Baguio City, renowned as the Summer Capital of the Philippines, transformed into a vibrant canvas of colors, creativity, and cultural pride during the Panagbenga 2024 on Sunday, February 25. This event, drawing an estimated 32,000 spectators, showcased thirty intricately designed floats, each contributing to the celebration's theme of "Celebrating Traditions, Embracing Innovation."
The Grand Float Parade, a major attraction of the Panagbenga Festival, featured floats adorned with recycled materials and locally sourced flowers. The commitment to environmental stewardship was evident in the floats, emphasizing the community's dedication to sustainable practices.
A Parade with Purpose: Social Messages and Calls to Action
Beyond the breathtaking displays, the parade served as a platform for social issues and calls to action. The "Guardians of Hope," commissioned by the National Authority for Child Care (NACC), featured a giant Superman-like figure made of blue and red flowers, encouraging families to consider adopting abandoned or neglected children.
Another attention-grabbing float, the Commission on Election (Comelec) float, bedecked with flowers, carried the message "Magparehistroka (Register)" as a reminder for people to register for the upcoming polls.
Celebrating Talent: Drum and Lyre Tilt and Festival Dance Competition Winners
The festivities didn't end with the floats. Lucban Elementary School claimed the championship in the drum and lyre tilt, taking home P150,000 in prize money. Tuba Central School from Benguet secured the second spot with a P100,000 prize, while Manuel Quezon Elementary School bagged the third position with a P70,000 cash prize.
In the Festival Dance competition, students of Tribu Rizal of Kalinga emerged as the champions, winning P200,000. The Naisangsangayan group of Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, secured the second spot with a P150,000 prize, and Baguio City National High School-Special Program for the Arts claimed the third position with a P100,000 cash prize.
Various street dance groups, including Bitulok Tribe, Tribu Palayano of Nueva Ecija, Bani Pakwan, Tribu San Carlos from Pangasinan, Narvacan Naisangsangyan Festival Dance of Ilocos Sur, and Tribu Rizal of Kalinga, received praises for their outstanding performances, adding to the festive atmosphere of Panagbenga 2024.
Mayor Magalong Envisions Festival as Beacon of Unity and Beauty
Baguio City Mayor Benjie Magalong, meanwhile, expressed his vision for the festival, underscoring its pivotal role in fostering unity through beauty and resilience.
"As we gather today, our purpose extends beyond reveling in the vivid colors and captivating spectacle. It is a celebration of unity, resilience, and the enduring allure inherent in our culture,” he said.
