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February 23, 2004 THOUSANDS of spectators, who were disappointed with Saturday's Panagbenga street dancing parade due to heavy rain, finally got the entertainment they were waiting for courtesy of the 30 flower-bedecked floats that colored the city's central business district Sunday. As early as 7 p.m., thousands of visitors started to flock Session and Harrison Roads as they patiently waited for the float parade to start. The Philippine Military Academy (PMA) band took center stage with its peculiar dance steps as band members played the "Otso-Otso" and "Bulaklak" that earned them thunderous claps. City officials, led by Rep. Mauricio Domogan and Mayor Bernardo Vergara, followed the PMA band. City officials expressed relief when more spectators were present in Sunday's float parade. The parade began at Upper Session Road and ended at the Athletic Bowl where the floats were formally presented to the board of judges. Most of the flowers used by the floats were malaysian mums, roses, everlasting, chrysanthemum, cypress, orchids, anthuriums, stargazers and sunflowers. The small floats were those from Speed Detergent, Sinutab, Libresse, AMA Computer College, Cooyeesan, Yakult, Abanao Square, Greenwich, Mirinda and Don Henrico's Pizza. On the other hand, bigger floats were from Samsung, Smart Communications, Globe, Teriyaki Boy, Nestle Ice Cream, Villarica Pawnshop, First Quadrant, Tender Juicy Hotdog, Chowking, Western Union Bank, Baguio Center Mall, EQ Diaper, Bambini, Jollibee, LBC, Silverswan, the Japanese Community, M. Lhuiller, Leisure Coast Resirt, Palmolive, Level-Up-Games.com and SM Baguio. Law suit Meanwhile, lawyer Mia Cawed said Sunday no one can stop her from filing criminal and administrative charges against Baguio officials for allowing thousands of children to continue with the street dancing Saturday afternoon despite downpour. Cawed said she would start receiving complaints from concerned parents or guardians Monday as bases for charges to be filed against city officials led by Domogan, Mayor Vergara and Panagbenga organizers. Should no one file a complaint, Cawed said she wouldl still file criminal and administrative charges against officials and organizers of the ninth Panagbenga Baguio Flower Festival. Cawed said she was disappointed with what transpired Saturday afternoon when officials did not postpone the street dancing desspite the downpour that started minutes before the parade. Sources said many street-dancing participants were not even able to have lunch before joining the parade. Although Domogan pledged to release P1 million as financial and medical assistance to the participants, many parents in the city expressed deep concern over the health of their children. Dr. Cecilia Brillantes, head of the Baguio Health Department City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, feared that the street dancers and members of the different drum and lyre corps might suffer from colds and influenza. Street dancing troupes and drum and lyre corps from 12 elementary schools, seven high schools, eight colleges and universities as well as 16 others in the open category joined the Panagbenga street dancing parade. Harley F. Palangchao/Bernadette Binalay Sunday,
February 22, 2004 LAWYER Mia Joy Cawed, advocate of the rights of women and children, warned on Saturday that Baguio officials, as well as others behind the Panagbenga Baguio Flower Festival, may be held criminally liable for allowing young elementary and high school students to proceed with the grand street parade Saturday afternoon despite heavy rain. This, after the street parade was hampered by downpour at around 1:35 p.m. Saturday, drenching thousands of participants and spectators. Cawed said she will consult other lawyers in the city, for their legal opinion regarding the possible filing of a class suit against these officials, after several children were reported to have been rushed by their parents to different hospitals, when they were found to be shivering with colds right after their participation in the parade. Meanwhile, top city officials pledged that each participant in the street dancing parade will be given P300 each as financial assistance, while Rep. Mauriocio Domogan, on the other hand, pledged another P1 million. An official of the Baguio Health Department expressed deep concern over the health of the thousands of participants, who braved the downpour, and continued with the parade despite the rain. Dr. Cecilia Brillantes, head of the BHD City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit, feared that these street dancers and members of the different drum and lyre corps might suffer from colds, influenza and other respiratory diseases like pneumonia. "The participants should go home immediately and take medicine because of the sickness that they may get from the sudden downpour," Brillantes said. Harley Palangchao and Ernie N. Olson Jr. Sunday,
February 22, 2004 THE show must go on, decided young street dancers and musicians who still participated in Saturday's Panagbenga Baguio Flower Festival street dancing parade despite the downpour. It was the first time heavy rains accompanied the Panagbenga’s grand street parade since the start of the annual festivity nine years ago. The downpour lasted about four hours. The downpour, which started 30 minutes before the street dancing parade, drenched thousands of participants, majority of whom are elementary and high school students from various schools in the city. Officials from the Baguio Health Department had expressed concern over the health of the participants who braved the rain. Aside from thousands of street dancers, thousands of spectators-- both local and foreigners--stayed to witness the street dancing parade while some decided to go home amid heavy traffic outside the Baguio's central business district area where