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Tuesday, February 21, 2006
Additional activities, new parade schedule for foundation
MORE activities were added to the Baguio Flower Festival Association (BFFA) calendar, including the search for Mr. and Ms. Baguio Flower Festival on Wednesday, FM Panagbenga pop fiesta on February 24, skateboard competition on March 4, and dolls of Japan exhibit from March 3-12.
A compromise has also been reached between the BFFA and the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation (BFFF) for a one-parade-for-one-day rule, with the BFFA having its street dancing cavalcade, band exhibition, and floral float parade at 8 a.m. on February 25 and the BFFF's parade on February 26.
Both parades will traverse main thoroughfares - from Session Road to the Athletic Bowl, Burnham Park.
The BFFA and BFFF earlier scheduled morning and afternoon parades for two consecutive days but now are consigned to merging both their floral and float parades, thus having longer viewing hours for spectators for two days.
Mayor Braulio Yaranon said the guideline for parades was also issued to prevent a probable repeat of "stampedes caused by surging, uncontrolled, massive crowds such as those in religious rites in Iraq, Saudi Arabia, sports events in Europe, and lately, at the Philippine Sports Commission in Pasig City. "
However, Yaranon said preparations and contingency plans are being made and discussed by the ad hoc committee to prevent any untoward incident. "We have to take action as life and safety should be considered," he said.
The mayor cited the availability of the personnel of the Office of Civil Defense (OCD), the Baguio City Police, the Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), the City Disaster Coordinating Council (CDCC), the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and Camp John Hay (CJH) during the activities. He rued the fact that assisting groups in any of the activities would have difficulties in responding if ever an emergency situation would materialize after hours of continuous duty, thus the change in parade schedules.
"All precautions are being done for the good of everybody, to avoid possible risk to life and limb of tourists, participants and spectators," he said.
The provinces of La Union and Pangasinan, as well as Marinduque and Masbate, have earlier committed support for the 11th Panagbenga, with their contingencies and agricultural products as well, adding to the participants and spectators of the parades.
The scheduled events for the festival are Country Garden Fair and Market Expo at the Melvin Jones on March 20; Fun at Fairyland, Children's Playground from February 18 to March 20; Flower Power Grand Parade and streetdancing cavalcade, band exhibition with float parade along Session Road to Athletic bowl; Session Road Pan-aaspulan from February 27 to March 5; and Gabi ng Pasasalamat with fireworks display at the Athletic Bowl on March 12.
Other featured events are Science Centrum Fair at the Baguio Convention Center from January 18 to March 3; Rhythm from the 70's at the Skating Rink on February 18; Search for Mr. And Ms. Baguio Flower Festival at the Baguio Convention Center on February 22; New Zealand Food fair at the Baguio Country Club or SM Atrium from February 23-26; International Plastic Modelers Society exhibit at the Baguio Country Club from February 23-26; Cordillera Cultural Dance Show at the Victory Liner New Terminal on February 24; Panagbenga Pop Fiesta at the Athletic Bowl also on February 24; Bulaklak Rock Battle of the Bands at the Skating Rink on February 25; Local Arts Show at the People's Park from February 27 to March 5; Veteran Records Skateboard Competition at the Skating Rink on March 4; Dolls of Japan Exhibit and Eiga Sai at the Baguio Convention Center Lobby from March 3-12; and Kitefest at the Athletic Bowl on March 12.
(February 21, 2006 issue)
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