Baguio Flower Fest 2025 launched

Art Dumlao — January 8, 2025

Baguio Flower Fest 2025 launched

BAGUIO CITY (January 6, 2025)—The 29th year staging of the Baguio Flower Festival, popularly known “Panagbenga" (a term adopted from the Kankanaey language to mean blooming) was launched Monday morning at the Baguio City Hall grounds.



Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. President Frederico Alquiroz said the theme for this year's festival is "Blossom Beyond Boundaries", explaining that “it embodies creativity, passion and unity that defines the community of Baguio”. He stressed such traits inspire the people to aim higher, dream bigger and achieve together.


Alquiroz said one of the upgrades in this year’s "Panagbenga" is the raising of stakes and hiking up the prices for the participants of the medium and large float category for the “Grand Float Parade", while continuing the all-out support to the participants of the small float category. 


He disclosed that they are bringing back the college category to the "Grand Street Dancing" in addition to the Elementary Drum and Lyre Competition, High School Category, Open Category and Cultural Category. This is part of the infusion of greater vibrance and more talents to the festival, he explained.


Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said “Panagbenga" continues to evolve where it is worth to bring it's legacy of transparency and planning where the community is involved further. He encouraged the people to give suggestions or solutions to challenges and set backs as the festival goes on. 


Magalong also urged the people to maximize the existing bodies in ensuring the smooth flow of the activities and the festival itself. He said they should approach or be in close touch with the Barangay councils, Peoples Councils and the Youth Development Councils.

“Panagbenga" officially starts on February 1 with an opening parade followed by different activities all throughout the month-long festival. 

Still two major crowd attractions— the "Grand Street Dancing Parade" on February 22 and "Grand Float Parade" on February 23 will highlight the festival, perhaps the country’s most-attended festival.


After the float parade, a week-long "Session Road in Bloom", Baguio’s version of street promenade along the city’s main thoroughfare caps Panagbenga toward’s a grand fireworks display putting the fest to a close on March 2, 2025.


Time to Pass the Torch: Why Political Comebacks Are Not the Answer
By Malou Laxamana Pascual May 5, 2025
As the May 12 election nears, a quiet but growing movement is making itself heard in Baguio City. It does not come from the traditional campaign stage or the usual political dynasties. It is not funded by machinery or driven by name recall. It comes from the ground, from the young, and from those who are tired of the cycle. Tired of the same names, the same faces, the same families. Tired of watching opportunity slip away as public service is reduced to a personal brand.
ASEAN bloc called on to protect journalists, media freedom
By Art Dumlao May 4, 2025
ASEAN bloc called on to protect journalists, media freedom
Abra lawmaker tops RPMD Foundation’s job performance assessment
By Art Dumlao May 3, 2025
Abra lawmaker Menchie Bernos bested five of her Cordillera congressmen-colleagues at the most recent job performance assessment ‘Boses ng Bayan' by RPMD Foundation Inc. (RPMD).