By Zaldy Comanda
BAGUIO CITY — The most awaited citywide party of the year begins and pumping up the first day of the “Panagbenga Festival” today were 11 drum and lyre bands on parade with their street dancing contingents.
PANAGBENGA BLOOMS – Eleven elementary schools drum and lyres streetdancers compete with each other during the grand opening celebration of 23rd Panagbenga Festival today in Baguio City. (Zaldy Comanda/ Manila Bulletin)
Panagbenga, a Kankanaey word which means “flowers blossoming,” opened with a parade at 8 a.m. from upper Session Road down to Magsaysay Avenue going to Harrison Road towards the Baguio Athletic Bowl for a showdown of the elementary category of the drum and lyre and street dancing competitions.
Participants wearing colorful costumes in the shape and color of flowers, in tune with the festival's overall theme (Zaldy Comanda)
This is just the beginning of an exciting month that traditionally draws thousands of tourists mainly for the Flower Floats Parade that rivals the world-famous annual Rose Parade in California.
But the Baguio Flower Festival offers more than just colorful blooms but spectacular road shows, trade fairs, cultural performances, and various competitions.