly known as Panagbenga, was highlighted by the unveiling of the calendar of activities for the 29th Panagbenga, festive performances and messages from Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Congressman Mark Go delivered by Councilor Mylen Yaranon, BFFFI President Federico Alquiroz, and Chairman for Life Mauricio Domogan.
In his message, Alquiroz sought the support of all festival stakeholders and Baguio folks and visitors in ensuring a grand and successful staging of Panagbenga 2025.
“Panagbenga is not just an event, but a demonstration of our pride, identity, and shared history; It is about pushing boundaries, whether they are artistic, cultural, or personal. This festival belongs to everyone – young and old, locals and visitors, dreamers and doers,” Alquiroz pointed out.
This year’s Panagbenga, with the theme “Blossoms Beyond Boundaries”, will formally start on February 1 with the grand opening parade and street dancing.
Activities that are slated to open on Feb. 1 include the Panagbengascapes: Landscaping Competition and Exhibition and the Baguio Bloom, and Market Encounter in Burnham Park.
The most awaited highlights of the festival are the Grand Street Dancing and Grand Floral Float parades scheduled for Feb. 22 and 23, respectively.
Other Panagbenga traditional events are the Handog ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya Baguio on Feb. 9; the Fluvial Parade at the Burnham Lake on Feb. 27; and the Session Road in Bloom from Feb. 24 to March 2.
Also on the list of events are the Panagbenga 2025 calendar is the Rhythm of the Highlands: A Showcase of Culture and Dance (Feb. 15); Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming (Feb. 13 – 15); Baguio Country Club 120th Founding Anniversary celebration (Feb. 18) and BCC Supercentennial Parade (Feb. 21); School-based Landscaping Competition, and Panagbenga Flower Tee Golf Classic (Feb. 28 – Mar. 1).
Panagbenga was conceptualized in 1995 with the goal of helping Baguio City recover from the devastation or challenges brought about by the 1990 Luzon killer earthquake. It is a Kankanaey term for “season of blooming”.
Since then, the annual staging of the Panagbenga Festival, which also features the rich cultural heritage and vibrant communities of Baguio and the Cordilleras, has been drawing people from all over the country and abroad. It was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Let us celebrate together. Let us inspire one another and prove once again that when Baguio blooms, it does so beyond all expectations,” Alquiroz said. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
