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| History Panagbenga: The birth of a tradition IT ALL began in 1995 when lawyer Damaso Bangaoet, Jr., John Hay Poro Point Development Corp. (JPDC) managing director, presented to the JPDC Board of Directors the idea of their spearheading the holding of a flower festival in Baguio City. The board, then led by Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) Chairman Victor Lim and JPDC President Rogelio Singson, approved the project immediately. It was also decided that the festival be held every February. From the very start, JPDC saw itself as the initiator, not the producer of the festival. Consequently, its strategy was to present the idea to the various sectors of the community: government, education, business, media and civic organizations. This was not only to solicit their support but also to gather suggestions and ideas. Their response was generally warm and immediate. It grew as a well-spring of community support fed resources into the project. The Baguio Flower Festival was idea on its way to becoming a reality. Making the idea a reality fell into the hands of the Baguio Flower Festival (BFF) secretariat, which was chaired by Bangaoet and manned by JPDC staff and volunteers. In addition, an advisory of flower enthusiasts was formed. They began creating an identity for the festival, one that would reflect the history, traditions and values of Baguio and the Cordilleras. In October 1995, the BFF acquired a face. Its official logo was chosen from entries to the annual Camp John Hay art contest. The competition was open to elementary, high school and college students in the city. Its theme revolved around preserving the environment with a special emphasis on the flowers that abound in the Cordillera. The board of judges led by well-known artist Ben Cabrera chose a spray of sunflowers on the corner of the entry submitted by Trisha Tabangin, a student of the Baguio City National High School. Shortly thereafter, a festival hymn was composed by Prof. Macario Fronda, band master of the St. Louis University. To this music was added the rhythm and movements of the Bendian dance, an Ibaloi dance of celebration. The Bendian dance's circular movements speak of unity and harmony among the members of the tribe-themes foreshadowed the coming together of the various sectors of the community to bring the BFF to life. Before 1996 would close, the second BFF was already in the works. Drawing from their experiences from the first festival, the BFF secretariat set out to make the festival "bigger and better." It began with the festival acquiring a local name, Panagbenga, which comes from the Kankanaey term "a season of blossoming, a time for flowering." The name was suggested by Ike Picpican, an archivist and curator of the Saint Louis University Museum. By 1998, the initial community involvement in the first two festivals had matured into a deeper sense of commitment. Various sectors initiated, planned, and executed events on their own, leaving no doubt that the people of Baguio had, indeed, claimed Panagbenga as their very own. As the Baguio Flower Festival evolves, new activities serve as opportunity to enrich the Panagbenga spirit. They infuse the festival with dynamism, perspective and character as well as the unique traditions of each group or individual that makes itself or himself part of it. The flourishing of the community spirit is the most eloquent testimony that the festival has found a home in the hearts and minds of the people of Baguio. (Sun.Star Baguio/Sunnex) | ||
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