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"

Tramping Tagaytay

Another busy week, Another stressful workload, so it's time to unwind and freshen up. Where else is the closest best venue for an out of town trip for us here in the Metro? For me, it's still my favorite side trip place - Tagaytay City.
Tagaytay will never run out of good places and things to offer for kids, for friends, for lovers and for everyone!

As a good start, we decide to eat breakfast at the bag of Beans along Aguinaldo hi-way



There are talking birds that entertain the guests in the garden area

table seating for those who want to dine in the garden area



the indoor restaurant has a cozy atmosphere

Cute ansd Clean rest rooms

One of their specialties - Beef n mushroom pie ( Single serving of pies is only less than 100 php)


This Shrimp Entree is definitely worth tasting ( Kinda expensive about 350 Php I think, but is worth the price )

Try their best seller - hot chocolate

We decided to spend our afternoon at the PARADIZOO.

How to get there: From Tagaytay highway ( from the rotonda ), turn right to Mendez the street (after the public market), go straight and turn left on the intersection before the tricycle line. Better to ask directions from the natives of the place since there are no road signs going to the zoo.

Entrace fee is 99Php and you can request a tourguide for small groups free of charge. If you also want to visit the zoo at Residence inn, You can get a 180 Php bundle for entrance on both zoos.




That's our informative tour guide educating us about Paradizoo



For those who are not in the mood for walking, you can rent a golf cart to use in touring the zoo


You can feed the camels but ask your tour guide first



Their main star is BULL-TEZ- FIVE, the 5- legged bull






Some of the animals you can see inside



Posing with some cuties...




The zoo is also a farm garden for differnt plants and flowers



Inside the butterfly sanctuary

You can have some refreshments at the gazebo at the ceter of the zoo

Souvenir shop
Next stop, another zoo in Tagaytay - The residence Inn mini-zoo
This mini zoo is really small compared t o Paradizoo so for those who don't have much time to spend, but wantd to see some animals, then thjis is the place for you. This place is conveniently located at the Main Highway. Entrance fee is about Php 100.


You can take picture with the white Lion for only 49php. Proceeds will go to the animal welfare fund on the zoo.

What a relaxing day! I guess I will never get tired of spending my weekends in Tagaytay!