Panagbenga 12 Interesting Facts

1. The pronunciation is "Panagbanga" despite having the presence of the letter “e”.
2. It began as an idea of a lawyer, Damaso E. Bangaoet, Jr., John Hay Poro Point Development Corporation (JPDC) Managing Director for Camp John Hay, who presented to the Board of Directors of JPDC the idea of spearheading the holding of a flower festival in Baguio City. The Board, then led by the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) Chairman Victor A. Lim and JPDC President Rogelio L. Singson, approved the project immediately. It was also decided that the Festival be held every February when Atty. Bangaoet explained that the weather in February is perfect giving folks a reason to visit Baguio City between Christmas season and Holy Week holidays.
3. In October 1995, the Baguio Flower Festival acquired an official logo chosen from entries to the Annual Camp John Hay Art Contest with a theme revolving around preserving the environment with a special emphasis on the flowers of the Cordillera. Instead of a complete painting, the distinguished board of judges led by the well-known artist BenCab chose a spray of sunflowers on the corner of the entry submitted by Trisha Tabangin, a student of the Baguio City National High School.
4. The Festival Hymn composed by Professor Macario Fronda of Saint Louis University was added rhythm and movements of the Bendian Dance, an Ibaloi dance of celebration.The Bendian dance’s circular movements speak of unity and harmony among the members of the tribe – themes that foreshadowed the coming together the various sectors of the community to bring the Flower Festival to life.
5. First Lady Amelita M. Ramos graciously opened the First Baguio Flower Festival, with the theme of “The Birth of a Tradition.”
6. The Second Baguio Flower Festival in the year 1996 began with the Festival acquiring a local name: Panagbenga, a Kankanaey (also spelled as Kankana-ey) term meaning “a season for blossoming, a time for flowering”, a name suggested by Ike Picpican, an archivist and curator of the Saint Louis University Museum.
7. Baguio Flower Festival Foundation (BFFF) was organised to manage the festival.
8. Panagbenga started for a period of 10 days before, then extended to two weeks, then three, then held for the whole month of February, then finally stretched to five weeks, taking full advantage of the presence of the alumni of the Philippine Military Academy during PMA Week, which is also timed during Valentine's Day.
9. The Parade and Street Dancing Competition is usually scheduled on the Fourth Saturday of February starting from Session Road up to Melvin Jones Grounds.
10. The Session Road in Bloom event is usually scheduled starting on the Fourth Monday of February until First Sunday of March.
11. Grand Float Parade is usually held on the Fourth Sunday of February starting Session Road up to Melvin Jones Grounds.
12. The theme for 2017 is “Inspired by Beauty, Nurtured by Nature.”

Sources:

http://www.rappler.com/life-and-style/travel/ph-travel/162523-panagbenga-2017-street-dance-parade-photos

https://www.panagbengaflowerfestival.com/
http://www.gobaguio.com/panagbenga/history-of-the-panagbenga.html#.WLKw4dJ97IU
http://www.philstar.com/travel-and-tourism/2014/02/17/1291401/panagbenga-festival-history
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panagbenga_Festival
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=50Jfv0NunVA