BAGUIO CITY – After settling for toned down themes the past two years, the “Panagbenga”, or the Baguio Flower Festival, will open the 2022 special edition on Sunday, March 6 with more upbeat, yet still subdued, celebratio to usher in the city’s entry to the new normal.
The Panagbenga 2022 special edition, with the theme “Let Hope Bloom”, will not have the usual crowd-drawing event like the grand opening, street dancing, and flower float parade.
Mayor Benjamin Magalong said this year’s celebration will feature traditional activities like the open landscaping exhibition and competition, the “Handog ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya” Baguio and Session Road in Bloom.
“In keeping with the festival’s name, the mainstay activities were enhanced to depict and inspire celebration in the blooming. Other substantive events were added also in keeping with the theme,” he said.
Andrew Pinero, spokesperson of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) said, the opening program on March 6 will start with inter-faith prayer at the Panagbenga Park at South Drive to be led by Fr. Marlon Urmaza (Catholic), Pastor Jesus Baluyut (Protestant), Uztadh Nadhir Oquendo (Islamic), a fellow for the Christian prayer and former mayor and BFFFI Chairman for Life Mauricio Domogan (Cordilleran prayer or uggayam).
A special cultural performance by the University of the Cordillera Saeng Kasay will cap this leg.
Program proper and ribbon-cutting ceremonies of the Panagbenga Landscaping Exhibition/Competition will follow at Melvin Jones at 9 a.m.
Domogan will deliver the welcome remarks while Rep. Mark Go will give an inspirational message.
Magalong will preside over the ceremonial declaration of opening of the festival, and the unveiling of the festival calendar of events.
Intermission numbers will be provided by the St. Louis University CCA Dance Troupe and SLU Marching Band.
After the program, focus will be at the Botanical Garden for the opening and special tour.
The festival main events are as follows: Panagbenga Open Landscaping Exhibition “Gardenscapes” – March 6-27; Handog ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya Baguio (FUNagbenga Zumba; Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom Open Painting Exhiition; Panagbenga Kite-Flying Challenge and Cultural Show) – March 13; Panagbenga Open Dance Competition (Cultural Dance and Festival Dance categories)—March 20; Session Road in Bloom – March 21-27 and closing fireworks display on March 27.
The Special events are Baguio Country Club Garden Exhibit (Korean and Japanese-themed gardens) – BCC Theme Park, Feb.18 until Sept.; Reopening of the Baguio Botanical Garden – March 6; 9th Stage Ronda Pilipinas – Citywide and Baguio Convention Center, March 19-20; 2nd Montañosa Film Festival – Baguio Athletic Bowl, March 19-27; and Flower Tee Golf, BCC on March 25-26.