The Panagbenga Flower Festival 2017 is currently being celebrated in Baguio. It started on February 1, 2017 and will end on March 5, 2017. I’m not fond of festivals in general because I don’t like being with a lot of people, getting hot and sweaty (and worse, mugged!) or being caught in horrible traffic but Panagbenga Festival (aside from the Hot Air Balloon Fest) is one of those few festivals I attend almost every year. I even celebrated a long weekend here back in 2007 for my 29th birthday together with my best girls as we were also stalking Brownman Revival (we were a groupie back then, hahahah!) Gosh! That was a decade ago. (Photo below)

But my love for seeing flower floats and parades and people dancing in costumes all done in a nice cool weather is really a big turn on for me and that only happens here in Baguio.

If you want the complete details about it, just head to their site. I got most of my info there as well as the header photo for this blog post: https://www.panagbengaflowerfestival.com/

SOME BASIC TIPS BASED ON OUR OWN EXPERIENCE

1. Book a hotel in advance. In festivals like this, hotels tend to get immediately fully booked. if you’re just booking now, explore all booking sites like Agoda.com, TravelBook.com, Booking.com, Traveloka.com, Hotel.com,  etc.
2. Once you’re there, expect that traffic will be horrendous so better walk to the venue if it’s not that far from your hotel  instead of driving your car or hailing a cab within the city.
3. Bring a big, secure bag with you where you can put your necessary belongings like enough money, small umbrella, bottle of water, snacks, towelette and other stuff you might need. You’ll be out for a while and it would be hard to get back to the hotel so make sure you have everything you need with you.
4. The weather would be cool of course so make sure you’re dressed for the weather. Around late morning until afternoon though, it can still get a bit hot so wear sunglasses and hat.
5. Always be alert and mindful. You never know if there are pickpockets around you.
6. Set your expectations right so you won’t easily get stressed with the crowd.
7. Have fun!

So as usual, I was there last year. I brought Mahal and baby Tuz with me who was just 3 months old at that time. It’s really not that hard and it’s even fun to travel and go to a festival with your baby. Just read my blog post about it here: HOW TO TRAVEL WITH A BABY

And boy did we enjoy ourselves! The traffic was horrendous as expected but as long as you know what you came here for, then all these little inconveniences you’d be able to bear as well as enjoy the festival like we did. Just look at the photos…

“Panagbenga is an annual flower festival celebrated every February which takes place in Baguio City, Philippines. The term “Panagbenga” comes from a Kankanaey term meaning “season of blooming”. This festival reflects the history, traditions and values of Baguio and the Cordilleras. It lasts over a month long and flourishes through community spirit involvement.”

So aside from watching the parade and the floats, we also enjoyed our time with the other festival offerings like garden and landscape displays, shopping, etc. And you can do the same should you decide to attend the Panagbenga Flower Festival this year. It’s not yet too late. The remaining schedule is below and maybe we’ll see each other there.

And since we were already in Baguio, we also took a long weekend off to enjoy the sites Baguio has to offer. I will have a separate blog post about this.

GENERAL SCHEDULE OF Panagbenga Festival for 2017

Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition
01 Feb, 2017 – 05 Mar, 2017,
Juan Luna & Lake Drive

In case you’re still contemplating whether to go this year or not, below are the remaining schedules of the last two long weekends. There are still festivities during the remaining weekdays, but the exciting events are those happening from Friday-Sunday.

FRI FEB 24 2017

Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition
01 Feb, 2017 – 05 Mar, 2017,
Juan Luna & Lake Drive

Tree Planting and Pet Vaccination
24 Feb, 2017, 1:00 PM
STOBOSA, La Trinidad, Benguet
By Department of Tourism-CAR

Mr. Panagbenga & Ms. Physique 2O17 Muscle Showdown
24 Feb, 2017, 6:00 PM
Baguio Convention Center
By United Bodybuilders of North Luzon, Inc. (UBNLI)

SAT FEB 25 2017

Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition
01 Feb, 2017 – 05 Mar, 2017,
Juan Luna & Lake Drive

Sponsors’ and Exhibitors‘ Day
25 Feb, 2017 – 26 Feb, 2017,
Ganza Parking Area

GRAND STREET DANCE PARADE
25 Feb, 2017, 8:00 AM
Panagbenga Park – Session Road – Magsaysay Avenue – Harrison Road – BAGUIO ATHLETIC BOWL

A major highlight of the Festival. Participants dance and march to the different Cordilleran music, costume and tradition. The different categories in the competition are the high school, college and open-category.

