Melo Villareal
Taking Part in a Cultural and Merrymaking Event: The Baguio City Panagbenga Festival 2015
Being a Christian country, the Philippines celebrate numerous feasts in honor of many different saints. Aside from that, we also have festivals to celebrate other things, including the flora and fauna, history and mythologies. Because these events date back to the Spanish era, these revelries have been done year after year to uphold history and tradition. Such exuberant and colorful revelry is one of the reasons thousands of tourists visit the country every year.
Panagbenga Festival Streetdancers in Baguio City
Also dubbed the Flower Festival, the Panagbenga Festival 2015 is one of the most celebrated annual events in the Philippines. The word “Panagbenga” is of Malayo-Polynesian origin, which means “season of blooming”. It is held in Baguio, the City of Pines, for five weeks, every February to March. This is to celebrate not only the season where flowers start to bloom, but also the progress that the city has continuously enjoyed.
Related Article: Baguio City Travel Guide: Travel Tips, Itinerary and Things to do
Just like any other festival, the Panagbenga Festival 2015 will feature all kinds of festivities, including mardi gras participated by dancers in flower-inspired costumes and float parade, which are the highlights of the said event. This year, street dancing and float display competitions were held on the 4th weekend of February.
Opening Day Street Dance Parade – Elementary Division
Next year, 2015, the Panagbenga Festival will kick off February 1 and end in March 4. You can expect to witness a grand celebration of the beauty and abundance that the country’s flora represents. There will be an endless array of activities and even quite a number of celebrities to join the festivities. In fact, it was reported that the Panagbenga Festival 2015 might feature hot air balloons.
Panagbenga chairman Anthony de Leon said in an interview that he is currently discussing with the organizers of the Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Festival, which is usually held in Pampanga’s Clark Freeport Zone. This effort is to improve the very famous flower festival. This activity will not overshadow the highlights of the Flower Festival, which are the mardi gras and float parade. They plan to have the hot air balloons available on the third week of February 2015, which is also the alumni homecoming of the Philippine Military Academy.
Baguio Panagbenga 2015 Flower Festival
Where to Stay in Baguio City
If you’re interested in taking part in the Panagbenga Festival 2015, then you start booking your accommodation soon. Checkout this list of hotels in Baguio City and other Cheap Accommodations in Baguio City.
Related Article: Top 10 Places to Stay In Baguio City
How to get there
Regardless of whether you’re from the country or not, all you need to do is get to Manila. Then, take a Victory Liner bus that’s bound for Baguio City. You can find the terminals for Victory Liner in Pasay, Sampaloc and Cubao. They have hourly trips, which should make it quicker for you to get to Baguio City, which usually takes 5 to 6 hours. The fare will be around Php450.00.
Taking the bus is an experience in itself. You get to mingle with locals and learn a thing or two about the said festival. But if you want more convenience and luxury, then you can rent a van or car instead. Search online for trusted rental companies to save you time and effort.
You can also checkout available Panagbenga Festival Tour Packages from various tour operators but sometimes DIY trips are more enjoyable and cost effective if you will be visiting Baguio City with a group.
Related Article: How to Get to Baguio from Metro Manila
We hope to see you in the Panagbenga Festival 2015!
