Panagbenga Festival — Baguio in full bloom
Baguio blooms alive The Panagbenga festival, held annually in February in Baguio City, Philippines, is a month-long celebration of the city’s floral abundance and Cordillera heritage, launched in 1996 to revive tourism post the 1990 Luzon earthquake. Known as the Baguio Flower Festival, it features vibrant floral float parades, street dancing inspired by the Ibaloi Bendian dance, cultural performances, and market encounters, drawing thousands with its name ‘Panagbenga,’ meaning ‘season of blooming’ in Kankanaey. The festival’s strategic branding, international recognition and adaptability ensure it remains a vital tourism asset, blending tradition with innovation to sustain Baguio’s appeal as a premier travel spot.
PHOTOGRAPHS BY ALDWIN QUITASOL FOR THE DAILY TRIBUNE
Every February, Baguio City bursts into life with the vibrant colors and festivities of the Panagbenga Festival, a celebration that has become one of the Philippines’ most anticipated events.
Derived from the Kankanaey term meaning “season of blooming,” Panagbenga pays homage to the city’s rich floral heritage while honoring the resilience of its people.
What started in 1996 as a way to uplift Baguio after the devastating 1990 Luzon earthquake has now transformed into a month-long spectacle that attracts thousands of local and international tourists.
The festival’s main highlights include the Grand Float Parade, featuring elaborately decorated floral floats that rival those of Pasadena’s Rose Parade, and the Street Dance Parade, where performers dressed in colorful costumes sway to the beat of indigenous and contemporary music.
Beyond its dazzling displays, Panagbenga showcases Baguio’s cultural identity, blending Cordilleran traditions with modern Filipino artistry.
The Session Road in Bloom, a weeklong transformation of the city’s busiest street into a bustling marketplace of crafts, food and entertainment, adds to the festival’s charm. Visitors also flock to the festival’s cultural performances, trade fairs and fireworks displays, making it a comprehensive celebration of life and beauty.
