BAGUIO CITY – Mayor Benjamin Magalong participated in the open painting competition and exhibit of the Panagbenga Festival at the Melvin Jones football ground in Burnham Park here on Sunday, Feb. 9.
MAYOR Benjamin Magalong participates in an art competition of the 29th Panagbenga Festival at the Melvin Jones Football ground, Burnham Park, Baguio City, on Sunday, Feb. 9. (Zaldy Comanda)
Also participating were Magalong’s wife Arlene, Department of Tourism-Cordillera Director Jovi Ganongan, Philippine Information Agency Regional Director Helen Tibaldo, and professional artists.
The competition with the theme “Handog ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya Baguio” is one of the traditional major events of the Panagbenga Festival.
Organizers limited the scope of the competition to 112 residents here – 20 in the amateur category, 20 in the professional, 24 in the family, 24 in the non-competing, and 24 in the guest.
Vangie Payno, chief of staff of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFI), said they limited the number of canvas paintings to 102, compared to previous years that reached 200 as only bonafide residents can compete.
Completed paintings will be featured in the grand parade on Feb. 22.
“We have limited it now, because there are prizes attached to the competition, which for amateur is P5,000; for professional is P10,000, and for family is P15,000. Their paintings must be creative, because Baguio is known as the Creative City,” said Payno.
Also held on Sunday was the 10th Annual Kite-flying Challenge and the Cultural and Talent Showcase of the University of Baguio, Saint Louis University, and the University of the Cordillera.
This year’s Panagbenga has the theme Blossoms Beyond Boundaries.