Panagbenga Festival 2025 wows Baguio crowds with colorful displays, street dances

Baguio City's annual Panagbenga Flower Festival got underway on Saturday morning, delighting crowds with colorful displays and street dances from participating groups.

The Grand Street Dance Parade began at 8 a.m. from Panagbenga Park then went through Session Road, Harrison Road, Jose Abad Santos Drive, and Lake Drive to end at the Melvin Jones football field.

Thousands of tourists positioned themselves along the parade route for a closer look at the colorful parade, according to GMA Regional TV One North Central Luzon.

Students from various schools wore traditional and eye-catching costumes to highlight the Cordillera culture during the street dance parade.

The Philippine Military Academy's (PMA) Color Guard, Band, and cadets also joined the celebration.

The Balitok tribe also sent a contingent.

St. Louis University also had students joining the parade.

Spectators lined the roads and even watched the parade from a pedestrian overpass.

Street dance participants were all smiles as they took their turn at the parade.

After the parade passed through Session Road, street sweepers immediately did a cleanup.

Some roads were temporarily closed to traffic for Saturday's parade. The roads will also be closed for the Floral Float Parade on Sunday, February 23, Baguio City Police Office said.

Panagbenga Festival is on its 29th year this 2025 and has as its theme “Blossom Beyond Boundaries.”

“This year’s theme reminds us that growth has no limit. It embodies creativity, passion, and unity that define the community,” Federico Alquiros, president of the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI), said.

“For almost three decades, the Panagbenga has been the platform and bridge for culture. It also showcases the best of what Baguio can offer, artistry that captures the heart of tourists,” Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said. —KG, GMA Integrated News