- - - Panagbenga 2003 -

News

Wednesday, February 19, 2003
Burnham lake flowerfest makes big splash

THE first Burnham Lake flowerfest, a new feature of the Panagbenga festival, made a big splash over the weekend with a fluvial parade and rowing contests on the man-made lake in the middle of the city's premier park.

Organized by former Councilor Nars Padilla, incumbent Councilor Braulio Yaranon and City Assessor Estrellita Tano, the fluvial fair revived the summer regattas, which Padilla spearheaded in 1968 and 1969.

Flower-bedecked boats competed for attention and prizes in the afternoon fluvial parade graced by Defense Secretary Angelo Reyes, who was the guest of honor in one of the highlights of the month-long festival.

The day opened with a program tribute at 8 a.m. in front of the bust of Daniel Burnham, the world-renowned American architect, who designed the city plan and in whose honor the park was named.

Mayor Bernardo Vergara and his wife, and members of the City Council headed by Vice Mayor Betty Lourdes Tabanda, formally opened the lake flowerfest by cutting the symbolic carrick bend know of friendship.

Baguio boosters, former Vice Mayor Gene de Guia, Baguio Midland Courier Editor Cecille Afable and educator Leonora San Agustin then joined the officials in a floral offering after which the entourage proceeded to the lakeside, where the mayor fired off the boat and bamboo raft races.

Simultaneously with the water races that included a tug-of-war on the rafts, park concessionaires opened their pier decorations on the six docks dotting the lake.

Reyes, who was here to also attend the alumni homecoming of the Philippine Military Academy where he graduated, received the symbolic key to the city from the mayor upon his arrival early in the afternoon.

The fluvial parade drew around 30 entries, including four non-competing floats, with the over-all winners in the four-category contest receiving P25,000, P20,000 and P15,000, respectively for their efforts.

Special prizes were also given to the most artistic, most symbolic and most original designs, said Padilla, who served as master of ceremonies.

While the fluvial parade was on, the Dulaan BCF opened its theatrical performances featuring "Ta Rupam," masks fashioned out by EV Espiritu at the People's Park.

The Baguio Officials' Spouses Foundation led by Architect Vergara and Rebecca Domogan took over the square with a medical-dental mission, while the Department of Health (DOH) will spearhead aerobic exercises at the Athletic Bowl.

Panagbenga takes on a historical dimension on Thursday as the Filipino-Japanese Foundation of Northern Luzon led by Honorary Consul Carlos Teraoka will mark the centennial of the start of the construction of the Kennon Road that led to the city's founding.

Descendants of Japanese workers who built the mountain highway to the city are expected to attend the commemoration rites at the Kennon Viewdeck, where an Igorot theme park built by the foundation will also be inaugurated.

The Kennon centennial program will continue in the afternoon at the St. Louis University gym, where a kimono show will be featured.

On Friday, K-Lite FM will sponsor a cookfest at the People's Park, while the best local bands will take on visiting rock musicians in a "Battle of the Bands" at the Athletic Bowl.

Friday evening is reserved for the quest for "Mr. Panagbenga," a body-building competition at the Baguio Convention Center. CMO/PIO

Session Road in Bloom:

Council okay 7-day closure of Session

MAYOR Bernardo Vergara has approved Resolution 015 of the City Council Committee on Tourism calling for the closure of Session Road from February 23 to March 2 to accommodate the "Session Road in Bloom" activity.

The committee is headed by Councilor Elmo Nevada with aldermen Edilberto Tenefrancia and Antonio Tabora Jr. Nevada said that the Session Road in Bloom is one of the main highlights of the annual festival done at the city's historical thoroughfares, which attracts foreign and local tourists in the city to experience an open market where fresh flowers, ornamental plants and various native products for sale.

"It has been one of the city government's thrusts to enhance the state of the city's local tourism industry by introducing legislation and other imaginative avenues purported to stimulate and enhance local events," he explained.

He stressed that there is need to authorize the closure of Session Road on the said occasion to attract more promenaders and visitors, effectively aiding local businesses and increasing the city's revenue.

15 yr-old boy wins flower painting tilt

FIFTEEN-year old Baguio boy, Airon Joenathan Albino, bested 672 other contestants for the top prize as youthful artists dominated the "Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom" painting contest on February 8 at the Melvin Jones grandstand as they started to portray the Spirit of Panagbenga's 8th edition in canvas.

Councilor Richard Cariño and City Engineer Leo Bernardez, the event organizer, said that the one-day activity was participated in not only by locals but also visitors from as far away as Manila, including one Japanese national.

A student of Baguio City National High School, Russell Anthony Angeles, 16, received the second major prize while Christopher Laguitan, 15, took home the third prize.

Ten received the honorable mention prizes namely: Stephen Diango, 29; Jethro Reuel Mata, 14; Lloyd Cariaso, 14; Christopher de Guzman, 24; John Wayne Avelino, 20; Randy Marcial, 19; Cian Marciano, 21; Paul Bumidang, 14; Sherry Tumaneng, 27; and Juan Manantan, 49.