the event was held. Close to half million visitors came to Baguio to witness the activity, city tourism officials said. This year, street dancing troupes and drum and lyre corps from 12 elementary schools, seven high schools, eight colleges and universities, as well as 16 others in the open category joined this Panagbenga main highlight. Those that pitted dancing and musical skills against each other in the elementary category Saturday were contingents from the Doña Aurora H. Bueno Elementary School, Doña Aurora Elementary School, Baguio Central School, Mabini Elementary School, Quezon Elementary School, Rizal Elementary School, the Special Education or SPED Center, St. Louis University Laboratory Elementary School, Josefa Cariño Elementary School, Loakan Elementary School, Aguinaldo Elementary School and Magsaysay Elementary School. In the high school category, those who qualified to participate in Saturday’s contest were students from the Baguio City National High School Main third year level, Irisan National High School, St. Louis University Laboratory High School, Pines City National High School Pinsao Annex, the BCNHS Main fourth year level, the PCNHS Main and the PCNHS Bonifacio Annex. In the tertiary or college category, joining in yesterday were participants from the Philippine Women’s University, Pines City College, AMA Computer Learning Center, Baguio Colleges Foundation University, University of Baguio, Data Center College of the Philippines, St. Louis University and Baguio Central University. Also joining the open category then were street dancing groups from the BCU-BIMAAK, SLU Fusion, Central Guisad barangay, Jollibee Foods Corporation, the Maritime School of SAn Fernando, La Trinidad valley, Abra High School, Greenwich Pizza Corporation with the Doña Nicasia Puyat Elementary School, Kalinga Professional & Students Association Baguio - Benguet chapter, Jadewell Parking Systems Corporation Ati-Atihan troupe, Northern Naguilian National High School, Lorma College, Baguio Korean Extension, McDonald’s Baguio, Galicay and Abante Caoayan from Ilocos Sur. Harley Palangchao Saturday,
February 21, 2004 BAGUIO gears up for throngs of tourists and spectators expected to flock the city to witness the street dancing and float parade, the centerpiece of the month-long Baguio Flower Festival Saturday and Sunday. Mayor Bernardo Vergara said in the past years, the City will implement tighter peace and order measures for the security of residents and visitors who will witness the festivities which, for the past years, have been the biggest crowd-drawing events of the Panagbenga calendar. As the main attraction of the festival, the opening parade will start at 2 p.m. and turn the city's main streets into a riot of colors as residents of all ages take on costumes arrayed with the flowers in the street dancing competition. Street dancing and parade participants will again be divided into four divisions. Each division will start marching from various points and will converge at the top of Session Road to Magsaysay Avenue, will turn left at the Y-shaped overpass, back to Magsaysay Avenue until the U-shaped overpass going to Harrison Road. From there, the parade will turn down Abad Santos Drive to the Athletic Bowl where the presentation will be held. Twelve schools will again vie in the elementary school category, while seven will compete in the high school and eight in the college levels. Sixteen groups will also compete in the open category, which will take long this year with the acceptance of entries from other places. Spectators need not rush home after the street dancing show as the fireworks competition will immediately follow the ground contest at the Athletic Bowl. On Sunday, 26 beautifully decorated floats will take over the main streets beginning at 9 a.m., winding up the at the football grounds for the drum and bugle corps competition. The float contest will be divided into two categories this year - the small and big floats. Vergara said he expects the city police to mount a new special security and peace and order plan aimed not only to ensure the safety of the participants, guests, and visitors but also to work for smooth traffic flow during these activities. Various volunteer and communication groups are expected to assist the city police force in the campaign. Vergara earlier enjoined the cooperation of other sectors, particularly the transport and business groups catering to tourists here. "Since you are the forefront of our tourism industry, we trust that you will treat our visitors with utmost courtesy and honesty as you mirror the image of our entire city," the mayor told businessman, vendors, and drivers. He said abuses and illegal trade practices will be closely monitored and will not be tolerated by the city government, especially since the Panagbenga is an important event for the city. Vergara said instead of pursuing selfish intentions, all sectors must work together to ensure the success of the event, which will redound the benefit of all. He added that various Panagbenga committees have been coordinating with concerned agencies to tackle other festival requirements like accommodation, water and power supply. Now in its ninth year, the Panagbenga celebration began here last February 1 featuring 23 events including four new activities that run in various venues, including session road, the city's main street , Camp John Hay and historic Burnham Park until Feb. 29. The Feb. 1 opening ceremonies at the city athletic bowl served as the pre-judging of all group contestants in the street dancing and parade, with the top performers qualifying for the grand parade on Feb. 21. That day, the 21-day market encounter was launched at the nearby Burnham Park where the whole football grounds showcases flower arrangement and landscaping competitions, floral and ethnic-designed products. Landscape and floral competitions also