PANAGBENGA FESTIVAL 2009

Baguio city is called the Summer capital of the Philippines - cool climate, explicit natural beauty and rich cultural heritage makes it the favorite out of town hangout of both local and foreign tourists alike. Every year, the residents of Baguio celebrates the Panagbenga Festival (formerly known as the Flower Festival) which literary means the "season of blooming." It usually lasts for a month with highlights every weekend. The Grand Float parade and the Street dance parade, usually done at the last week of the celebration showcases beautiful flowers found in the region.

HOW TO GET THERE: From Manila go to Cubao or Pasay and ride the Victory Bus Liner. This bus line caters land transfer from Manila to Baguio daily. ( Rate : Php 440 - one way for standard aircon bus, Php 670 Deluxe bus without CR and Php 700++ for Deluxe bus with CR )

Vacant transient houses, dorms, hotel and houses for rent are extremely hard to find during the Festival season so I suggest you book ahead of time if you wish to visit Baguio at this time.Hotel rates varies from Php 1500- 5500 per night depending on the location and the facilities of the place. Transit houses and dorms are for those traveling on budget. We got ours for only Php 250 per head per night, 2 people share a room and has a common lavatory ( 2 rooms, 1 toilet ) It is a newly constructed building so the place is clean and nice for the price.

Here are some photo's from the PANAGBENGA 2009 Grand Float Parade.


Street dancers wearing colorful costumes

SM Flower float first showed up wow-ing the crowd

TV celebrities participated in the parade - Kim Chui And Gerald Anderson

Marching Band dancing while playing lively music as they walk the streets

Sponsoring a float is a good way of advertisement for these products

Salute to these Police officers who wera proud their culture. PNP cops wearing "bahag"