Issues are actually getting again to regular. After two tough years of isolation, restrictions, and social distancing because of the international pandemic, it looks as if issues are going again the best way they had been. Particularly in tourism, it’s lastly going again into form. After the 2 yr hiatus, the Panagbenga Pageant in Baguio is again! It has been six years because the final time I went to Baguio to witness this much-awaited pageant.
The time period Panagbenga is mainly a Kankanaey time period ( a South-Central Cordilleran language) which implies “a season of blossoming, a time for flowering” as it’s celebrated on the month of February when flowers are beginning to bloom. This pageant displays the historical past, traditions and values of Baguio and the Cordilleras. Panagbenga is a month-long celebration with the final Saturday and Sunday of February being the grandest of all of them.
The Grand Road Dance Parade is normally accomplished on the final Saturday whereas the well-known Grand Float Parade is commonly accomplished on the final Sunday. I used to be fortunate sufficient to be a part of a tour just a few weeks in the past that gave me an opportunity to revisit among the superb locations in Baguio, in addition to to witness the colourful Grand Float Parade. We departed from Cavite on Friday night time and arrived in Baguio on Saturday morning. We had our first cease over within the well-known Lion’s Head earlier than heading to our transient home simply to unload our luggage.
Though, we determined to skip the Grand road dance parade, we’ve spent our Saturday visiting a few of Benguet’s well-known locations. These embrace the colourful homes of Stobosa, the Strawberry farm of La Trinidad, the Bell Church Temple, the Lourdes Grotto in Baguio, the Mansion and the Mines View Park, and the Diplomat Lodge. We additionally concluded our day by visiting the Night time market earlier than heading again to our transient home.
Sadly, we arrived fairly late for the Float Parade. It was already beginning and we had been dropped off at Baguio Cathedral when the parade was about to finish. I made a decision to ran to the subsequent road and was lucky sufficient to seize a few of it. Based on stories, there have been an estimated 50 thousand individuals who visited Baguio to witness the colourful and festive float parade. The Float parade is the principle spotlight of the pageant which options enormous floats which can be lined in extensive number of flowers.
These colourful floats typically conveyed a message of pleasure, concord and unity. These are fastidiously and elegantly created by native craftsmen and artisans who used largely recent and actual potted vegetation by farmers from Benguet and Baguio. The theme of this yr’s Panagbenga Pageant, “A Renaissance of Marvel and Magnificence”, highlights the town’s journey towards tourism revival, sustainable and accountable tourism improvement, and entry into the brand new regular after the pandemic.
It also needs to be famous that this parade can also be a contest divided into Large Float and Small float class. Each Road dance and Float Parade took the standard route starting on the Higher Session Street close to the Panagbenga Park, down Session Street to Harrison Street ending on the Melvin Jones grandstand the place they are going to be exhibited.
A few of the pageant and cultural dancers additionally carried out in the course of the float parade.
Every float within the parade is represented by a product, a model, or an organization. I’m not positive if that is some type of promotion, sponsorships, or each, however they had been all a part of the competitors.
This enormous float with head-turning picture of a woman is from Sitel group. It later received the Third Place in Large Float Class.
Simply take a look at all the main points.
Jollibee can also be a part of the parade
Road dance showcasing Baguio’s wealthy tradition
Coca-Cola themed float
One other colourful float representing an Ethyl alcohol model.
Using the float is the favored content material creator Albert Nicolas also referred to as the Asian Cutie
Cultural dancers not simply showcasing their native costume but additionally their ethnic devices and music
Actually, a outstanding efficiency
A colourful and festive means of showcasing nation’s tradition and custom.
Jeepito is a personalized miniature jeepney is a staple of the Float parade since 2015.
The parade concludes with Baguio Horse Membership sporting some iconic Disney character costumes.
There have been additionally some Road Dance performances from the yesterday’s competitors carried out in Melvin’s Grandstand.
Dancers wore colourful costumes outfitted with fantastically crafted props.
Later that day, the floats had been additionally positioned on a public exhibition, permitting guests to view these colourful floats up-close.
A float by the Division of Tourisnm in Baguio
An Aladdin-inspired float
An attractive float by SM Baguio
A float by Sitel
A float from IKEA Ph
A float by the Manor in Baguio
The float by Avilon Zoo that received Second Place in Large Float Class
The Santo Nino element from On line casino Ethyl Alcohol Float
Some particulars from Zaparita Backyard float, the winner of the Small float Class
Element from Mang Inasal Float, Second place winner of Small Float Class
WINNERS:
BIG FLOAT CATEGORY:
1st – TIEZA – Tourism Infrastructure and Enterprise Zone Authority
2nd – Avilon Zoo
third – Sitel Philippines
SMALL FLOAT CATEGORY:
1st – Zaparita Backyard
2nd – Mang Inasal Philippines
third – Benguet Province
TIEZA Float
Avilon Zoo Float
Sitel Group Float
Zaparita Backyard
Mang Inasal Float
Benguet Province Float