opened in the barangays, schools, and business establishments, the winners of which will be honored during the awards ceremony at the closing program on Feb. 29. Melvin Jones grounds was again awash with blooms depicting the theme of the festival under the carpet of flowers project also put on display beginning Feb. 1. Fireworks display capped the opening day activities, which also lent a prelude to the fireworks display competition, a new activity, slated Saturday. Last Feb. 7, the ninth Panagbenga Golf Fest opened and wound up the following day, Sunday at Camp John Hay and the Baguio Country Club. The "Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom" was also held last Feb. 7 when artists captured the concept of Panagbenga through floral paintings that are now displayed in strategic areas of the city. Last Feb. 13, residents got a glimpse of the colorful and meaningful costumes donned by pupils from the various public and private elementary schools in the city during the first-ever Burnham Park Flowermania and children's day, the latest addition to the Panagbenga revelries. On Feb. 14, the fluvial parade and competition fired off at the Burnham Lake. Only on its second year, the parade featured boats lavishly decorated with flowers depicting the theme of the Panagbenga. The following day, residents and tourists were again treated to a day with horses during the "Pony Boys Day" equestrian show featuring gymkhana or games on horse back events and races that re-live Baguio's formative years when horses were the native's means of transport. On the same day, the 14-day flower fest arts and cultural show unfolded at the Malcolm Square, Botanical Garden and Sunshine Park. The "Mr. Panagbenga" physique competition took centerstage last night, underscoring the city's contributions to body-building as a sport. The Baguio Association of Restaurants (BAR) will also lend additional entertainment this weekend with its Shake-Baguio-Shake treat at the People's Park. From Feb. 23-29, the main street will be closed to vehicles to allow thousands of revelers to promenade in the "Session Road in Bloom" feature. Sidewalk cafes, flower-inspired trinkets and novelty products will be installed along the inclined stretch, with musicians dishing out instant concerts. The Search for Flower Queen, which revived the Ms. Panagbenga tilt staged during the formative years of the festival, will take centerstage on Feb. 25 at SM City Baguio. Another new activity dubbed "The Panagbenga Jeepney King Challenge" featuring the search for jeepneys with the most colorful rooftop design will kick off on Feb. 28 at Burnham Park. The festival will close on Feb. 29 with the BFF National Half-Marathon which will end at the Athletic Bowl at 11 a.m. At 1 p.m., the closing program will be held at the Athletic Bowl with which will be capped by another fireworks display. Aileen Refuerzo and Ramon Dacawi Thursday,
February 19, 2004 FIVE of the country’s top fireworks and pyrotechnics manufacturers are expected to vie for cash stakes in the very first Panagbenga Baguio Flower Festival (BFF) fireworks competition scheduled at the Baguio Athletic Bowl on Feb. 21. "This will be the very first of its kind here because, although we have been having fireworks and pyrotechnic displays here in the city on some special occasions, it will be the very first time that an actual competition will be conducted," said Councilor Elmer Datuin, this year’s BFF committee on fireworks chair. Datuin said judges will be looking for the best choreographed and most colorful firework sequences. "Mahilig kasi ang ating mga residente dito sa fireworks, so after the Panagbenga grand parade, we will be giving them a nice treat by conducting a contest to show them what the best of our country’s manufacturers can show them and our visitors," he said, adding that the winner will be the one with the best audience impact. Datuin said participants to the fireworks contest will be given seven to eight minute for presentation. Cash prices of P50,000, P30,000 and P20,000 await the top three winners in the fireworks display contest. Ernie N. Olson Jr. Monday,
February 16, 2004 NOT even the gloomy weather could stop the fluvial parade of the Burnham Lake Flower Mania 2004 from sailing on this past weekend, which organizers said was a success after it attracted over a thousand participants and more spectators to the festivities held at the city's premier park. The fluvial parade was categorized into four: school category, the barangay, the concessionaire category and the commercial establishment open category. To add to local revenue, only boats-for-hire at Burnham Lake were used in the contest. Of the 20 participants of the boat parade, 11 were declared winners. In the school category, the University of Baguio took home the first prize of P20,000, while Baguio City National High School bagged the second prize of P15,000. Sto. Rosario Valley also bagged the first prize in the barangay category worth P20,000, Bakakeng Central (2nd) got P15,000 while Trancoville (3rd) received P10,000. In the boat concessionaire's category, the blue team bagged the first prize, orange team bagged second place and yellow team took third place. The Globe Telecom float, on the other hand, bested other entries in the commercial category, followed by Jollibee and Mirinda in second and third place, respectively. The Nativity float also bagged a special prize. Criteria for judging included visual impact with the use of fresh flowers (60 percent), originality of design (10 percent), symbolism of the design (10 percnet), and artistry and craftsmanship (20 percent). The fluvial parade, which started last year as one of the highlights of the Panagbenga, is now considered as one of the biggest events in the annual celebration of the Baguio Flower Festival. For contests held after the opening program on Friday, street children under the