Are You Taking Your Family to the Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City?

It’s the start of Panangbenga Festival in Baguio City today (February 1)! Are you planning to take your family to this very colorful celebration of flower abundance? Here are a few things to consider before kicking off your trip, plus the schedule of activities!

What’s Panagbenga?

Panagbenga is a Kankana-ey (dialect widely used by Cordillerans) which means “a season for blossoming or a time for blooming.” Panagbenga symbolizes Baguio’s rise from the strong earthquake that hit the city in 1990. This year’s festival theme is “A Blooming Odyssey”.

Our Panagbenga Festival Experience

Last year, my family went to Baguio City (read it here) to watch the the float parade. The parade was too crowded, and the city was overpopulated– there was no parking space and the hotel rooms were fully occupied. But since we were booked ahead, and we went there prepared, we did enjoy the festival.

The festival is worth checking out for but I do not however recommend taking kids with you. Here are my reasons why and a few tips to enjoy the parade if every you still decide to go with your kids.

There are thousands of spectators wanting to get good view of the parade just like you. Tip: The parade starts early so you should find your viewing spot before the parade starts. Last year, Alex, Kyle and I went near Baguio Convention Cetnter (where the parade started) so we got the chance to see all the floats before the start of the parade. After taking pictures of the floats, we immediately went to the Athletic Bowl where the parade ended. 😉

Baguio is a small city. And the hotels cannot accommodate all the visitors. Tip: It’s really impossible to find a hotel a week before the the float parade so you have to book early. You can also try transient homes.

Secure your belongings. With a very large crowd, there could be thieves roaming around the city. Secure your camera and wallet, these are the usual targets.

Fully enjoy your visit to the City of Pines. Spend another day in the city visiting these places: The Strawberry Farm, PMA (note: you can’t get in if you’re wearing slippers, you have to be in shoes!), Mines View Park, Burnham Park and Camp John Hay.

The Panagbenga 2013 Schedule of Activities

February 1, 2013: Grand Opening Parade Drum & Lyre Dance Competition
Where: Panagbenga Park, Session Road, Magsaysay Avenue, Harrison Road, Athletic Bowl
Activities: Opening Ceremonies Drum and Lyre Dance Parade, Competition and Field Presentation, Opening Concert and Fireworks Display

February 1 to March 3: Baguio Blooms: Landscape Exhibition and Exposition
Where: Burnham Park
Activities: Landscaping Competition and Exhibits, Trade Fair and Bazaar, Baguio’s Got Talent and Concerts

February 10, 2013: Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom
Where: Melvin Jones
Activity: Painting of Streamers

February 23, 2013: Grand Street Dancing Parade
Where: Panagbenga Park, Session Road, Magsaysay Avenue, Harrison Road, Athletic Bowl Activities: Drum and Lyre Presentations and Field Demonstrations and Street Dancing Parade

February 24, 2013: Grand Float Parade
Where: Panagbenga Park to Athletic Bowl
Activity: Float Parade

Click here for the complete schedule of activities. Enjoy your trip. Happy Panagbenga! =)

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