Corporate floats sweep Panagbenga top honors

BAGUIO CITY, Philippines — Corporate-backed floats swept top honors at the 2026 Panagbenga Grand Floral Float Parade, organizers said Wednesday, with fast-food and retail giants dominating all three competition categories in one of the festival’s biggest events.

Topping the Large Category was McDonald’s-Golden Arches Development Corporation, taking home ₱1 million, followed by Jollibee Food Corporation with ₱400,000, and Chooks-to-Go with ₱300,000.

In the Medium Category, Chowking-Fresh n’ Famous Foods, Inc. claimed ₱350,000, while Mang Inasal and Palawan Express Pera Padala earned ₱250,000 and ₱150,000, respectively.

The Small Category went to Zaparita’s Garden (Parrots) with ₱100,000, followed by Euricka Garden (₱50,000) and Zaparita’s Garden (Pegasus) (₱30,000).

Anthony R. De Leon, co-chairperson of the Program and Policy Committee and Executive Committee member of Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI), announced the winners during the Kapihan sa Session Road in Bloom event Wednesday morning.

A total of 25 floats competed, while five others joined as non-competing entries, including hall of famers SM Prime Holdings, Inc. and Baguio Country Club.

The awarding of prizes will be held during the festival’s closing ceremonies on Sunday, March 8, 2026, from 2 p.m. onwards at the Melvin Jones Grandstand and Football Field.

Police reported a sharp rise in attendance during the float parade.

An estimated 200,000 spectators watched Sunday’s Grand Floral Float Parade, up from 160,000 last year, according to PCol. Ruel D. Tagel, director of the Baguio City Police Office.

Saturday’s Grand Street Dance Parade drew about 45,000 attendees, significantly lower than last year’s 150,000.

BFFFI also announced prize allocations for other festival competitions.

Drum and Lyre winners will receive ₱150,000 for first prize, ₱100,000 for second, and ₱70,000 for third.

Evangeline B. Payno, Panagbenga chief of staff and chairperson for Secretariat and Protocol, said all official participants were granted ₱100,000 each to mobilize their entries.

For the Festival Dance competition, winners will receive ₱200,000 for first prize, ₱100,000 for second, and ₱70,000 for third.

Rebecca L. Nulud, chairperson of the Panagbenga Dance Competitions under the Panagbenga Creative and Cultural Council, said non-winning participants were given ₱50,000 each as participation grants.