13 elementary, high school contingents compete at Panagbenga street-dancing parade
BAGUIO CITY – Thirteen elementary and high school contingents wearing colorful and fancy costumes competed at the grand street-dancing parade of the 28th Panagbenga Festival here on Saturday morning, February 24, with the theme “Celebrating Traditions, Embracing Innovation.”

A NATIVE dancer performs in the grand street dancing parade at the 28th Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City on Saturday, February 24. (Zaldy Comanda)
The Baguio City National High School-Special Program for the Arts was the only competitor from this city in the high school division. They showcased the importance of Cordillera culture and tradition in line with the theme of the event.
The six high school guest participants were the Bitulok Tribes Street Dancers of Gabaldon, Nueva Ecija; Palayan Tribe of Palayan City, Nueva Ecija; Tribu San Carlos and Kinayasan Street Dancers of San Carlos City, Pangasinan; Bani Pakwan Festival of Bani, Pangasinan; Narvacan Naisangsangayan of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, and Tribu Rizal of Rizal, Kalinga.

A NATIVE dancer performs in the grand street dancing parade at the 28th Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City on Saturday, February 24. (Zaldy Comanda)
The six competitors in the elementary level were Baguio Central Elementary School, Apolinario Mabini Elementary School, Lucban Elementary School, Manuel Roxas Elementary School, Tuba Central Elementary School, and Jose P. Laurel Elementary School.
Participants will perform in the final showdown at the Melvin Jones Football Grounds at the Burnham Park here on Saturday.
Winners will join the grand flower float parade on Sunday, February 25.