Panagbenga, Season of Blossoming
Our city has an annual festivity for flowers called the Panagbenga which translates to "season of blossoming" or "a time for flowering." It is a month-long event celebrated since 1996, and initially known as the 'Baguio Flower Festival' but was renamed 'Panagbenga' the following year.
This event is considered a fusion of blooms and culture, making the city come alive and more colorful than ever. It runs every 1st of February until the first Sunday of March, with different themes year after year. The festivities were canceled during the pandemic (2020-2021) and resumed with limited activities in 2022 and full events returned in 2023.
The Panagbenga was initiated to boost tourism during the most inactive months of the year and as a homage to the region's flowers. Accordingly, it was meant to liven up the city after the devastating quake in 1990.¹
Panagbenga Events
A grand street dancing parade, is one of the events that usually draws thousands of visitors from different parts of the country and even from abroad. This is when participants (schools, organizations, etc) dressed mostly in flower-inspired or cultural customs participate and showcase their talents through street dancing.
There is also the grand float parade where floats (by participating companies, organizations, and private or government agencies) elaborately and creatively adorned mostly with colorful flowers (check the first photo) grace the city's main roads (Session Rd and Harrison) for a parade. Many spectators usually gather along the streets to watch and cheer.
Here's a preview of last year's float parade, courtesy of Rappler on YT.
And there is the so-called "Session in Bloom" where one of the main city streets gets closed to vehicles for a week, turning into a bazaar (market).
Both sides of the road are occupied by stalls displaying different products, paintings, souvenirs, food (of course), and what else. The whole Session Road is usually buzzing with people strolling up and down. Below video by PHDotNet shows a sneak preview.
And of course, the "PanagbengaScapes" can't be missed!
It's a landscaping exhibition where participating agencies, organizations, or groups showcase their floral or gardening creativity in the city park and other designated locations where people can enjoy them.
Exploring the landscaping sites during the weekdays is my favorite because there are fewer people, hence, we get to quietly enjoy beautiful landscapes and see a lot of gardening ideas without brushing shoulders with others.
The photos in the next collage were initially shared 2 years ago on my fictional story, Getting Lost in a Sanctuary.
Apart from these, there are other activities - like the Valentine Series, Bingo Plus Night, school-based competitions (Floral Arrangement), concerts and others.
The month-long event is concluded with a citywide fireworks display, although most spectators flock along Session Road.
Panagbenga is in its 28th year. While the flowers are not really from the city, but mostly from its neighboring town (La Trinidad), the flower festival has become synonymous with the city's identity. So I believe the festivity will carry on for many more decades, and continue to innovate, even when its founder is no more.
Do you have festivals related to flowers too? I invite you to share with us. Check out the MayInLeo for more.
Photos are my own. Videos are not mine, credits to their owners. No copyright infringement intended. 06052024/20:15ph
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We do not have festivals related to flowers in my region but there's this one for food crops.
Your festival of flowers is indeed very colourful and I can see a lot of them so exotic.
Festival for food crops, that's nice too.
Yes, some are quite exotic. Our region is one of the producers of flowers and many new species are being bred here. Thank you !LADY
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Super interesante, me encantó!!!
Joining the festival is like being in Alice in Wonderland full of surprises.
Nice to know about thie month long festival of flowers in your country. We do have here for few days r when some flowers Bloom here once in 12 years.
Flowers bloom once in 12 years, wow that definitely is worth a grand celebration. I did a quick search and the flower is Neelakurinji?
Of course yes. Lavender colour. It is juat spread in acres. Four houra journey by road from my place.
Very rare and fascinating. I wonder how the flowers smell :)
Yes, they are. I haven't been there yet, so Iam not sure. Once it blooms, its live in media attracting tourists.
Baguio City is just near Pangasinan. I'm questioning my life right now about why I never attend the Panagbenga Festival. I just wish that next year I could go to watch the grand float parade and some concerts. 😅
Hehe, maybe you will have the chance next year :)
!LADY
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Hello dear friend @ifarmgirl
You live in a beautiful city, I love this event, and the beautiful things they do with flowers. I loved watching the videos, and your photographs that show the dedication behind making these beautiful montages.
Thank you very much for sharing this tradition
Have a beautiful day
Thank you lots, fren for your appreciation. How they do all those arrangements, especially on the floats, blows my mind honestly :)
Thanks again and here's to wishing you a fantastic day :)
Hello @ifarmgirl, this publication is all beauty
It's very good that in my city they could do something like this, it would be very fun
Yes, it can be fun. You will get to see a variety of flowers :)
!LUV
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Wow
This is a very big festival. I can see how those men are carrying the letters, the beautiful colors and entire atmosphere
I love the song which sounded like a parade tune too
It’s really lovely
Yes. It's a big one as other neighboring towns also participate. The beautiful variety of flowers make the atmosphere colorful :)
Thanks, !LADY 😍
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promoting content on x
https://twitter.com/MunirTahir67705/status/1787539066935816337
Thus the events are more special and people enjoy more when they go to see the beautiful flowers of different colors.
Very much. I think most people (if not all) love flowers :)
!PIZZA
Yeah you are right.
This look really beautiful, I wish we could have these kind of festival in my country too. A time where people comes together to see different flower of different colors.
Festivities like this make people come together and share the joy and fun. Thank you. !PIZZA
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I don't remember any flower festival in my town. Only Flores De mayo, but it's not a flower festival😅. If I were in that place,I would also go and enjoy those beautiful landscape♥️.
Oo din, maganda maglakwatsa pag flower festival, pero d ko feel pag super dami ng tao😁
!LADY
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https://twitter.com/lee19389/status/1787932802446393535
#hive #posh
These types of events and festival is always fun to attend
Wonderful festivity! Sounds very interesting.