Monday, February 28, 2005
Last week of Panagbenga features children

"THE best is reserved for the last," is a saying that aptly describes the final week of Panagbenga as children ages 9-12 take center stage in a series of workshops on culture and the arts dubbed "Bata't Bulaklak" at the Baguio Athletic Bowl starting today until March 2.

A drum and lyre competition and field dancing for the children follows with participants coming from the city's public schools. These activities shall culminate in an exhibit dubbed as Children's Day where flowers used in today's float parade will be used as art materials.

The Market Encounter is presently being held at the City Orchidarium and part of the Children's Playground at Burnham Park where flower-themed items are for sale, highlighted by flower arrangement and landscaping designs. Plant enthusiasts are enjoined to walk through the lanes awash with blooms. The actvity runs from 8AM to 11PM daily until March 6.

From 8AM to 11PM starting today until March 6, a vehicle-free Session Road will bloom anew with trinkets and novelty products for sale, also flower-themed, as promenaders relax at sidewalk cafes.

All activities are expected to draw local and foreign tourists even after the conduct of the main festival activities - the "Flower Power" street dancing and band competition on Saturday and the "Flowers on the Go" float parade at 9 o'clock yesterday morning.

Mayor Braulio Yaranon said as per the report of the Department of Tourism, hotels in the city recorded a 75-80 percent booking last week. There were even reports that private houses were booked for the event.

Month-long flower-themed activities such as landscaping and art competitions are also in place for public viewing in the academe and barangays with handsome prizes to boot.

Friendly competition on horseback among local pony boys shall be conducted at Wright Park on March 5 with notable horseback riding aficionados in attendance.

Ethnic groups and simply the curious and the willing, on the other hand, shall gather at the Melvin Jones grandstand that same day for the "Ipitik," an offering of brewed rice wine, tapuey, taste-testing affair, "pinikpikan cook-off," the third on-the-spot woodcarving open competition, and the 108 gongs parade and exhibition of Cordillera arts and crafts. A search for the master brewer shall also be conducted and the best brewed tapuey shall be adjudged.

Public utility jeepney drivers shall also have their heyday on March 5 as they compete among themselves for the Pilipinas Petron King Challenge crown at the Baguio Convention Center parking lot. The drivers shall prove their mettle in driving skills, promoting safe driving during the activity.

Panagbenga 2005 shall also end with a big bang as fireworks dubbed "Bulaklak sa Langit" shall light up the skies after the closing program on March 6 at 7PM, also at the Baguio Athletic Bowl, after a variety show and awarding ceremonies for winning entries in all events.(Julie Fianza)