Kapuso Fans Day
25 Feb, 2017, 4:00 PM
Sunshine Park

TEAM LAKAY Championship 12
25 Feb, 2017, 7:00 PM
Baguio Convention Center

SUN FEB 26 2017

Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition
01 Feb, 2017 – 05 Mar, 2017,
Juan Luna & Lake Drive

Sponsors’ and Exhibitors‘ Day
25 Feb, 2017 – 26 Feb, 2017,
Ganza Parking Area

GRAND FLOAT PARADE
26 Feb, 2017, 8:00 AM
DILG – Session Road – Maharlika – Harrison Rd. – Melvin Jones Grandstand & Football Grounds

The major highlight of the Festival, the biggest and grandest of its kind in the country. Flowers and other organic material decked floats are paraded and displayed during this day.

Kapuso Fiesta with Kapuso Artists
26 Feb, 2017, 12:00 NN
Sunshine Park

FRI MAR 03 2017

Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition
01 Feb , 2017 – 05 Mar , 2017,
Juan Luna & Lake Drive

Session Road in Bloom
27 Feb , 2017 – 05 Mar , 2017,
Session Road

A week-long event featuring expositions by the food and other hospitality establishments in the City and in the Country. It is during this event that Session Road is closed to vehicular traffic and Session Road becomes an al-fresco dining spot complemented by open-air concerts and performances.

Little Mr. & Ms. Panagbenga 2O17
03 Mar , 2017, 5:00 PM
Baguio Convention Center
by MB Sky Production

Panagbenga Festival Muaythai National Open 2O17
03 Mar , 2017 – 05 Mar , 2017, 8:00 AM
Igorot Garden, Baguio City
By Muaythai Association of the Philippines-Baguio

SAT MAR 04 2017

Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition
01 Feb , 2017 – 05 Mar , 2017,
Juan Luna & Lake Drive

Session Road in Bloom
27 Feb , 2017 – 05 Mar , 2017,
Session Road

Pony Boys’ Day
04 Mar , 2017,
Wright Park

This day gives a glimpse of the role horses have played in the history of man in variety of ways and cultures.

Panagbenga Festival Muaythai National Open 2O17
03 Mar , 2017 – 05 Mar , 2017, 8:00 AM
Igorot Garden, Baguio City
By Muaythai Association of the Philippines-Baguio

ABS-CBN Kapamilya Karavan
04 Mar , 2017,
Melvin Jones Grandstand & Football Grounds

Panagbenga Scrabble Tournament
04 Mar , 2017 – 05 Mar , 2017, 8:00 AM
Calle Uno, Quezon Hill
By Baguio-Benguet Word Builders Club, Inc.

Panagbenga Airsoft Challenge
04 Mar , 2017 – 05 Mar , 2017,
Ibaloi Heritage Park

SUN MAR 05 2017

Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition
01 Feb , 2017 – 05 Mar , 2017,
Juan Luna & Lake Drive

Session Road in Bloom
27 Feb , 2017 – 05 Mar , 2017,
Session Road

Closing Ceremonies & Awarding and Grand Fireworks Display
05 Mar , 2017,
Melvin Jones Grandstand & Football Grounds and various areas over Baguio City CBD

This is where the different winners are recognized, prizes are awarded and certificates given. It is also when the synchronized fireworks display is staged at around 8:30 to 9:00 pm signifying the official closing of the Festival.

Panagbenga Festival Muaythai National Open 2O17
03 Mar , 2017 – 05 Mar , 2017, 8:00 AM
Igorot Garden, Baguio City
By Muaythai Association of the Philippines-Baguio

Panagbenga Scrabble Tournament
04 Mar , 2017 – 05 Mar , 2017, 8:00 AM
Calle Uno, Quezon Hill
By Baguio-Benguet Word Builders Club, Inc.

Panagbenga Airsoft Challenge
04 Mar , 2017 – 05 Mar , 2017,
Ibaloi Heritage Park

Tambalang Saya sa Panagbenga Year 5
05 Mar , 2017, 5:00 PM
Melvin Jones Grandstand & Football Grounds
By E-Carta Media Productions & Promotions

So what do you think? Will you be going? If you are,  enjoy and have a lot of fun at the 2017 Panagbenga Flower Festival!