Panagbenga 2012: Flower Splendor in Baguio

CEBU, Philippines - Sometime in February last year, a group of Cebuanos drove up to Baguio to watch the world-famous Grand Flower Festival called Panagbenga, of Malayo-Polynesian origin meaning "season of blooming". The experience was simply unforgettable. Beyond compare.

As luck would have it, our good friends Freddie Alquiros – vice chairman of the event and PR consultant Rosary Ysmael, once again invited us to visit the Philippines' Summer Capital and experience the much anticipated celebration.

We wondered if the new entries and contingents in the parade would capture our hearts once more. It surely did and how!

The two-day celebration started as early as six in the morning when    thousands of locals and foreign visitors alike lined the pedestrian lanes along the parade route on Session and Harrison Roads to get the best unobstructed view.

The cadets of the Philippine Military Academy in their crisp grey uniforms led the parade, followed by government officials that included Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan and Congressman Bernardo Vergara.

 The first day featured street dancing, participated by students from the different universities and establishments and several marching band exhibitions. Thirteen contingents numbering almost 2,000 marched to the beat of the festival hymn composed by professor Macario Fronda of the Saint Louis University. The winners were the Kabayan from Benguet – first place, Tabuk City – second and the Baguio City National High School – third.

Much too soon the parade was over. We were not disappointed though as the Flower Festival, the highlight of the festivities, was simply just a few hours away.

This year's Panagbenga had 26 spectacular floats made from every imaginable flower in every color.

Without a doubt the Hall of Famers, SM with its red and yellow dragon, and the Baguio Country Club adopting the theme from Star Wars were easily   favorites.

The winners were as follows. M Lhuillier from Cebu came in first, followed by the Department of Tourism – second and the Manila North Tollways Corporation – third.

Also worth seeing was the landscape and Carpet of Flowers competition at the Burnham Park. Over P 500,000 worth of prizes were distributed among the lucky winners.    

The Panagbenga was created l7 years ago as a tribute to the city's flowers and serves as a reminder to   rise up from the 1990 earthquake in Luzon which resulted in massive destruction.

Baguio's Panagbenga blooms with great talent, innovative artistry and unyielding spirit. It is definetly a must visit for every fun loving Filipino.