Flowers of Baguio City in bloom

Sometime in February last year, a group of Cebuanos drove up to Baguio to watch Baguio’s spectacular flower festival called Panagbenga, a word of Malayo-Polynesian origin meaning “season of blooming.” The experience was simply unforgettable.

This year my good friends Freddie Alquiros, vice chairman of the event and PR consultant Rosary Ysmael invited us to visit the Philippines’ Summer Capital and experience the much-anticipated celebration.

We were billeted at the Manor located within the lush gardens of Camp John Hay. The177 rooms including 52 well-appointed suites are equipped with modern amenities and facilities. The property’s Le Chef Restaurant serves contemporary dishes that are masterfully prepared by renowned chef Billy King.  

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 6 a.m. Thousands of locals and foreign visitors alike lined the pedestrian walkways along the parade route on Session and Harrison Roads to get the best unobstructed view of the festival.

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

The first day featured streetdancing participated in by students from 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.

 The following day, 26 spectacular floats decorated with thousands of flowers in every imaginable color made their way to the parade route amid thunderous applause and cheer.   

Easily the favorites were the Hall of Famers: SM with its red and yellow dragon; and the Baguio Country Club, which had for its theme, Star Wars.

By mid-afternoon the winners were announced. We were more than proud when   M Lhuillier from Cebu placed first; the Department of Tourism, second; and the Manila North Tollways Corporation, third.

Also worth seeing were the artistic landscapes and colorful “Carpet of Flowers” competition at Burnham Park. Over P500,000 worth of prizes were distributed among the lucky winners.