Panagbenga Festival: A celebration for all
MARTYR OR MURDERER. Viva Film’s non-competing float garners significant attention for its thought-provoking display during the Grand Floral Float Parade on Sunday, February 26, 2023, capturing the crowd’s interest. Photo by Ompong Tan
BAGUIO CITY – In a stunning turn of events, the 27th Panagbenga Grand Floral Float parade was graced with the presence of an unexpected float on Sunday, February 26, 2023.
Curiosity filled the air as the float made its way down the parade route, drawing gasps and whispers from the crowd.
The float, adorned with vividly colored flowers and foliage and which had showbiz personalities on board took the crowd by surprise with its sudden appearance.
As the float passed by, spectators tried to catch a glimpse of the people behind it, only to be surprised again by the sudden entrance of another unexpected float following closely behind.
It was revealed that the unexpected float that made an appearance at the Grand Floral Float parade on Sunday was owned by Viva Films, while the other latecomer float belonged to Glamoroso Events.
The float by Viva Films was adorned with an eye-catching image of their upcoming movie, “Martyr or Murderer”.
The film is said to give an account of the events that transpired before and after the EDSA Revolution involving the Marcos family, as well as a glimpse into their life in exile.
According to the American review-aggregation website for film and television, Rotten Tomatoes, “Martyr or Murderer” is set to be a thought-provoking movie that sheds light on one of the most tumultuous periods in Philippine history.
It bravely discusses the controversies surrounding Imee Marcos’ exploits in Morocco, making it a highly anticipated release.
As the float made its way down the parade route, many people stopped to take a closer look and snap photos of the unexpected display.
The inclusion of the float sparked a mixed reaction among the parade participants, with some expressing excitement about the upcoming film, while others felt that the parade was not an appropriate venue for it.
However, regardless of the spectators’ personal opinions, the Viva Films float added a touch of intrigue and excitement to the occasion and left a lasting impression on all who saw it.
During a press conference on Wednesday, March 1, 2023, the panelists expressed their collective opinion that the presence of the two latecomer floats, from Viva Films and Glamoroso Events, had significantly enhanced the event by adding value and vibrancy to the occasion.
They said that the Floral Float Parade is open to all, and everyone is welcome to participate.
According to Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI) Executive Committee chairman Anthony de Leon, the two floats were deemed to meet the standards set by the organizers based on the review of the Event Marshalls, and this was why they were allowed to participate in the parade.
BFFFI president Frederico S. Alquiros said that the belated arrival of the floats was a welcome addition to the parade.
He further explained that the foundation had no qualms about including them, as they were designated as “non-competing” by BFFFI Chairman for Life, Mauricio Domogan.
Besides, float contingents are not given subsidies, Alquiros added.
“The unregistered floats were non-competing, but they can contribute to the achievement of the purpose of the festival, basta sundin lang nila ang rules, huwag ihalo ang pulitika, (as long as they abide by the rules, without adding political color to it) just a show of float, they’re very much welcome,” Domogan said.
De Leon clarified that they had previously denied entries in the past, and had also rejected entries for this year’s parade.
He explained that during the Panagbenga celebration on the city’s centennial year, they had denied a Volkswagen float on the day of the parade due to its lack of flower decoration.
They had also rejected two pickup trucks that were not appropriately adorned with flowers.
“So depende (it depends on) how they present the flowers in their floats,” de Leon said.
According to de Leon, there were also participants who submitted their entries way beyond the deadline for the Grand Street Dance Competition, but in the foundation’s effort to be as inclusive as possible, the late entrants were still allowed to join.
“I cherish the day when we celebrate the festival that there wouldn’t be any more controversies or issues. We should just be contributing to the success of the event,” de Leon said.
Meanwhile, BFFFI chief of staff Evangeline Payno called on everyone to go and witness the Panagbenga 2023 Closing and Awarding Ceremonies on Sunday afternoon, 2:00 o’clock PM at the Melvin Jones Grandstand and Football Grounds for a chance to win fabulous prizes.
Earlier during the press conference, Payno reiterated the results of the Grand Street Dance competition and announced the prizes won by the participants, as follows:
The Festival Street Dance Competition Grand Prize winner Saint Louis University will receive P200k; Second Placer Tribu Rizal, Rizal National School of Arts and Trades in Rizal, Kalinga will receive P100k; and Third Placer University of the Cordilleras in Baguio City will receive P70k.
The Cultural Street Dance Competition First Prize winner Saeng Ya Kasay Cultural Ensemble of the University of the Cordilleras in Baguio City will receive P100k; 2nd Placer Uggayam Turayan Cultural Group of San Vicente in Baguio City will receive P70k; and 3rd Placer Labban di E-lagan Indigenous Peoples Organization of Laban in Sabangan, Mountain Province will receive P50k.
Drum and Lyre Competition First Prize winner Baguio Central School in Baguio City will receive P150k; 2nd Placer Tuba Central School in the Province of Benguet will receive P100k; and 3rd Placer Josefa Cariño Elementary School in Baguio City will receive P70k.
Payno said that non-winners in the Grand Street Dance Competition will receive Consolation Prizes amounting to P50k for each contingent in the Festival Dance and P40k per contingent in the Cultural Dance.
Each of the four Drum and Lyre contingents will receive a subsidy of P100k, which was disbursed after the festival’s opening parade on February 1, 2023.
All Street Dance Grand Prize winners (top 1) will receive P5k worth of Gift Certificates from Mang Inasal Philippines. (Merriam del Rosario, FNS)
