Saturday, February 17, 2007 Panagbenga parades set next week
BAGUIO City’s main roads, parks and tourist spots are expected to be crowded with local and foreign visitors as the Panagbenga’s popular and most awaited streetdancing, flower and float parade will be held on February 24 and 25.
Acting Mayor Reinaldo Bautista Jr. thus asked for indulgence among the general public during this time since the city is considered as a premier tourist spot, crowding could not be avoided. The traffic number coding scheme has also been suspended thus more private vehicles are expected in the streets, the acting mayor added.
The parades, expected to be participated in by the city’s barangays, elementary and high schools, business establishments, socio-civic groups and flower growers, start at 8 a.m. on Saturday and Sunday from atop Session Road and will go down to Magsaysay Avenue and then to Burnham Park.
A variety of shapes, styles, forms and quaint designs of flower floats are also expected with the profusion of blooms, courtesy of green thumbs under shade of green houses, here and in the province of Benguet. The floats are expected to elicit awe from plant enthusiasts among the locals and tourists alike.
Ongoing activities for the festival are the barangay beautification in chosen barangay venues, school-based activities in city schools, a market encounter, International Trade Fair and Mindanao Bazaar, all at Burnham Park, the Baguio Art Galleria painting exhibit at the Baguio Convention Center, a flower trading post at the Art Area Filling Station at Camp John Hay, and the National Schools Press Conference at the Baguio City National High School.
A medical mission also goes on at the Baguio Convention Center on February 19, through the concerted efforts of local doctors and those from the US who deem it proper to share their expertise with Baguio residents. On February 20, 21 and 22, the doctors shall move to Dontogan barangay court, Irisan barangay court and City Camp Proper for more services to the needy.
On February 20 to 21, Jazz Up your Jeans, a bleach art contest is open to those who would want to design their jeans at the SM City Atrium, while on January 23, several activities are scheduled. The Mr. Panagbenga contest in Baguio Convention Center at 7 p.m., the I-FM Pop Fiesta 2 in the Baguio Athletic Bowl at 6 p.m., the Weddings Made in Heaven Fashion Show and Santacruzan at the Baguio Cathedral and Session Road at 4 p.m., the Flower Princess coronation at the FB Building of the University of Baguio at 6 p.m., a Flower Jam at SM/Malcolm Square/People’s Park; and a Weddings Made in Heaven bridal fair at the Multi-Purpose Hall of the Baguio Country Club.
On February 24, other activities lined-up before and after the street parade are the Mr. and Miss Fashionista at the BCC at 6 a.m.; the Handog ng Bombo Radyo at Star FM concert at the Melvin Jones football field at 6 p.m.; the San Miguel and Abanao Square concert street party along Abanao Street; K-lite in Bloom and a spectacular fireworks display at SM City Central Park at 7 p.m..
Other activities after the float parade are the 1st Panagbenga Cheer Dance Festival at the BCC and International Plastic Moulders Society exhibit at the Baguio Country Club.
Session-in-Bloom along Session Road and the Flower Festivity Bazaar at Burnham Park shall start on February 26 after the two parades and will last until March 4.
The works of Dave Leprozo, a local multi-awarded photojournalist; and Harley Palangchao shall also be featured at the SM City Exhibit Center on February 26-28.
Other flower-motif activities are expected for the last week and closing of the festival. (Julie G. Fianza)
