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Sunday, February 23, 2003
Panagbenga drum, lyre & street dancing: A sea of colors down Session Road
UNFAZED by the heat and the distance they had to travel, the participants to this year's Panagbenga grand parade danced and marched gamely much to the delight of the crowd.
Led by Mayor Bernardo Vergara and Rep. Mauricio Domogan, Baguioites came in full force to wow residents and visitors alike with colorful costumes and various gimmicks.
Twelve elementary schools, seven high schools, six colleges and universities and six establishments competed in the different divisions for the street dancing and drum and lyre competitions. Credit goes out to those participants from out of town. The Lorma Colleges from San Fernando, La Union competed in the open division for the street dancing.
Spectators saw how these participants gave much time, effort and money into their costumes. Their dances were full of verve. Their hours of practice really paid off as the crowd cheered them on and clapped until their hands ached.
Seen roaming the length of Session Rd. was City Police Director Francisco Manalo Jr., seeing to it that things and the crowd were under control. The mayor himself was on call to see to the parade's success.
The crowd was disciplined, following instructions given out by the police, marshals and volunteers. It seems that the publicity regarding Baguio being the most polluted city in the country today did not discourage the tourists from coming here to join in the revelry.
The parade ended at the Athletic Bowl where a program was held and the final judging took place. After the program, a fireworks display sponsored by the Camp John Hay Development Corporation took place.
Lawyer Damaso Bangaoet Jr. of John Hay Management Corporation, who is the brain behind the Baguio Flower Festival, said that this was going to be one of the most spectacular fireworks display in the city and true to his word it was. "The management of the Panagbenga may be in the hands of the city government now, but we are still here to give our support. The cash prizes for the winners in the different competitions for the month-long festival came from us."
It was expected that President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo will grace the event. However, there were no national government officials present. Maybe today for the grand parade of floats where 26 will vie for top honors.
One can be sure that no one who went to see the parade was disappointed. Maybe frustrated with the thick crowd shoving their way through the sidewalks and competing to get a ride home. On the other hand, the parade was a delight, a welcome break from the hectic lifestyle most are living. The cheerful faces of the participants were more than enough to make the day. (May Anne Cacdac) |
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