Baguio Flower Fest launch set December 12

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — The city government of Baguio has set the launch of the Baguio Flower Festival 2023 on Dec. 12.

The local government is coordinating with the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. for the lining up of activities that will be conducted during the festival known as Panagbenga, according to Aloysius Mapalo, city tourism officer.

The festival will start on Feb. 1 and will be highlighted by a street dance competition and other traditional events.

Mapalo said elementary and high school students as well as other groups are expected to participate in the competition.

A float parade will be held in the last week of February, which will be followed by a weeklong “Session Road in Bloom” and the formal closing ceremony.

Mapalo said they would wait for the announcement of the government on the state of public health emergency, particularly on the implementation of minimum health protocols to prevent the spread of emerging variants of COVID-19.

Mapalo expressed belief that the resumption of the Panagbenga would help sustain the efforts of the government to revive the economy, which suffered heavily from the pandemic.

Panagbenga had been a major tourist attraction for over two decades until the pandemic stalled everything.

The final schedule for the festival’s traditional events and activities will be announced during the launch.