Baguio Flower Festival turns 30

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines, Feb. 1, 2026 — Baguio City marked the opening of the 30th Panagbenga Festival on Sunday with a colorful parade featuring competing school contingents, cultural performers and government officials. The event kicks off a month-long celebration that blends tradition, tourism and community pride.

The procession began at Panagbenga Park and wound its way toward the Melvin Jones Football Grounds, where opening rites continued.

Residents and visitors gathered along the route, with crowds forming as early as morning along Session Road to watch the ceremonial start of the annual festival, themed “Blooming Without End.”

Music and synchronized movement from young performers highlighted the parade, as six schools competing in the Elementary Drum and Lyre Competition marched in formation.

Participating groups included:

• • Tuba Central School Drum and Lyre Corps
  • Pugo Central School Drum and Lyre Corps
  • El Tribu D’ Lucban
  • Baguio Central School Drum and Lyre Band
  • Puguis Elementary Drum and Lyre Corps
  • Mabini Elementary School Drum and Lyre Corps and Street

Festival leaders and tourism officials also joined the opening march, underscoring the event’s role in promoting regional identity and economic activity.

Among those present were Congressman Mauricio G. Domogan, Chairman for Life of Baguio Flower Festival, Inc. (BFFI), and Department of Tourism–Cordillera (DOT-CAR) Regional Director Jovi Ganongan.

In his message, Domogan said Panagbenga is “so much more than just a flower festival,” describing it as “a testament to our resilience and the rich heritage we carry in our hearts.”

He urged residents and visitors to celebrate “with gratitude and respect for our environment and one another.”

Security was visibly tight as the festival opened.

A day earlier, the Police Regional Office–Cordillera Administrative Region (PRO-CAR) held a send-off ceremony at the Melvin Jones Grandstand to deploy more than 2,100 personnel tasked with ensuring public safety throughout the festivities.

The contingent, led by PRO-CAR Regional Director PBGEN Ericson D. Dilag, includes police units, Bureau of Fire Protection personnel, local government responders and volunteers assigned to mobile patrols, assistance desks, quick reaction teams, crowd control and traffic management.

Police and volunteers were stationed along parade routes on Sunday to assist spectators and manage crowds.

Panagbenga, which means “season of blooming” in the Kankanaey language, has grown over three decades into one of the Philippines’ premier cultural and tourism festivals.

Major events in the coming weeks include the Grand Street Dance Parade on Feb. 28 and the Grand Floral Float Parade on March 1, both expected to draw large crowds to the mountain city known for its cool climate and pine-lined streets.