Panagbenga street event highlights native culture

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – There was no “Gangnam Style” or “Harlem Shake,” just pure Cordilleran culture in songs and dances.

This was what locals and tourists witnessed in yesterday’s street dancing parade of the 18th Panagbenga Festival in this resort city.

“We saw to it that the street dancing will live up to its deep embrace on indigenous culture,” said Anthony de Leon, co-chairman of the festival organizing committee.

The Baguio Cultural Society made sure that the performances of the different contingents adhere to indigenous traditions and not to pop culture.

Aside from native music accompanied by tribal instruments, no pop songs were heard.

The only “violator” though was the brass band of the Philippine Military Academy, which performed the “Gangnam” dance craze in five locations along the parade route and at the Baguio Athletic Bowl for the “performance showdown.”

The 2012 champion, the contingent from Kabayan, Benguet performed the “Adivay,” while second-placer Tabuk City in Kalinga depicted the “Abuyog” or unity and cooperation among Kalinga tribal folk.

The Panagbenga crowd is expected to double as the festival highlight – the flower float parade – is staged today.