care of the City Social Welfare and Development Office and students of Phases Learning Center won the top three prizes in the costume competition of both the elementary and high school categories. In the clown and balloon costume competition, participants numbered 5, 31 and 11 won the top three prizes, respectively. Students of Phases Learning Center also bagged all top three prizes in the Halloween costume contest, while day care pupils won the top five prizes in the "Pasko Na, Sinta Ko" costume competition. From among the stiltwalkers in the "kadang-kadang" race, students of the BCNHS numbered 2, 17 and 20 romped off with the top three prizes. In the wheelbarrow flower float contest, entries numbered 5, 1 and 3 took the top three prizes, respectively. A flower-costumed puppy with a mixed Dalmatian bloodline took the first prize of P1,500 in the pet show contest, while a Rottweiler in a Hawaiian shirt took second place to get a P1,000 cash prize. In the bicycle exhibition, Paul Jeremiah Rodriguez, Salvador Navarro and Daniel Garcia rode home with the top three prizes. For those on go-karts, the top three winners in the boys' 50-meter race were Larry Limbanan, John Joshua Oropesa and JR Fernando; while the girls 50-meter race winners were Carlene Bugtog, Micaela Braro and Keya Marie Quartero. Joshua Oropesa, JR Fernando and JR Bugtong also took the top awards in the 100-meter race for boys; just as Carlene Bugtong, Micaela Braro and Keya Marie Quartero took the plums in the 100-meter race for girls. In the sidecar event, Marvin Padilla, Robert Buktot and Reynaldo Bedonia won the top three prizes in the 100-meter race for boys. From among the "kadang-kadang" races, Jun Basilio, Mark Edmund Lukenario and Oliver Ongat got the top prizes in the 50-meters for boys; while Jun Basilio, Jamil Regoso and Mark Edmund Lukenario topped winners in the 100-meters for boys. From among the girls, Gilian Benlingan, Darlin Toclo and Grachelle Amayasen took the top awards in the 200-meters race; while Gilian Benlangen, Kate Megar and Rachel Guimbatan rode off as winners in the 100-meter event. In the "komboy kariton" races, Sammy Timbol, Alex Inciso and Jun Caranto won the 100-meters; the groups of Rodel Zulueta, Santi Supnet and Sanny Timbol won the 200-meter relay with one-man load; the groups of Mario dela Peña, Santi Supnet and Rodel Zulueta won the 200-meter relay with a two-man load; and the groups of Rene Viray and Alex Inciso won the 200-meter relay with a four-man load. Mayor Benardo Vergara said the Panagbenga celebration creates jobs and boosts businesses in the city. He said that the occasion also multiplied the number of tourist arrivals which reportedly reached over a million last year. "Unity, team work and cooperation have made the Panagbenga Fluvial Parade successful," Vergara said. Jane Cadalig/Violy Escartin/Rose Marie Sacla Monday,
February 16, 2004 BIG-TIME musclemen will flock to the city on Feb. 20, to flex brawns and challenge local bets for the much awaited Mr. Panagbenga Invitational Bodybuilding Championship at the Baguio Convention Center. More than 50 ironmen from Manila, Pampanga and Olongapo City are expected to draw blood in this annual spectacle officially sanctioned as a feature of the city's Flower Festival celebration. This time, the Baguio City Government has given its blessings to the Baguio Fitness Horizon, led by former television muscle hunk Troy Mencio and veteran ironman Gregorio Cariño Jr., to organize the event in a bid to make this summer capital the bodybuilding mecca of northern Luzon. Up for grabs during the contest, which starts at seven in the evening, are cash prizes, wood-carved trophies and gift packages in five weight divisions. The top winners in the novice, flyweight, bantamweight, lightweight and openweight categories will win P5,000 each and advance to the final round to determine the over-all Mr. Panagbenga with a take home prize of P10,000 and a five foot made-to-order trophy especially crafted by Asin's woodcarvers. City auditor and contest chair Fernando Somera said the gates are free to the public. "The city wants to promote the sport and give opportunity to our local bodybuilders to show their wares." Preparations for the event started on a high note when muscle experts gave high fives to the organizers' decision to have the photo of muscle superstar Alfie Cornel grace the center of the contest poster distributed to all health gyms. The move was considered an innovation from previous contest posters that showcased the poses of foreign musclemen lifted from bodybuilding magazines. Cornel, now based in the United States, has won medals for the national flag as a four-time member of the Philippine national bodybuillding team. He had successful stints in the Souteast Asian Games. Kapangan champion Cesar Lokines, the reigning Mr. Baguio and Mr. Benguet titlist, is expected to be a marked man during the contest as upcoming bodybuilders from Manila are determined to derail his bid for a grandslam. Mencio, however, said first to third placers in any Mr. Philippines contest are disqualified from joining. Current Mr. Philippines title holder Dondon Curtona will be the guest poser. Delmar Cariño Thursday,
