It’s time, once again, to dance on the streets of Baguio as the Panagbenga Festival officially opens on February 1! With a Grand Opening Parade from Panagbenga Park to Athletic Bowl, the first day of Panagbenga will set the festive mood as the month-long celebration starts!

This year, the theme of Panagbenga 2013 is “A Blooming Odyssey”. It will be a celebration not only of the season of blooming, but also of the progressive economy and prosperity of the City of Pines.

The highlight of the event will happen on February 23 and 24.

Tips: Make sure to wear comfortable clothes and a light jacket to keep you warm for what is expected to be a breezy weekend. You can join and dance on the streets at the Grand Street Parade so wear your most comfortable shoes! And just to be safe, pack an umbrella or a rain jacket just to be prepared for the unexpected drizzles since it is still the rainy season.

Here is the schedule of the Panagbenga Festival:

February 1, 2013 

Grand Opening Parade
Drum and Lyre Dance Competition (Elementary Division) 
Panagbenga Park to Athletic Bowl

February 1 - March 3, 2013 
Market Encounter & Landscaping Competition 
Burnham Park

February 10, 2013 
Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom 
Melvin Jones

February 10, 2013 
Handog ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya Baguio 
Burnham Park

February 10, 2013 
Fluvial Float Parade 
Burnham Lake

February 23, 2013 
Grand Street Dancing Parade 
Panagbenga Park to Athletic Bowl

February 24, 2013 
Grand Float Parade 
Panagbenga Park to Athletic Bowl

February 25 - March 3, 2013 
Session Road in Bloom 
Panagbenga Park to Athletic Bowl

March 4, 2013 
Closing Ceremonies 
Athletic Bowl

To get there:

The trip to Baguio from Manila is a breeze with the hourly service bus stations offer to passengers. It is a 5-7 hour trip by bus and may cost 450-715 pesos per person. If you are traveling by car, take the NLEX (North Luzon Expressway) to Clark and then exit at SCTEX (Subic-Clark-Tarlac Expressway) up north, then take the exit to Tarlac City, Tarlac to La union. Then a choice of the historic Marcos Highway or the steep Kennon road, where you can catch a glimpse of the famous Lion’s head, to Baguio. Its a 6 hour drive and the roads are steep so make sure your car is in good condition.

You can reserve your bus tickets here:

www.victoryliner.com

If you are planning to take the bus up north, make sure to reserve your tickets at least two weeks before the event.

Photos from: www.facebook.com/panagbenga

Rob Pinzon: www.robinspinzon.com