The top 100 finalists in the painting competition sponsored by Boysen, Phils., will be mounted on poles to showcase their artworks in the grand parade (street dancing) on February 22, while the rest of the paintings will be installed in strategic areas of the city, Bernardez added.

Judges during the long-day competition were veteran artists Maela Jose, Aurora Nickhamp, Fred Nickhamp, Rhona Carantes and Gilbert Alberto, Sly Quintos and R. Rishab.

Wednesday, January 29, 2003
BCPO re-routes traffic for Panagbenga

THE Baguio City Police Office issued the traffic advisory for the upcoming Panagbenga festival.

PASSENGER jeepneys plying the city streets will be re-routed during the Panagbenga parades on February 1, 22 and 23.

Trucks will also be banned from entering the central business district during those days from 6:00 a.m. to 12 midnight.

This was learned from the traffic advisory from the Traffic Management Branch of the Baguio City Police Office headed by Sr. Insp. Elmer Cereno.

The traffic advisory said public utility vehicles coming from Marcos Highway shall take Legarda Road as entry route, right turn Kisad road extension (in front of Max Restaurant) towards Kisad road, right turn to Gen. Lim street, left turn to Legarda Road and then back to Marcos highway to the point of origin.

Scout Barrio, Country Club, Loakan, PMA/Kias, Acupan, Philex trunklines and all PUJs traversing Loakan Road coming from the direction of Loakan and South Drive shall take Upper Session Rd in going to the CBD then left turn to Kalaw 2 (Supreme Court), down U.P. drive, left turn Gov. Pack Rd. towards BGH rotunda then to Military Cut-off as exit route to point of origin.

PNR/Hillside trunkline: Upper Session Rd., left turn to Kalaw 2, down to MOT rotunda towards Harrison road and make u-turn to the center road railing infront of Petron gasoline station in going back to the origin.

Campo Sioco, Gabriela Silang, Dagsian, Puliwes, Camps 7, 6 and 3, Dalicno trunklines and all PUJs traversing Kennon Rd. shall take Kisad Rd as entry point, right turn to Chanum St. (city orchidarium), left turn to Otek St down to Carino St., right turn to Chanum St. in going back to Kisad Rd. to point of origin.

Aurora Hill, Trancoville, Brookside, Holy Ghost, Leonila Hill, Ambiong trunklines traversing Rimando Rd: PUJs taking the route of Bonifacio St. (infront of SLU) shall turn right to Lower Magsaysay Ave., Trancoville towards point of origin while PUJs taking the route of Upper Bonifacion St. shall turn left to Gen. Luna St. going down to Upper Luna (City Lights Hotel) turn left Everlasting Rd. towards Upper Bonifacio St. then back to point of origin.

Trancoville (TMEXODA) should take Lower Magsaysay Ave., turn left to Bonifacio St, right turn going down Rimando Rd. to point of origin.

Pacdal, Mines View, Navy Base, Liteng, Tuding, Lucnab, Baguio Gold and all PUJs traversing Leonard Wood Rd.: PUJs coming from the direction of Leonard Wood Rd. shall take Upper Gen. Luna Rd. (Gualberto's Restaurant) and vice versa to point of origin.

Quezon Hill, Dominican/Lourdes, Irisan, San Carlos Heights, Fairview, Tam-awan, Asin, Nangalisan, Sablan, San Roque, San Luis, San Fernando and all PUJs traversing Naguilian Rd. shall take Naguilian Rd., turn right to Yandoc St., left turn to Chugum St. then left to Upper Abanao St. (infront of BCPO) and back to point of origin.

All public utility buses/public utility jitneys maintaining terminal along Gov. Pack Rd. should take MOT rotunda as entry and exit point.

A "No Parking" policy will also be implemented at the following roads and streets within the CBD: Gen. Luna Rd., Upper Mabini St., Harrison Rd. (right side going to rotunda), Luneta Hill, Upper Session Rd. extension (Kalaw 2, infront of Narda's) going down to Session Rd., Lake Drive(whole stretch of both sides), Bonifacio St (both sides), Kisad (whole stretch both sides) and Legarda Rd. (whole stretch both sides).

All trucks and buses, including special trips, are not allowed to enter the CBD. Unloading areas are designated at the Japanese Garden along Gov. Pack Rd. 2, GSIS Compound along Gov. Center Rd. and South Drive.

It has also been recommended that all PUJ associations schedule only one-half of their total number of jeepneys to go on trip on said occasion.

All PUJs whose loading areas are located within the CBD must be on an express basis and temporarily not allowed to use said loading area during the Panagbenga parade.

Cereno enjoins the cooperation of the riding and driving public so inconvenience will be avoided. (January 28, 2003 issue)

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