February 12, 2004 EIGHTY art enthusiasts bested 610 others in the just-concluded on-the-spot painting and freestyle flower arrangement contest at the Athletic Bowl Saturday, revealed contest results released recently. Artists took part in the one-day amateur exhibition which featured painting categories using different mediums: crayons, watercolor and oil paint or cray pass, includinng the fresh and dry flower arrangement category. Exhibition chair Betty Fangasan of the Office of the Social Welfare and Development, said "bringing out the students interest and hidden talents was one of the event's objectives." In the elementary level, winning contestants in their respective categories are: Watercolor - Marie Normanne Cabrera of Quezon Elementary School ranked (1st place); Jenifer Dela Cruz of Baguio Central School (2nd place); and Camile Garcia of Doña Aurora Elementary School (3rd place). Consolation prizes were given to Sandra Cahulugan of Dona Aurora Elementary School, Jenics Lyn Culaton of BCF, Michael Angelo Acurin of Lucban Elementary School, Arjay Culaton of BCF, and Brill Degay Daupan of Baguio Patriotic School. Crayon category - Angelo Tomilas of Doña Aurora Elementary (1st place); Romy Angel of Easter College (2nd place); Gemmalyn Dalisay of Josefa Cariño Elementary School (3rd place). Cedi Carias of Sped, Mary Joyce Rosete of Quezon Elementary School, Agatha Christine Ferrer of Baguio Central School, Juhnry Gabertan of Camp 7, and Kymjie Karl Balangue of Loaken Elementary School took home the consolation prizes. Oil pastel/craypas - Trisha Ann Apigo of Josefa Cariño Elementary School (1st); Roldan Cuyangoan of Lindawan Elementary School (2nd); and Karen Calyaen of Dontogan Elementary School (3rd) with Christopher Ren Tabayag of Quezon Elementary School, Jose Malubay Jr. of Laurel Elementary School, Cheyenne Anne Guerero of Bonifacio Elementary School, Janine Faye Bagulero of Baguio Central School, and Precious Delos Reyes of Laurel Elementary School as consolation winners. Fresh flower arrangement - Kathryn Therese Chatto of SLU Laboratory Elementary School (1st place); Abigail Marigza of Mary Immaculate Elementary School (2nd place); and Marjorie Mariano of Doña Aurora Elementary School (3rd place). Consolation prizes went to Anne Faye Handig of Baguio Central School, Fidel Igama of Mary Immaculate Elementary School, Ruebelle Biasura of Dontogan Elementary School, Michelle de Castro of Josefa Cariño Elementary school, and Shieldera Lynn Yagyagen of Mary Immaculate Elementary School. Dry flower arrangement - Marrah Atolba of San Vicente Elementary School (1st place); Angelica Veloso of Mary Immaculate Elementary School (2nd place); and Adrian Mangohig of San Vicente Elementary School (3rd place). Consolation prize winners are: Marguerite Ashbey of Mary Immaculate Elementary School, Rona Lea Lay-at of Sto. Tomas Elementary School, Jessah Anne Mai Cabuco of Mary Immaculate Elementary School, Stephanie Duenas of Doña Aurora Elementary School, and Brandy Jose of Pinsao Elementary School. High school students also participated in the event. Watercolor category - Katrina Lopez of Baguio City National High School (BCNHS)-main (1st place); Kym Arlan Yambot of BCNHS-main (2nd place); and Mercy Cos of Pines City National High School (PCNHS)-Magsaysay Annex (3rd place). The consolation prizes were awarded to Kirk John Yapyapan of PCNHS, Mary Rose dela Cruz of Irisan National High School, Daniel Ariel Tan of BCNHS, Allenburg Peria of BCNHS, and Jhaven Mae Sebastian of BCNHS. Crayon category - Regine Roxanne Rivero of UB Science High (1st place); Raphael Carlo Angeles of BCNHS (2nd place); and Luigi Gian Gallardo of BCNHS (3rd place). Consolation prizes went to Elly Malia of BCNHS Roxas Annex, Shamer Laguinday of PCNHS, Abegail Chumapoy PCNHS-main, Leslie Jane Sorian of BCNHS Rizal Annex, and Fritz Turqueza of BCNHS. Oil pastel/craypas - Christine Faye Rosete of BCNHS Main (1st place); Neil Simon Somintac of BCFU High School (2nd place); and Hazel Alegria of BCFU High School (3rd place) while Jaypee Castro of BCNHS San Vicente Annex, Lovelyn Castillo of BCNHS Roxas Annex, Jerson de Castro of PCNHS Pinsao Annex, George Fulgaon of PCNHS Main, and Jerry Lanuza of Dona Aurora High School grabbing the consolation awards. Fresh flower arrangement - Leah May Basal of PCNHS Quezon Hill Annex (1st place); Eden Grace Mariano of BCNHS Main (2nd place); and Manny Tuagon of BCNHS Loakan Annex (3rd place). Consolation winners are Ma. Jeamy Buan of PCNHS Main, Elne John Quisora of BCNHS Loakan Annex, Adela Wayas of BCNHS Rizal Annex, Jed Kezia Sevilla of PCNHS Main, and Maria Lourdes Suba of PCNHS Main. Dry flower arrangement - Flint Lee of BCNHS Loakan Annex (1st place); Darwin Mendoza of BCNHS Loakan Annex (2nd place); and Mia Umaming of BCNHS Fort Del Pilar Annex (3rd place). Consolation prize winners: Judy Banusan of BCNHS San Vicente Annex, Michelle Genevieve Simangen of BCNHS Loakan Annex, Michael Domingo Of BCNHS Loakan Annex, Katrina Maye Dayday of PCNHS Main, and Anthony Wadiwad of BCNHS Roxas Annex. RS Sunday,
February 8, 2004 THE City's Athletic Bowl blossomed Saturday as young artists showed off their talents in an on-the-spot amateur painting and free-style flower arrangement exhibition. Elementary and high school students from both the public and private schools let their creative juices flowed in three mediums for the on-the-spot painting contest: the watercolor, crayons, and oil pastel/cray pass mediums. The flowers, on the other hand, were arranged into two styles--fresh and dry flower arrangements. The contest is an added feature of this year’s school-based activities and the "Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom" event wherein amateur and seasoned artists paint the floral theme of the festival, with their works to be installed in strategic areas of the city to add hype to the celebration. "Joining in such activities, you are able to express what you are and show your greater love of nature," Vice Mayor Betty Lourdes Tabanda told the promising artists. "Making a work of art, you are also doing your part in making this festivity a success." Participants were given an hour and a half to create their masterpieces. With the theme "Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom", the amateur artists’ works would be judged based on its impact and design (40 percent), balance and harmony (30 percent), workmanship (20 percent) and, relevance to the theme (10 percent). Criteria for the flower arrangement, meanwhile, include impact and design (50 percent), balance and harmony (30 percent), use of indigenous materials (10 percent) and relevance to the theme (10 percent). Contestants were limited to five from each school. Participating schools were SLU, BCF University, Easter College, UB Science High, Mary Immaculate School, Baguio Patriotic School, Pines City Colleges, Baguio Central National High School (BCNHS) and its annexes, Pines City National High School (PCNHS) and its annexes, SPED and Irisan High School. "We allowed the event this year to be participated in by the different private and public schools all in one venue for us to be able to minimize our time and our financial resources. Along with it, we want that student-participants develop camaraderie among themselves," said event coordinator Jun Bacbac. The paintings will be put on display at the City Hall lobby starting Monday. Rosemarie Sacla and Violeta Escartin Friday,
