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Showdown looms for Baguio flower festivals

BAGUIO CITY (Jan. 27) — Not admitting that they are both geared towards a showdown, two Baguio Flower Festivals of “warring” organizers could only mean one vivid reality, two festivals pitted against each other.

Leaders and supporters of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI) announced on Friday noon they are holding their own version of the “Panagbenga” (meaning “a time to bloom” in native highland dialect).

Even as most of their revelries will be at the private Camp John Hay, their float parade and street dancing will be at Session Road on February 25 and 26, respectively. Rival Baguio Panagbenga Flower Festival Association (BPFFA) led by Catholic Bishop Carlito Cenzon and businesswoman Nelia Cid had practically “crossed out” all public places for their use upon directives of Mayor Braulio Yaranon.

However, Lawyer Damaso Bangaoet, touted as the “brains behind the Panagbenga”, 10 years ago, was quick to retort, “The two Panagbengas are complimentary and is an opportunity rather than a problem.”

Bangaoet said he sees the beauty of two festivals because people joining the revelries from February until March will have more to expect. 

Bangaoet said, that if there would be any competition, it would be a friendly one.  He explained further that the situation that seemed hopeless to unite the two groups with only a few days left “brings out our ability to organize things better.”

He said they had made it a point that their schedules will not conflict with that of the BPFFA-led celebrations citing that the BFFFI street dancing parade is on the afternoon of 26th while the BPFFA is on the morning of January 25.

Bangaoet who vowed he would join the opening ceremonies of the BPFFA-led rites on Monday at the Rose Garden here, said they will open their own celebrations at SM-Baguio on February 1.

Bangaoet again brushed aside insinuations that they did not want to unify with the BPFFA.  “We had always been open for one,” he said.

More to see

This time, BFFFI organizers said they have convinced Camp John Hay again to participate after it shunned the limelight three years ago when it turned over the festival to the city.  “New features, additions and activities await the revelers at John Hay,” said Bangaoet.

He claimed they have also enjoined SM-Baguio to put out its own participation in the Panagbenga to add more zest to the overall celebrations.

The Baguio-Benguet Flower Growers Association present during the press briefing at the tourism department’s office here on Friday is also saddened of split participation. According to one of the members, their president is joining the BPFFA while more than 20 of them want it with the Camp John Hay Market Encounter.

Bangaoet said a tele-communications company and other firms are supporting them while these are also supporting the BPFFA-led rites.

Bangaoet shared that two big brass bands from outside the Cordillera region and bands from Cavite and other provinces are joining the street dancing and float parades. Officials from Camarines Sur, Malolos, Bulacan and nearby towns in Region 1 and 2 are also joining. 

Saint Louis University, University of Baguio and University of the Cordilleras here had declared they would not join in any of the two rites if there remains not united, Bangaoet told the media.

Baguio Rep. Mauricio Domogan, a leading official in the BFFFI, claimed the participation of Manny Pacquiao who is expected to join the parade.  A garden at the planned Panagbenga Park at Loakan Road will be named after Pacquiao and his family.

Yaranon also claimed that the BPFFA has invited Pacquiao to grace any of its activities.

BPFFA-led activities will open its rites on Monday, which World-class wushu athletes from the Cordillera who won during the recent SEA games will attend. # Ace Alegre for NORDIS

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