BAGUIO CITY – The 2024 Panagbenga Festival here kicked off on Saturday, February 3, with a drum and lyre competition and street dancing event.

A NATIVE dancer performs during the opening day parade of the month-long Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City on February 3. (Zaldy Comanda)
Six elementary schools competed in the drum and lyre contest – 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.
On the other hand, eight cultural groups showcased the rich culture and tradition of the Cordillera region through street dancing: Benguet Youth Organization, Easter College, Cholibes Cultural Dance Group, Dap-ay Cultural Dance Group, Turayan Cultural Dance Group, Ayoweng di Ganza Group, UP Youth Organization, and Sakusak Music Ensemble.
The opening parade of Panagbenga with the theme "Celebrating Traditions, Embracing Innovation" started with “uggayam,” a traditional Cordilleran prayer led by former Baguio Mayor Mauricio Domogan, chairman for life of the festival.
Panagbenga spokesperson Andrew Pinero said the six drum and lyre groups will have a showdown competition at the Melvin Jones Football ground at Burnham Park here while the eight cultural groups will have a separate showdown competition.
He said winners of the showdown will also participate in the grand street dancing parade on February 24 and contingents from the college and high school category will have a final showdown competition after the parade.