February 6, 2004 THE ninth Panagbenga Baguio Flower Festival shall feature a fireworks competition at the Baguio Athletic Bowl on Feb. 21, just after the grand parade and street dancing contest. Councilor Elmer Datuin, committee chairman for the fireworks display, explained that the added attraction is the first in the history of the flowerfest. Datuin said thegrandiose fireworks display and competition, an innovation patterned after observing the Sinulog festival of Ceb, is expected to elicit awe from the Baguio audience. Five of the country’s biggest fireworks manufacturers have agreed to participate in the event, which shall be judged according to creativity and originality, among other criteria. "The contest shall feature variously designed pyrotechnics, which is expected to light up Baguio’s skies for at least an hour, since each participant shall be given eight minutes for the presentation of their best wares," Datuin also said. Precautionary measures such as the presence of fire trucks and a cordon along the area shall be the responsibility of the Baguio Fire Departmet, Datuin revealed. He said the competition will also help boost the pyrotechnics industry. Julie Fianza Friday,
February 6, 2004 THE Baguio City Government would suspend the implementation of the City’s vehicle number-coding scheme in line withvarious activities for the ninth Baguio Flower Festival this month. Mayor Bernardo Vergara recently issued an administrative order to suspend the traffic scheme on Fridays and Mondays of the month, specifically on Feb. 6, 9, 13, 16, 20, 23, 27 and on March 1. He said that various Panagbenga activities are scheduled on those days with the expected heavy influx of local and foreign visitors. "There is a need to allow residents and visitors alike to have access and mobility in and around the city on Fridays and Mondays after the programs, for them to enjoy these events, visit places of interest, and avail of urban services in the city," the mayor said. In a separate order, the mayor also granted the request of members of the city’s Rotary Clubs, for their exemption from the traffic alleviation scheme from March 1-7 for the Rotary International District 3782 District Conference in the city. The City Government had earlier declared March 1-7 as Rotary Week in the city as a token of gratitude to the Rotarians for holding their conference annually in the city. The coding break is based on the Baguio City Number-Coding Scheme that allows suspension of the measure for observance of major official celebrations for specific period. Aileen P. Refuerzo Thursday,
February 5, 2004 THIRY-two barangays in Baguio City are joining the landscape contest as part of the Panagbenga 2004. The city will give a total of P112,000 for winners in the garden category with P35,000 for the first prize, P22,500 for the second prize, P12,000 for third prize, P9,500 for fourth prize, P8,000 for fifth prize, P7,000 - sixth placer, P6,000 - seventh placer, and P4,000 each as consolation prizes to three other barangays. In roadside landscaping category, a total of P74,000 await winners broken down as: P18,000 for the first prize, P12,500 for second prize, P10,000 for third prize, P6,500 -fourth placer, P6,000 for fifth and sixth placers and another P4,000 as consolation prizes. Participants to the garden-type category should ensure that their entries be more than two meters in width while for the roadside category, the garden should have a maximum of two meters in width and not less than 10 meters in length. Hall of Fame barangays or those who already won the contest for three consecutive years are no longer eligible to participate in this year’s competition. The entry should be located within the territorial jurisdiction of the participating barangay in an appropriate lot except when two or more adjoining barangays agreed to develop and submit one common entry situated within their boundaries. Entries should also have photos taken before, during and after the landscape is completed. Around 22 barangays manifested intention to participate in the roadside category while 17 others are for the garden category with Greenwater as the first to submit the required application. Lawrence Adube of the city’s Barangay Affairs said the contest aims to beautify the barangays of Baguio in a bid to draw more tourists here as well as to determine the places that need improvement. Participating barangays will be judged starting on February 23. On the 28th, the judges will decide the winners in each category, the awarding of which will be done the following day. Lily Rodriguez Thursday,
