The Festival of Blooming
Flowers or Panabenga Festival is a month-long annual
festival in Baguio City, Philippines. The term ‘Panabenga’ was derived from
Kankanaey, a South-Central Cordilleran language which means ‘Season of
Blooming’. This festival that is celebrated annually every February was created
to tribute the city’s flowers and as a way to rise up from the devastation of
the 1990 Luzon earthquake. It also reflects the history, traditions, and values
of Baguio and the Cordilleras.
However, due to the
recent COVID-19 or 2019 Novel Coronavirus that hit the Philippines, the Baguio
City officials announced that the Panabenga Festival activities will be moved
through March until April.
WHAT
TO EXPECT
One of the main highlights of the festival is the parade
featuring floats decorated with flowers and street dancers coming from
different tribes and/or participating schools. Each one has a unique
floral-themed costumes and props symbolizing Baguio’s Stunning variety of
flowers.
What you can expect from the month-long festival? First is
the Opening Parade which is rescheduled on March 21, 2020, then the Canao or
Kanyaw a traditional dance or ceremony of the indigenous mountain people of
Northern Luzon, and various bazaars and fairs.
TIPS
WHILE ATTENDING THE PANAGBENGA FESTIVAL
1. When traveling to another
place may it be local or international, always check the local weather before
heading out to your destination. This way you can prepare what you should wear
and what to bring with you. Convenient, isn't?
2. Rain or shine it’s always good to bring an umbrella or a
hat since the weather is unpredictable.
3. For first-timers, you'll be going to unfamiliar ground,
secure all of your belongings so you won’t have any problems and you’ll be able
to enjoy your trip! This also applies to those who had been at the festival
before. ;)
4. In a grand festival like the Panagbenga Festival, securing
accommodation, transfers, and tours months before is a must! You don't want to cram last minute just to
get the last deals, right? So, make sure to plan and purchase everything you
need ahead of time. Though some hotels and some bus terminals take on the day
purchase reservation is the key for a worry-free trip.
5. Amidst the COVID-19 issue taking extra precaution is
needed, wear a face mask, and always practice proper hand hygiene.
GETTING
TO BAGUIO CITY
Private car, taxi, or point-to-point bus, land transfers are
your best options!
 |
| By car, you can reach Baguio City in 4-6 hours. Screenshot from Google Maps |
Via Bus from Metro
Manila
There are many available bus trips to Baguio. Some leave
Avenida in Manila, Pasay, PITX (Philippine Integrated Terminal Exchange) in
Paranaque, or Cubao in Quezon City terminals daily on an hourly
basis. Going to Baguio on Regular Aircon bus trip would cost as low as PHP
475 - 496 depending on the bus line and location of the terminal.
These are the popular bus lines offering transits to Baguio
City:
Victory Liner
Partas
Joy Bus
Genesis
Pine Tree Transit
Solid North
Philippine Rabbit
Travel time will be approximately 6-7 hours (or longer)
during Panagbenga Season.
Via private vehicle:
On an average of 4-6 hours drive, tourists can reach Baguio
City by car, though it takes much longer during holidays, long weekends, Holy
Week, and Panagbenga Season, etc.
- Drive through NLEX.
- Take Exit 85 right into
SCTEX.
- Transfer to the right
lane and drive to Baguio via Tarlac.
- Take the Tarlac exit and
follow the road signs that will go to MacArthur Highway.
- Once on MacArthur
Highway, drive straight to Tarlac and Pangasinan upon reaching Rosario, La
Union.
- From the Rosario
junction, turn right into the famous Kennon Road. This is the most popular and
scenic route up Baguio City.
- For those who prefer the
wider lanes of Marcos Highway, drive further into Rosario and turn right
towards the new entrance.
Why not we just take you there, alright? Let our friendly
drivers ease your worries! Just leave us an email at tours.ph@raksotravel or message us in our Official Facebook page Isla Story.
PLACES
TO VISIT WHEN IN BAGUIO
Other than joining the Festival you can always drop by to
these places and complete your trip while in the Summer Capital of the
Philippines!
BenCab Museum
Owned by the renowned national artist, Ben Cabrera, this
museum is filled with paintings, sculptures, and installations that can both
rattle and inspire you. Occasionally, the artist himself shows up in the
museum, and when he does, don't miss to have a photo taken with him or if you
won’t be taken over by being a fangirl strike a conversation with him!
Camp John Hay
This particular destination is named after US President
Theodore Roosevelt’s Secretary of state John Milton Hay. Discover and
appreciate history at the Bell House, have fun at Tree Top Adventure, or be one
with nature at the Butterfly Sanctuary or the Yellow Trail Hike.
Burnham Park
Festivals are usually bright and loud, so, we can't blame
you if you want to have a little break from it some time and look for a more
serene place to relax. Good thing, Burnham Park got you covered! Here, you can
have a picnic, ride a bike, or even ride a boat swan at the lake.
Mines View Park
Just located at the northeast side of Baguio City, Mines
View Park offers a panoramic view that overlooks the mining town of Itogon, a
sight of the Amburayan Valley can also be witnessed at the view deck. The park
also offers a splendid spot for picture taking with the alluring view of the
mountains as a background.
La Trinidad Strawberry
Farm
When in Baguio City, this fruit is what you shouldn't miss!
Visit one of the famous strawberry farms - La Trinidad Strawberry Fields to
pick fresh strawberries. These are the best pasalubong to bring home and a
special treat to yourself if you’re a big fan of strawberries. Outside the
farm, there are also lots of stores where you can buy snacks and local delis
that you can bring home.
Many roads may be closed or filled with people from
different parts of the country and the world but attending the festival will be
the highlight of your trip surrounded with a lot of dancing, street parties,
and perfectly timed drum beats, stunning performances of the dancers and the
beautifully decorated floats. Baguio City is a must-visit any time of the year!
***
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