The first thing you notice about the Panagbenga Festival is not the flowers. It is the discipline.

Thousands of people fill the streets of Baguio, yet the city moves with remarkable order. Traffic flows where it should. Crowds gather but remain controlled. Public spaces stay clean despite the surge of visitors. What appears to be a simple celebration is actually a carefully orchestrated operation.

This year, my wife Keri and I had the opportunity to experience Panagbenga for the first time as we were invited by Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, who is also our National Adviser in the League of Cities of the Philippines wherein I serve as the National President. Like many Filipinos who travel to Baguio every February, we wanted to see firsthand why the festival has become one of the most anticipated celebrations in the country.

What we witnessed went far beyond a parade.

The Panagbenga Grand Float Parade was a stunning display of artistry. Each float was crafted using real flowers and even strawberries, meticulously arranged into intricate designs that reflected both creativity and craftsmanship. The street dancing competitions were equally impressive, showcasing the energy and pride of performers who have trained for months.

But behind every performance and every float was an enormous amount of preparation.

Long before the first drumbeat echoed through the streets, the systems that made the festival possible were already in place. Traffic rerouting was planned in advance. Security personnel were strategically deployed. Sanitation teams worked continuously. Emergency response units were on standby.

This is what effective city management looks like.

During the festivities, Keri and I also had the pleasure of sharing the experience with Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines, H.E. Endo Kazuya and his wife, Akiko. Their presence reflected how the Panagbenga Festival has grown into an event that attracts international attention.

Visitors now come not only from across the Philippines but also from various parts of the world to experience the festival. Out of curiosity, I asked several attendees where they were from, and their responses spanned Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. Notably, five groups were from San Juan. Seeing fellow San Juaneños in the middle of the celebration reminded me how festivals like this connect communities across cities and regions.

Panagbenga itself began with a very practical goal. It was launched in 1996 as a way to revive Baguio’s economy after the devastating 1990 Luzon earthquake. Instead of allowing the crisis to define the city, local leaders turned culture into a strategy for recovery.

Nearly three decades later, that strategy continues to pay off.

Hotels operate at full capacity. Restaurants and small businesses thrive during the festival season. Tourism generates opportunities for vendors, artisans, and entrepreneurs across the city.

Baguio also offers valuable lessons in urban management.

One idea that particularly caught my attention came from Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong. He shared that many of the center islands along Baguio’s roads have been adopted by private groups and organizations. These groups take responsibility for designing and maintaining the landscaping of these islands, which is why each one has its own unique character.

It is a simple but effective partnership between the city government and the community. Public spaces are maintained with creativity, and residents take pride in contributing to the appearance of their city.

It is an approach that I am interested in studying further as we explore similar initiatives in San Juan.

As the National President of the League of Cities of the Philippines and President of the Metro Manila Council, I constantly look for ideas that San Juan City can learn from and adopt. This is why we sign sisterhood agreements, to learn the best practices of LGUs nationwide and strengthen collaboration with each other. Baguio shows that culture, tourism, and governance can reinforce each other when they are guided by clear planning and strong leadership. Baguio has clearly mastered this balance.

The city welcomes thousands of visitors while maintaining order and creating opportunities for its local businesses and communities. This is not the result of one event. It is the result of consistent leadership and careful planning.

Cities bloom when governance is steady, partnerships are strong, and communities take pride in the place they call home.