February 5, 2004 TWELVE of 21 elementary schools in Baguio City passed the stringent criteria for participants to the Panagbenga Baguio Flower Festival’s most vibrant and colorful component of the annual grand parade, the simultaneous street dancing and drum-and-lyre competitions. The BFF grand parade, which showcases the best that local residents and visiting participants can bring out in terms of gaily-adorned and multi-colored costumes, as well as synchronized gyrating street dances, has been considered to be among the major highlights of the annual festivity, along with the parade of floats and the Burnham Lake fluvial fest. These three activities are scheduled on February 21, 22 and 14, respectively. Making it to the “Magic 12” in the street dancing and drum-and-lyre competitions this year are the St. Louis University Laboratory Elementary School, the Josefa Cariño Elementary School, the Mabini Elementary School, the Doña Aurora H. Bueno Elementary School, the Doña Aurora Elementary School, the Special Education Center, the Loakan Elementary School, the Magsaysay Elementary School, the Aguinaldo Elementary School, the Rizal Elementary School, the Quezon Elementary School and the Baguio Central Elementary School. "But, as far as we are concerned, the ranking of all of these 12 schools are still equal. The members of the board of judges still have to rank them during the grand parade on February 21," a source clarified immediately after the elimination round late Sunday afternoon. The source said the participating pupils from all 12 semi-finalists schools are already entitled to a cash prize of P25,000 each and that the final judging will only distinguish which schools should be awarded the first, second and third prize trophies. Other participants to the street dancing and drum-and-lyre contest who were not able to make it to the semi-finals this year are the Baguio City Arts and Correspondence School, the Alfonso Tabora Elementary School, the San Vicente Elementary School, the Roxas Elementary School, the Bonifacio Elementary School, the Don Mariano Marcos Elementary School, the Dontogan Elementary School, the Fort del Pilar Elementary School and the Lucban Elementary School. Ernie Olson Jr. Monday,
February 2, 2004 MELVIN Jones football grounds turned festive Sunday with the start of the Market Encounter, one of the highlights of the Panagbenga revelry. Organizers said the Market Encounter is open until Feb. 22. "People
can delight in the evolving designs of the landscapes which have become favorite
backdrops for souvenir photos," they said. It is also an opportunity to boost tourism in the north through the various products on sale, they said. At the heart of Melvin Jones is a "carpet of flowers" which organizers said concretizes the theme "Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom." The display was designed by the Office of the City Architect and put into effect by Efren Chato of King Louie Farms. Sunday,
February 1, 2004 PANAGBENGA 2004, the ninth edition of the city’s month-long flower festival, opens at 9:00 a.m. Sunday with a parade that serves as a preview of its street dancing competitions. Children’s drum and lyre and dancing groups from 21 elementary schools, together with contingents from five high schools, three colleges and 10 universities entered in the category will display their routines in the parade from Session Rd. to the city Athletic Bowl. Only 12 of the participating elementary schools will make it to the finals during the grand parade that is expected to draw a crowd of over one million on Feb. 21. Mayor Bernardo Vegara, who took the helm of the preparations last year from Damaso Bangoet Jr. of the Camp John Hay, will formally declare Panagbenga 2004 open during the ceremony after the parade. To be launched Sunday are the "Market Encounter" flower garden and landscaping competitions at the football grounds, the clean-and-green competitions among barangays and other institutions, and school-based activities. Opening day will also include the beautification contest among tourism-related establishments headed by Tourism Regional Director Pura Molintas, the Carpet of Flowers and the "Session Road in Bloom" along the city’s main street. Day 1 will end with an evening display at the Athletic Bowl, courtesy of the committee led by Councilor Elmer Datuin and City Fire Marshall Constantine Supanga. Datuin said an open fireworks display competition has also been set on Feb. 21, after the grand parade. On tap next Saturday will be the "Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom" when artists capture in paintings the concept of Panagbenga, a native term meaning a season of bloom. The activities shift to sports next week-end with the BFF Open Golf Tournament being arranged by Councilor Federico Mandapat Jr. and Public Utility Services Officer Oscar Flores at the Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club fairways. Panagbenga peaks anew on Feb. 13 to 14 with the Burnham Park Flower Fest and competition at the lake of the main park. Wency Cornejo, Mark Velasco and Streamline will celebrate Valentine’s Day with another concert at the Malcolm Square. Daring pony boys and horse breeders will have their day on Feb. 15 with a gymkhana or equestrian show featuring fancy riding, races and other games on horseback at the Athletic Bowl. The thrilling show being prepared by the committee led by Councilor Leonardo Bayan and the pony boys will be capped by a folk and country music concert by local musicians. From Feb. 15 to 29, visitors will have a glimpse into the rich Cordillera culture through dance, music, and ethnic regalia at an arts and cultural show at the Malcolm Square, Botanical Garden and Sunshine Park. February 20 is reserved for the "Mr. Panagbenga" body-building competition, together with the First Baguio Dancesport Competition and the fireworks competition. Tourism is expected to be at its height on Feb. 21 when the grand parade unfolds. On the sides will be a Freeverse and Fashion Show, the open billiards tournament and the "Shake Baguio Shake" of the Baguio Association of Restaurants. Floats and brass bands take over the main street on Feb. 22, highlighted by a drum and bungle corps competition. The search for the 2004 Flower Queen will be hosted by Shoemart on Feb. 25, while "Session Road in Bloom" will be on full-blast from Feb. 23 to 29. Shell Petroleum has entered the picture this year with its "Jeepney King Challenge" on Feb. 28, together with Viva Entertainment which has scheduled the concerts to be topped by a show by Viva Hot Babes on the same day. The BFF Half-Marathon, which also features 10 and 5-kilometer fun runs will cap the sports events on Feb. 29, according to Councilor Faustino Olowan. Panagbenga will formally end on Feb. 29 with field demonstration and a silent drill exhibition by the Philippine Military Academy cadets. Ramon Dacawi Sunday,
