BY: JOSE ROBERT INVENTOR
The flower is blooming once again in Baguio City.
Today marks the official start of the month-long grand celebration of the Panagbenga Festival in the City of Pines.
Wherever you look, the streets are adorned with vibrant flowers and cheerful children dancing.
But before the parade began, a traditional Cordilleran prayer called Ugayam was performed,
serving as a guide for a successful celebration.
Tourists flocked to Session Road and Harrison Road, including balikbayan Jennelyn from Michigan, USA.
Smiling kids danced to the beat of the Panagbenga Hymn and other festive music as they paraded down Upper Session Road towards the Melvin Jones Grandstand.
Thirteen cultural groups also participated.
If the parade performances were impressive,
the children’s energy levels soared even higher during their presentations at the Melvin Jones Grandstand, despite the cloudy weather.
The audience was not disappointed with the all-out performances.
Meanwhile, Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. Chairman Emeritus Atty. Mauricio Domogan highlighted the significance of the celebration.
Today’s celebration is just a glimpse of the grander festivities to come for Panagbenga 2025 in the City of Pines.
The Grand Street Dance Parade and Grand Floral Float Parade are set for February 22 and 23.
