Baguio kids wow Panagbenga crowds with vibrance and grace

Year after year, students from various schools in Baguio City and beyond captivate audiences with their vibrant costumes and mesmerizing performances during the Grand Street Dancing Parade of the Baguio Flower Festival, popularly known as Panagbenga or "Season of Blooming."

On 22 February 2025, five entries in the Drum and Lyre category filled Session Road and Harrison Road with rhythmic beats and lively harmonies, complemented by choreographed dances that thrilled residents and visitors. Spectators, who arrived early to secure the best viewing spots, watched in awe as participants from Baguio City, Benguet, and La Union showcased their talents.

Now in its 29th year, Panagbenga 2025, themed "Blossoms Beyond Boundaries," saw the Drum and Lyre category come alive once more, featuring performances from the Mabini Elementary School Drum and Lyre Corps and Street Dancing Group, Mares Rhythmical Lynx, El Tribune Lucban of Lucban Elementary School, Tuba Central Drum and Lyre Corps from Tuba, Benguet, and the Rosario Drum and Lyre Corps from Rosario, La Union.

The Festival Dance category of the Grand Street Parade brought an explosion of sound and energy, with high school students from Cordillera, Pangasinan, La Union, and even Nueva Ecija delivering dynamic performances. The Bibyon Lubuagan from the Lubuagan Tribe of Kalinga presented a showcase of their rich cultural heritage, blending traditional dance with festival-style choreography. Other groups, including the Bitulok Tribe of Nueva Ecija, Amputi Layag Street Dancers from San Carlos City, Pangasinan, Tribune Hiraya Manawari of the Linubian Festival of Rosario, La Union, and Tawid a Balitok (Golden Heritage) from Bacnotan, La Union, captivated the crowd with their dance expertise.

Students from Saint Louis University and Pinsao National High School also swayed in ethnic-inspired costumes and traditional attire, adding to the cultural showcase.

The festivities concluded at the Melvin Jones Football Grounds, where all performers gathered for the highly anticipated field demonstrations.