Panagbenga tradition to go on – Magalong

The 27th edition of the Baguio Flower Festival (BFF) or Panagbenga 2022 definitely goes on, though on a modest note or even on a delayed timeline. This is due to the reported increase in Covid-19 cases, detected through testing centers in the city.   

Crowd-drawing activities which include the opening, street dancing and flower float parades shall be avoided, Mayor Benjamin Magalong announced during the media forum Ugnayan at city hall last week.

According to the mayor, an agreement was done in a Baguio Flower Festival Foundation meeting two weeks ago, with Baguio Country Club General manager Anthony de Leon present. A review shall be done which of the traditional activities go on, with an announcement from the foundation. The traditional activities are Session road in Bloom, Flower Golf Tee, the Philippine Military Academy homecoming, Let A thousand flowers bloom, Open kite exhibition, Cultural show, grand fireworks, and Pony boys’ day.

The landscaping activities may push through with participants and spectators to comply with minimum public health standards (MPHS); masks on, social distancing and frequent handwashing. There are no elaborations if only fully vaccinated individuals will be allowed in activity areas.

A month’s delay may be forthcoming, thus launching and celebrations may be done in February or even in March, the mayor said.

The past two years had low-key celebratory activities, but otherwise marked the 25th and 26th Panagbenga edition. 

Other festivals such as Iloilo’s Dinagyang are coming up with a virtual edition for one of their activities, to avoid crowding.      

The month-long annual Baguio Flower Festival started in 1995 as a tribute to the city’s flowers and fill in tourism-lean months. It went on for 24 years, offering innovative, indigenous and creative flower-inspired activities to local and foreign tourists through cultural, sports, exhibitions and other activities. – Julie G. Fianza