Panagbenga 2009 Starts Tomorrow
January 31, 2009 by lisa
Filed under panagbenga
Panagbenga 2009 (Baguio Flower Festival) will have its Grand Opening tomorrow with a field demonstration while two of its core events, Market Encounter and the Landscaping Contest, will also start tomorrow and last the length of the festival.
For those of you coming up to Baguio way before the Grand Parades at the end of the month, please know that there are already interesting things to see and do — and buy — on your trip to the Summer Capital of the Philippines.
With the temperatures rising in Manila it might just be a good idea to escape to the City of Pines to cool off and experience the Baguio Flower Festival from the very beginning.
I decided to publish my collection of photos of the of the landscaping entries of last year, and of other flowers and plants taken in the same area, if just to whet your appetite as to what is in store for all of us in Panagbenga 2009. A lot of these photos were previously unpublished and as I was organizing my photos they were the ones that I kept going back to and looking at. They give me great pleasure and remind me why I love living here.
So I figured, why not show them to folks even a year later? And maybe that would get more people to notice and visit the landscaping contest. And besides, the Panagbenga is not called the Baguio Flower Festival so that photos shown will be of politicians using the occasion to promote themselves, or of the “super kalan” that was being sold at the Market Encounter. (Being the sarcastic me, I just had to find a way to take a dig at greedy politicians who are totallyopportunistic — here I go again!)
The Panagbenga Landscaping Contest is one of those little noticed attractions of the Baguio Flower Festival. It does not spur excitement among locals and tourists because there’s no “action” there, unlike the Market Encounter which is simply a bazaar or a tiangge (and in recent years, I cannot say that I have found anything exciting about the Market Encounter either — the first ones were more like country fairs with a lot of things going on and used to be a classier affair) or the Grand Parades, of course.
Last year, the Landscaping exhibits were physically obscured by the bazaar plus one had to pay an entrance to Market Encounter to access it, and there were not too many directional signs leading folks there. But we were able to find it, probably because Nico Cawed and I were desperately seeking something beautiful to take photos of.
We just...
LOVE THE PHOTOS!!! Nice one Lisa!
Thanks Arwin,
A lot of the pretty shots of flowers were taken by Nico. I will be adding more to the photo gallery. I have tons in my hard drive — it’s the editing and uploading that takes a lot of work.
Happy Panagbenga!
Great post Lisa! I’ve only been to Panagbenga once and it was a working trip pa. I wish I could go there on vacation. Thanks for posting the flower pictures, it really brightened up my day.
Hi Paul,
Just hop on a bus — you can do it! And if you can’t make it in 2009, make it a point to be here in 2010 if just to see me throwing things back at politicians who would taint the parades by their presence and who, like Chavit Singson or Jamby Madrigal, would throw candies to the crowds.
I’m hoping you can find a way to squeeze it into your busy schedule as there is still time to plan a trip. The flower festival has just begun and things haven’t started heating up yet.
“Workaholicism” is not good for anyone.
The photos are pretty, aren’t they? Then again, there’s nothing as perfect as nature…
Started my Panagbenga by running the 10k of the Baguio-Benguet Flower Run, Lisa. The American lady who ran the 10k too upon finishing said, “this is harder than the Boston marathon.” Way to go, ma’am.
Lisa, took a peep at what the market encounter had to offer. a far cry from the one we had last year. this year, it’s tiangge time. need pajamas? slippers? jackets?
Lisa, about my earlier comment regarding Market Encounter, think the specialty items will be in Session in Bloom. No duplicity with the items being sold in both places. Hope it’ll be that way.
Hi Resty,
Originally, Market Encounter would sell goods that came from outside of Baguio City — catering to both tourists and residents. Session Road in Bloom would showcase Cordillera products on the retail end, and showcase local restaurants and food, catering mostly to locals because of the dates/days it is held.
Recently, both have been offering only ordinary “sellable” items — clothes, cell cards, ordinary stuff. I wouldn’t waste my time to go to Market encounter to buy pajamas, slippers or jackets. But that’s just me.
Didn’t know that, Lisa. Thanks for the clarification.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the blog site, very informative and entertaining. I was born/raised in Baguio but haven’t visited in 25 yrs. I am currently living in the Los Angeles area. Baguio must be a totally different place by now. Still remember our house in Scout Barrio, hiking with my dad at Camp John Hay (Golf course and all). Memories galore. You may be able to help me, what’s the best way to search for a friend living in Baguio? are there any online phone/email lists? I have been trying to contact my friend, James Vergara. We grew up as best friends going to school in Holy Family Academy & St. Louis. I appreciate your assistance. If none is available, I do appreciate the awesome work you do with the sites. Thank you, Sam.
Hi Sam,
Let me look his name up in the phone book. I am hoping also one of the site visitors would know JAMES VERGARA and see that you’re looking for him.
Hi Ms. Liza,
Our company wants to be part of Panagbenga 2009. We know that there will be some events in Session Road (Session Road in Bloom),and we’re planning to rent a space. Aisde from this we are looking for other activities that we can sponsor.. such as conduct sampling activity, or if there will be a concert to be held, we are willing to be part of it (depending on the budget of course). If you could help us with this, i am very thankful and hope to see you there! By the way, our wine brand will be most willing to sponsors all of these activities. Here’s my mobile number 09227431731.. thanks a lot!
Hi Lisa,
I was searching for the schedule of the panagbenga 2009 fiestival and what a blessing to see this personal blog of yours and read some of the nice comments and asking for your assistance. My wife and I, and a friend are on our schedule to joint with the rest of the people in baguio to celebrate the annual flower fiest. This is our first time to be in your place and to watch the said very wellknown fiest. Maam, could you extend us your hand to let us know some of the apartel or transient home that we could stay for a few days? can you include their contact number? Furthermore, could you tell us the beautiful places that we could go for our picture souvenir? Hoping for your help. Thank you and God bless!
Hi Lisa,
Excellent suggestion, thanks. I will try to mix business with pleasure and find time to squeeze my tight schedule the next time around. I know it is not good to be known as workaholic.
Hi Jen,
I guess I wrote this elsewhere in the site:
Contact the BFFFI Secretariat by:
1. writing them at their Baguio Convention Center office address
2. calling these telephone numbers: 0744424315 /0744424259
3. emailing them at panagbenga.secretariat@gmail.com
Hope this helps
Hi Elmer,
Information regarding Baguio hotels & accommodations can be found at my main site Go Baguio! Your Complete Guide to Baguio City, Philippines. just click the link.
Hiya Paul,
Good to know that you’re even considering “chillin’!” Come up, weather is great! It’s not very far …
Hi Liz,
Thanks for the photos very nice!!!
Florence
hi lisa, started my panagbenga with a run and will end it with another run, botak sa panagbenga 5k on march 8. registration ongoing at web 4u internet shop on upper assumption road, beside the entrance to mandarin restaurant. 250ps and comes with a tshirt. let’s run.