You’re right about your observations. It’s just like during wedding receptions where there is nothing left of the floral centerpieces and other decor as guests almost always feel they are entitled to take these home with them.

Flowers are wonderful, delicate gifts of nature and they abound in this country. And they better serve us in their natural habitat than as temporary decorations at home.

We should also be more sensitive as tourists, whether in Baguio, Boracay, Bali or Baltimore about leaving the place as untouched by our presence as possible. Neither should we leave anything behind nor should we take anything as souvenirs except those especially crafted for that purpose.

Thanks for your inputs. I will make it a point to stress decorum before the Flower Festival next year.

i am excited whenever panagbenga comes around because it provides something to look forward to like the street dances the students are preparing.however, during the two parades, people tend to damage the plants (especially along harrison) just to view the parade. before the parade, the plants were vibrant and blooming. after the parade, the plants were stepped on and used as receiving ends of corn cobs and styro plates. sometimes, i wish that there were barbed wires around these plants so that they would not be damaged by these people who do not see that these were the results of hardwork.

the aftermath of this year’s float parade was also maddening because people were just plucking the flowers from the floats. again, these were the results of hard work and creativity.these were not made overnight but it just makes me sad that some plucked out the flowers like these were theirs for the taking even if it was announced that getting of flowers is not allowed.some floats were protected from these brazen pluckers but sadly, many people still walked away with stolen roses and orchids.

For more information please contact The BFFFI Secretariat directly at their office at the Baguio Convention Center, or call them at these telephone (074) 442 – 4315 / 442 – 4259 or email at panagbenga.secretariat@gmail.com

thanks and God bless

Just wanna ask if anyone knows somebody from the organizing committee who could give space for micro entrepreneurs (like us) to showcase our goods during the festival?

Thanks in advance.

I love Baguio best during the rainy months — and in January, best of all. We have to work hard at bring back romance to the city.

But let me tell you that the visitors are not necessarily the only ones who trash Baguio — the residents, too. On school days, my street is littered with candy wrappers, barbecue sticks, corn cobs — that’s 10 months out of every year!

During the summer months, pretty clean! Baka baliktad na, but you see it only during the Panagbenga because folks crowd in one tiny area.