‘Panagbenga’ parade rained out

BAGUIO CITY — It started with a drizzle, then heavy rain.

For the first time since it was staged nine years ago, yesterday’s grand parade of the tourist-drawer Panagbenga (Flower) Festival was rained out, drenching street dancers, most of them schoolchildren in colorful flower garb, and leaving city trekkers in disgust.

Nobody expected the weather anomaly since the sun shone brightly as the crowd gathered as early as 10 a.m. along Session Road for a good view of the parade.

The drizzle began as the brass band played the Panagbenga tune atop Session Road where the street dancing started. But this did not dampen the participants who went on with their dance routines even as the rain grew heavier, ruining their make-up and soiling their flower costumes.

Some parents pulled out their children from the parade, while others waited until the parade stopped. The rain ended just when the parade was over.

The competition went on as scheduled at the Baguio Athletic Bowl but the contestants had to contend with wet and muddy grounds.

Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan promised to provide P1 million for the medicines of children who might catch illnesses after the parade. The city council would also earmark funds, according to councilor Peter Rey Bautista.

Presidential candidate Raul Roco, running mate Herminio Aquino and their "senatoriables" Frank Chavez, Bong Coo, Gus Gatmaitan, Edno Joson and Batas Mauricio, all in flower-printed attire, backed out from joining the parade when the rains began to pour.

Seizing the moment, K-4 senatorial candidates Lito Lapid, Ramon Revilla Jr., Miriam Defensor-Santiago, Rodolfo Biazon, Pia Cayetano, Robert Jaworski Jr., Mar Roxas and Richard Gordon joined the parade.