Cultural performances, landscape gardens to usher in 2023 Panagbenga opening day on Feb. 1

Cultural performances, landscape gardens and the traditional Market Encounter will spruce up the opening of the 2023 Panagbenga Festival on February 1, Wednesday.

The grand Panagbenga parades will come back to life after three years of hiatus due to the coronavirus disease pandemic. Call time for the parade is at 6:30AM at the Panagbenga Park.

Leading the opening parade from the Panagbenga Park down to Session Road – Harrison Road – Abad Santos Drive and ending at the Melvin Jones football grounds are the Philippine Military Academy and the Saint Louis University High School and College marching bands.

This will be followed by eight cultural performing groups who have signified their intention to join the opening parade namely: Amamong Chi Umili Cultural Group; Bicas Di Litagwan Cultural Group; Bunak Shi Shuntog Performing Group; Easter College; Kafagway Cultural Group; Pinsao National High School; UP Youth Organization; and, Igorot Treasurers International and Benguet TV Cultural Group.

In between the cultural performances are drum and lyre entries from three elementary schools.

The public will also be treated to 18 entries of the professional landscaping competition at the Melvin Jones football grounds for the open or freestyle category and at the sidewalk of the Juan Luna Drive for the vertical landscaping category.

Participants to the professional landscaping competition are: Larry Hacoco, Elpidio Ngohayon, Noel Buhong, Christine Palongyas, Raymund Palongyas, Rosaldo Gallema, Saturnina Hilario, Judith Asan, Lina Tindongan, Jose Acosta, Luisa Comicho, Analiza Acosta, Ma Luisa Pat-ogan, Valencia Butale, Aguida Dayawen, Roy Roger Lang ay, Shierla Gay Ruben and Agustina Felimon.

Meanwhile, participating associations for the landscape competition are: Panagbenga Landscaping Association Inc., and the Wood Rock and Flowers Group.

The BFFFI reminds the public to observe the minimum health and safety protocols and wear masks at all times while maintaining social distance to keep COVID-19 cases at minimum. – JMPS