February 1, 2004 BAGUIO officials are now closely coordinating with the Baguio Water District (BWD) to iron out contingency measures with regard the reported possible water crisis during the month-long celebration of the Baguio Flower Festival to kick off Sunday. City Administrator Jose Taguba said the Office of the City Mayor initially met with BWD general manager Teresita de Guzman who assured that the water firm will do its best to supply the needs of the residents and tourists alike. It was reported that BWD has a daily shortfall of 20,000 cubic meters of water. BWD is supplying 35,000 cubic meters a day, but the actual demand was pegged at over 50,000 cubic meters. Water demand could reach 90,000 cubic meters a day during the Panagbenga, Holy Week, Christmas, and other tourist-drawing events. Meanwhile, Taguba said it's all systems go for the ninth staging of the Panagbenga, the top crowd-drawing annual festival in the city. Taguba hopes that tourists would not complain about water shortage, especially in hotels, inns and transient houses. The water shortage in Baguio has worsened following the continuous depletion of the water volume in the Mt. Santo Tomas water catchment brought about by the dry season. The Mt. Santo Tomas water basin could store as much as 500,000 cubic meters during the wet season. At present, the BWD is also rushing the completion of the rehabilitation of existing water pipelines in the city before May. Meanwhile, water shortage is expected to hound residents and tourists even until the Holy Week. The rehabilitation of the existing water pipelines is part of the three major components of the P560-million water project in Baguio. Harley F. Palangchao Sunday,
February 1, 2004 THE Baguio City Government will sponsor a grand fireworks competition at the Athletic Bowl during this month's flower festival. Councilor Elmer Datuin, committee chair of fireworks display for Panagbenga 2004, said this was one of the matters agreed on during the general committee meeting early last month. An innovation of the flower festival activities during the recent years wherein instead of the usual fireworks display during the opening, closing ceremonies and after the grand parade, Datuin said a grand pyrotechnics contest shall be done after the parade. He added that five of the biggest fireworks dealers of the Philippines shall be contacted for the purpose. "The contest shall feature various designed pyrotechnics which shall light up the skies of Baguio for almost two hours," Datuin added. Patterned after his observation of the Sinulog festival, Datuin said that the competition shall help boost the pyrotechnics industry. Julie Fianza Saturday,
January 31, 2004 AS BAGUIO City braces itself for its biggest annual crowd-drawing event--this year's Baguio Flower Festival--organizers said they will also have to contend with the expected arrival of national candidates during the month long celebration. Most of the candidates will take the campaign trail here during the grand parade and street dancing competition, the festival centerpiece set on Feb. 21. Dubbed "Panagbenga," an Igorot term for a season of blooming, the February festival grand parade last year drew a million people from all over. Workers had to rope both sides of Session Road, the city's main street, for crowd control. So as not to disrupt the order of the street show, organizers said guests will be asked to follow rules. They can wave to the throng of spectators but will be advised against shaking hands with voters or having their supporters distributing leaflets or other campaign materials along the parade route. The same rules will apply to local candidates who will join the festivities. Schedule of activities are as follows: opening ceremonies on Feb. 1; fluvial float parade from Feb. 13 to 14; and the pony boys' day on Feb. 15. On Feb. 7, budding and established artists will capture the festival concept of flowers in bloom in a mass painting exhibition. A painting contest dubbed "Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom" will also take place. Participants of the Drum Lyre and Street Dancing Competition, one of the highlights of the festival, will take to the streets on Feb. 21. The Parade of Floats would be held on the 22nd. With the "Session Road in Bloom", Baguio's main street, Session Road, would be closed to vehicular traffic to accommodate sidewalk and a sidewalk market with flower-inspired arts and crafts items. The stalls would also line the Market Encounter area at the Melvin Jones Football Field. Included in the festivities is the Golf Tournament on Feb. 7 and 8 to be held at Camp John Hay and Baguio Country Club. The Pony Boys will hold a gymkhana and an equestrian show at the Athletic Bowl on Feb. 15. The PMA Cadet Corps will also hold a "Silent Drill Exhibit". A new highlight of the 2004 Panagbenga will be the Grand Fireworks Competition to be held after the Parade of Floats. The crowd is expected to be at its thickest until late in the evening during "Session Road in Bloom" on Feb. 23 to 29, when the main street is turned into a promenade area where flower related trinkets and other novelty products are displayed alongside sidewalk coffee shops. Closing ceremonies coupled with fireworks display will be held on Feb. 29. PIA | |||
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