BAGUIO CITY, Philippines – The Panagbenga Festival in Baguio City has several scheduled activities during the month long celebration, this February 2013. Baguio City is the Summer Capital of the country because of its cool temperature during summer.
The Panagbenga Flower Festival is an annual activity that celebrates the bountiful harvest during this month of hearts. The festival usually attracts thousands of local and international tourists, who would like to witness the celebrating ethnic tribes coming from the different provinces of Mountain Province, namely, Benguet, Bontoc, Ifguao, and Kalinga-Apayao.
During this awesome celebration, the different tribes present their own ethnic dances and prizes are awarded to winners of the float and dance competition, among other contests.
Although, the dances may seem similar to one another in the eyes of foreigners, there are specific qualities, steps, and costumes that make them differ. The dance presentations are amazing with the display of colorful costumes and intricate dance steps. The gongs provide music for the dance performances during Panagbenga.
Floats of different sizes, color, and design are also paraded, and movie stars participate during the parade to the delight of their fans.
The Panagbenga Parade passes through the main road of the city, which is Session Road, and then proceeds to the oval in Burnham Park, where thousands of people would be waiting for the dance performances.
The most awaited events are the Grand Dancing Parade on February 23, and the Grand Float Parade on February 24. Then the Session Road in Bloom would proceed until March 2. The conclusion of the Panagbenga Festival would be on March 3, 2013.
