PANAGBENGA 2008 LAUNCHED

BAGUIO CITY- The 13th version of the Baguio Flower Festival or Panagbenga 2008 was launched last Monday at the city hall lobby with city officials and employees in attendance, and with the theme; “Celebrating 13 years of Caring.”

The program moved on with the presence of Baguio’s top solon Mauricio Domogan while Mayor Reinaldo Bautista, Jr. declared the official launching of the flower festival.

The Saint Louis University Glee Club rendered the invocation and a presentation for the program while a press conference followed at the city hall multi-purpose hall after the ceremonies.

Queries and information as to the proceedings for the flowerfest were then addressed by the city officials, headed by the congressman.

In a letter from the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFI) Executive Committee which was officially mandated to head Panagbenga 2008, traditional and innovative activities shall run from Feb. 1 to March 2 next year, bannering a “One City, One Panagbenga endeavor.”

Expected to be implemented during Panagbenga 2008 are traditional flower-inspired activities; the “Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom” painting contest, opening parade, drum and lyre competitions, market encounter, grand floral parade, float parade, and “Session Road in Bloom,” in prime places within the city.

Activities such as the Pony boys day, Mr. Panagbenga, barangay roadside and parks landscaping and beautification contest, golf tournament, marathon and other sports events are also expected during the flowerfest.

Innovative and novel activities are still being planned, the letter from the executive committee states further.

Assurance from the BFFI executive committee was also given, that as Panagbenga is a “community-based, private-sector led and government supported event,” “concepts and standards of the festival as originally conceptualized, with ultimate purpose of providing wholesome and outstanding events and activities,” will be “appreciated by both the residents and visitors of the city of Baguio and Benguet.”

The executive committee and committees for the different activities, as created in an earlier administrative order are composed of government officials, representatives from national line agencies, the academe, professional groups, business people, non-government agencies, flower growers, sports enthusiasts, and members of the media.

Panagbenga, started as a flower-inspired, flower-themed festival 13 years ago to boost the tourism industry during February, considered then to be a lull month between yuletide celebrations and busy, crowded holy week and summer vacation rush.- juliegfianza

Panagbenga 2008 Launched By: Julie Fianza
Email: baguiocity.com@gmail.com
Posted: December 01, 2007 05:14:18 AM GMT(+8) www.baguiocity.com