BAGUIO CITY – The city had its fill of unestimable spectators crowding every nook and cranny specially in the route of the Panagbenga 2017 streetdancing and float parade this weekend.
Elementary, high school and open category streetdancing participants in their recycled materials and cordillera-inspired finery marched down to the Athletic Bowl, Burnham Park for their routine, Saturday, Feb. 25.
Aguinaldo, Baguio Central, Camp 6, Dominican-Mirador, Dona Aurora, Jose P. Laurel, Josefa Carino, Mabini and Pinget elementary school dancing contingents with their drum and lyre groups battled it out for a hundred and fifty thousand grand prize with an additional incentive from the city.
The four high school contingents also were given their due; first prize with P100,000; second, P70,000; third is P50,000 and the consolation place got P30,000. The open category with eight contestants from the city colleges and barangays, Bulacan, Kalinga, Pugo, La Union, and Manaoag, Pangasinan were in for the P130,000; P100,000; and P80,000 first, second and third prizes respectively.
The judges for the streetdancing and ground demonstration performances are Gabriele Alinio, Ferdinand Balanag, Normita Pablico, Joseph Andrew Carvajal, Rochelle Joy Gonzales, John Glenn Gaerlan and Dennis Paraguas.
For the float parade Sunday morning: small floats; ASUS Philippines, Brand boss (Coca-cola), International Praise Center and Theological Seminary of Asia and the Pacific, Lubao International, Maybank, Philippine Retirement Authority, Valley Bread, Wedding Memories, Wellmade Manufacturing take the roads up to Melvin Jones Football grounds.
Big floats with well-known television personalities are expected; ABS-CBN, Department of Tourism, GMA, International Pharmaceuticals, Jollibee, M. Lhuillier Phils, Manila North Tollways Corporation, Pepsi-Cola, Sitel, and Taloy (Tuba, Benguet) Cooperative.
Non-competing floats from Hall-of-famer Baguio Country Club, Local Government of Baguio and SM Baguio complete the parade of blooms.
Other events are: Baguio Blooms Exposition and Exhibition along Lake Drive, Burnham Park until March 5; Feb. 27 to Mar 05, Session road in Bloom; March 4, Pony Boys’ Day at Wright Park; and closing ceremonies, awarding and fireworks display on March 5.
The theme for this year’s Panagbenga, 22nd edition is, “Inspired by Beauty, Nurtured by Nature.” /Julie G. Fianza#
