Panagbenga 2009

Here are photos taken at the Panagbenga Street Dancing Competition held Saturday, February 28.

By Jojo La Maria

THE Baguio Flower Festival is now on its 14th year and a thought just hit me, did we ever thank the people behind the creation of this festival of festivals (Panagbenga)? In so many ways, we did thank them for coming up with the idea similar to the Rose Festival in one of the states of America, so, yes; we did thank them for the Flower Fest.

And then, again, did we thank the right people? I don’t think so… So, this story are for those who became an inspiration in the creation of the now known worldwide as Panagbenga.

If my memory serves me right, the John Hay-Poro Point Development Corporation (JPDC), thought it would be best to give the people of Baguio City, a taste of the Rose Festival in the US. “Treat the people of Baguio City to a grand parade of flowers, abundantly growing in the city.”

Another thought was, Baguio City must be celebrating a festival of its own before the holidays, before the schools break for summer. Something to look forward to.

At first, it was just the parade of flowers and every year thereafter, something new must be added. So, there was the Market Encounter, Session Road in Bloom, Let A thousand Flowers Bloom, Barangay Beautification Contest and the Most Beautifully Decorated business establishment in the Central Business District.

In a very short opening ceremony, the festival is formally launched followed by the various activities planned for just a few days. Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom at the Melvin Jones Football field was an attraction for children of all ages.

The street dancing and float parade highlights the Flower Festival at the time followed by a week of Market Encounter and two days (weekend) of Session Road in Bloom. It was a very short festival, so the organizers thought, but it was all worth it. A heyday for photo-journalists like me. And there were just a few sponsors, too. The people of Baguio looked forward to the Baguio Flower Festival every year.

Through the years, the people of Baguio stood witness to the changes the Flower Festival had.

Various reactions about how it should have been done, the length of the festivities, the areas where activities happen and the organizers. But then again, the Flower Festival grows as the people of Baguio grow with it.

In the last couple of years, local tourists flock to the city during the Flower Festival and this may be one of the reasons why the organizers decided to lengthen the festival to one month. And every year, people ask, “what is next?”

The people of Baguio have been through the best and the worst of the Flower Festival. It is still one we can truly be proud of…

Magandang Panagbenga po! (Sun.Star Baguio)

By Luzviminda Vergara

THERE’S a lot more than meets his eyes.

For a four-year old kid like Yngwie, Panagbenga is more than just the blooming of flowers, it’s not only the parade of floats and the showcase of dances, but an avenue of his youthful dreams.

This little boy from Irisan instantly expressed his excitement when asked about what he thinks of the festival. At a very young age, it is surprising to see the spark of appreciation in his eyes towards the beauty of the Flower Fest. So we say, when a child appreciates, he appreciates sincerely.

Yngwie’s mother says her son, like the other kids, enjoys watching the parade. “But what he is more interested in are the PMA cadets marching along with their flag,” she added saying her son wishes to be like the cadets.

How this young boy looks up to the big boys marching down the session road in their military attire and stiff upright posture is indeed noteworthy since it has left a trace into his juvenile mind. Admiration and respect, that’s how I call it.

He is likewise fascinated with the boys in the band beating the drums again telling her mom he wants to do the same when he grows up.

“He is very vocal and appreciative,” mom says,” when he likes something, he tells it to me instantly … and you can easily notice it because he gets too excited and happy.”

And then comes the street dancers dressed in beautiful flower-accented costumes gracefully rendering their dances to the amazement of the audience, including this kid.

Upon seeing them, he again turns to his mom and say ” ang galing naman nila mommy, gusto ko din sumayaw ng ganyan!” he shouts. ” Sasayaw din ako diyan paglaki ko…”

Cool young fellow. He maybe confused of what he would like to be but a sure thing is, he intends to follow the footsteps of his “models” - those people in the parade who have been remarkable and exemplary to him.

From our psychology lessons, we learned that imitation is at high susceptibility during early age. Children tend to imitate the person or things they observed. There is even this adage, ” kung ano ang ginagawa ng matatanda, ay siyang tama sa mata ng mga bata.”

Well, this is something to ponder. NOw that we are witnessing the highlights of the 14th Baguio Flower Festival, we anticipate another episode which will mark not only on Baguio’s history but also leave a lasting impression on our children’s minds.

For those who will take part in the celebration especially the float parade and street dancing parade, be it little or big, your roles or performances count. So, why not give your best shot? Many little eyes are watching over you.

For kids like Yngwie, Panagbenga doesn’t stop after February. But, it is just the beginning of their journey in realizing what they aspire and ought to be. At least, there is something to look forward to. More importantly, what lies behind the nonchalant sophisticated facade people see, are little silent dreams of the young ones.

Truly, as the this year’s Panagbenga theme signifies, ” Our Festival, Yours Too!” But more importantly for kids, it is their festival too. (Sun.Star Baguio)

These participants of the Panagbenga Street Dancing Competition boast of their colorful headdress at the Session Road.

Here are some photos taken during the Panagbenga Street Dance Competition Saturday, February 28.