Panagbenga teems with color, pomp

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – Panagbenga is still thriving on its color, pomp and grace.

Yesterday’s street dancing parade seemed to have doused earlier hitches involving questions in funding and accountabilities.

“So will today’s flower float parade,” said festival co-chairman Anthony de Leon.

The festival through the years have turned up more color, De Leon said, as he initially described the festival that runs until March 2, a beaming success.

The spirit of community and reverence to Northern culture were reflected in the eyes of flower-clad street dancers.

The festival, now on its 19th year, never fails to bring amazement and amusement, even to local residents.  

Benguet native Rosario Atos, who had been into the street dancing revelries thrice, noticed a slight deviation from the street dancing routines that had been concentrated at the Athletic Bowl showdown competitions, instead of real dancing in the streets.

Atos’ friend, Cecilia Pelayo of Parañaque, whom she brought with her for the first time, described the event as “very nice, very festive and very good.”

Tourism committee chairman Councilor Elmer Datuin expressed belief the twin parade is still very good.  

The flower float parade always draws in a bigger crowd, he said.

Mayor Mauricio Domogan said the festival is one of a kind in the whole country.  

“It has remained to be our pride and honor,” he said as he welcomed criticisms on the waning “flower-flavor” of the festival.

Domogan said the lure of Panagbenga is tremendous, noting traffic jams since Wednesday last week when revelers started to flock to the city.

Tourism leaders expect at least 2.5 million revelers, a half a million increase from last year’s festivities.