Saint Louis University wins Festival Dance competition at Panagbenga
MAN APIT. The term is in Ibaloi, which means harvest–this year’s winning entry to the Panagbenga 2023 Grand Street Dancing Competition, Festival Dance category won by Saint Louis University, Baguio City on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at the Melvin Jones Football grounds. Photo by: Merriam del Rosario //FNS
BAGUIO CITY – Baguio Flower Festival, also known as Panagbenga, has returned with a bang after being halted for three years due to the pandemic.
The Grand Street Dance parade, one of the two most awaited events of the month-long festival, was held today, attracting a huge crowd in Session Road, the city’s commercial hub since early morning.
This year’s street dancing competition witnessed 28 contingents which included teams from far north to the lowlands competing in two categories: the cultural and the festival category.
Furthermore, four local elementary school bands participated in the Drum and Lyre Competition.
Tomorrow’s Grand Floral Float Parade, the only one of its kind in the country, is expected to attract an even larger crowd.
The parade will feature 17 entries, in big and small floral float categories.
Baguio Country Club, SM City Baguio, the Baguio City government, and the Department of Tourism will also showcase their floral floats.
The festival will also feature a special performance by the Baguio Metamorphosis and Aloha Philippines, led by world champion and multi-awarded performer, and Ms. Karen Navarrete Anton.
The Festival Dance competition’s grand prize went to Saint Louis University with their entry “Man apit,” which means harvest in Ibaloi.
The performance showcases the lives of the early settlers of Baguio City and how it has grown into a melting pot of culture, arts, and perspectives.
Other winners in the Festival Dance category are Tribu Rizal, Rizal National School of Arts and Trades, Rizal Kalinga, 2nd place; and University of the Cordilleras, Baguio City, 3rd place.
The Cultural Dance winners are Saeng Ya Kasay Cultural Ensemble, University of the Cordilleras, Baguio City, 1st place; Uggayam Turayan Cultural Group, San Vicente, Baguio City, 2nd place; and Labban di E-lagan Indigenous Peoples Organization, Laban, Sabangan, Mountain Province, 3rd place.
Meanwhile, Baguio Central Elementary School, Baguio City secured 1st place in the Drum and Lyre competition followed by Tuba Central School, Benguet, 2nd place; Josefa Cariño Elementary School, Baguio City, 3rd place; and Lucban Elementary School, Baguio City 4th place.
The judges will announce the winners after the event has concluded.###
