Panagbenga Festival in Baguio: Experience Its Vibrant Beauty
In February, the annual Panagbenga flower festival takes place in Baguio City, Philippines. The event, known as Panagbenga Festival, which means “season of blooming” in Kankanaey, embodies the culture, values, and history of Baguio and the Cordilleras.
After the devastating earthquake in 1990, Baguio experienced economic decline. Consequently, to help raise funds for this northern Philippine city, the Baguio Flower Festival was organized in 1995 by the city government to attract more visitors and tourists through its beautiful flower gardens that were once known worldwide.
The festival usually lasts a month, starting with street dancing competitions, followed by floats parading throughout Baguio’s main thoroughfares with flowers on top. Moreover, Panagbenga Festival is one of the most beautiful celebrations in Baguio. Therefore, if you appreciate festivals and flowers, this is the ideal time to conquer the City of Pines.
The History and Significance of the Panagbenga Festival
Panagbenga is the name of a Filipino festival that celebrates the flowers blooming in Baguio City. Every February, it promotes Baguio as a tourist destination and is sometimes referred to as the “Baguio Flower Festival.”
“Panagbenga” means “five colors” in the Kankana-ey language of the Cordilleras. The festival takes place every year to celebrate Baguio’s natural beauty and colorful charm. It features colorful costumes, parades and floats, dances, and musical performances by local and international artists.
This Panagbenga festival is also known as the Flower Festival because of its main attraction—the flower markets, which are complete with various flowers, plants, and other ornamental items that can be a home décor on any occasion.
Discovering the Colorful World of Panagbenga Festival
The Panagbenga Festival is a month-long celebration where the province of Benguet celebrates its own culture, history, and traditions.
- Spectacular Floats and Decoration. The festival draws thousands of tourists from all over the country. Visitors to Baguio around this time do so, among other things, to take in the magnificent floats and decorations put on a show by the city’s various schools, organizations, and local governments.
- Intricate Costumes and dances. The participants wore Benguet’s native attire – the G-string with vest and a spear and shield for the boys and a native woven skirt accented with shiny gold and red cloth for the girls. The costumes are usually elaborate and colorful. They can be of cloth or paper mache.
- Vibrant Street Performance and Parade. People flock to different streets and roads in Baguio to witness the colorful parades of various organizations. The Float Parade and The Street Dance Competition happen in the festival’s third week.
Exploring the Culture and Heritage of Baguio in Panagbenga Festival
The Panagbenga festival in Baguio takes place annually to showcase the culture and heritage of the city. The different schools, organizations, and local government units of Baguio participate in this festival by displaying their unique costumes and dances. Panagbenga Festival also showcases the rich history of Baguio since 1876.
The Panagbenga festival features various activities highlighting local traditions, customs, and practices. Panagbenga Festival in Baguio is also a celebration of the culture and heritage of the city. Baguio is a melting pot of rules and a town that showcases the best of Cordilleran culture.
It is home to people from different ethnic groups and regions. At the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio, performances, street dancing, and other activities emphasize the city’s diverse lifestyles. The festival’s main venue is Burnham Park, where the activities are held for three days starting on the second week of February.
Participating in the Festivities and Enjoying the Floral of Panagbenga Festival
Parade
By simply strolling through Baguio City and taking in all of its charms, you may participate in the celebrations. From the second to the third weeks of February, the Panagbenga Festival is held. You might also visit Burnham Park, where there are many of events going on right now. Street dancing, art displays, and performances by regional artists are just a few of these.
You can stay in one of the hotels in Baguio during Panagbenga Festival to fully enjoy the activities. However, you can also book a hotel room online at Agoda’s website, where many options are available. The festival starts with the Panagbenga Festival Parade of Flowers, which the City Government of Baguio organizes.
Its colorful procession and parade feature various flowers and plants in different designs. The parade starts at 7:00 a.m. from Session Road and ends at Burnham Park, which opens to the public after 11:00 a.m.
Exploring the Best places to Visit Baguio during Panagbenga Festival
While enjoying Panagbenga Festival, tourists should also visit some of the best places in Baguio. Here are some of the best places:
Burnham Park In Panagbenga Festival.
It is a great place to go if you want to visit Baguio. If you plan to go here, ensure that you book
your ticket and accommodation early because the area is usually full of tourists. Summer is the perfect season to travel because the weather is lovely then.
Camp John Hay In Panagbenga Festival.
Camp John Hay is a must-visit place to appreciate Baguio’s splendor. The resort has various facilities and activities perfect for family bonding and relaxation. In addition, you can pitch your tent and enjoy your time in the middle of nature.
Strawberry Farms.
Baguio has a wide variety of strawberries that are delicious and sweet. You can also buy farm strawberry-flavored products, including jams, cakes, and ice cream. Moreover, if you want to experience the real taste of Baguio, you must visit strawberry farms. This city has many strawberry farms, each of which has a unique charm.
The Colors of StoBoSa.
Today, the homes of Stonehill, Botiw-tiw, and Sadjap (StoBoSa); are the huge StoBoSa Hillside Homes Artwork, a life-size art in La Trinidad, Benguet. This magnificent public art is now a popular tourist destination. Additionally, the stunning array of vivid colors that make up the Colors of StoBoSa will undoubtedly catch your eye and tempt you to pause so you can take pictures.
Indeed, the country’s Summer Capital has something for every visitor. There are always things to see and do in Baguio, locations to explore, and meals to have in the City of Pines.
Explore the various aspects of the province outside of the usual tourist spots by taking part in Baguio excursions and activities. You can rent a car or reserve a van to Baguio if you travel in a big group. For a romantic destination, you can check out any honeymoon packages too.
Use online trip booking services for Baguio tour packages or other Philippine tour packages for a hassle-free experience. Enjoy!
