There are places you experience, and then there are those that quietly shape who you become. For me, Baguio has always been the latter. It was more than just the city where I spent my college years—it became a refuge I return to when life feels overwhelming and a space I seek out when I need clarity before making life’s bigger decisions.
I once talked to a friend about why Baguio holds such a strong place in my life. She suggested that it was the place where I first learned to be independent. Everything felt new and uncertain, and I had to make decisions for myself while slowly discovering who I was becoming.
The more I thought about it, the more sense it made. Baguio wasn’t just the setting of my college years; it was where I experienced independence, navigated life without safety nets, and learned from quiet, ordinary moments.
College and life outside the classroom weren’t always easy. There were doubts and uncertainties, but Baguio made space for all of it. The city slows you down, giving room to think, feel, and grow.
That’s why I keep coming back—not just out of nostalgia, but because Baguio taught me that growth comes in small, quiet realizations. I still miss its pine-scented air, foggy mornings, and the way it blooms, especially during Panagbenga.
A Kankanaey word meaning “season of blooming,” Panagbenga began in 1996 to help the city recover from the 1990 Luzon earthquake. What started as a symbol of resilience has grown into one of the Philippines’ most iconic festivals, drawing thousands each year to see its vibrant flower floats, rhythmic street dances, and cultural showcases.
For those of us who once called Baguio home, Panagbenga has always felt personal. I didn’t just witness it as a visitor but experienced it deeply while studying in the City of Pines.
In our journalism classes, we were often assigned to cover Panagbenga. More than an academic task, it meant stepping into the city’s biggest celebration and learning to tell stories in real time. We interviewed performers, vendors, and visitors, each with a story to share. I remember doing stand-up coverage in the middle of Session Road, capturing the energy while crowds moved all around me.
Over the years, I’ve written news stories on Panagbenga from many angles, discovering new perspectives on the festival and its people.
This year, I was invited by the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI), through our longtime friend Edu Jarque, to celebrate the closing of the 30th edition and experience activities beyond the street dancing and float parade. We were hosted by Ramon Cabrera, general manager of The Brent Guest House, a serene area near Brent International School and the Pink Sisters Convent with fewer crowds, quaint cafés, and a cozy bookshop—a quiet retreat from the usual bustle of Baguio.
“This is a very small operation that we put together. We are marketing our activities for corporate gatherings and events, but at the same time, we provide travelers a place for warm relaxation and a family-friendly getaway,” shared Cabrera.
They have Third Space Cafe, a perfect place to enjoy a homey vibe. “We call it the Third Space for a very simple reason. You have your home, you have your work or school, and we become the third space—a place where you can relax, dine, and spend time.”
Just the perfect place to unwind after enjoying the Panagbenga revelry.
A milestone year that highlights not just longevity, the festival carried the theme “Blooming Without End,” which speaks of its resilience and continuous blooming, something that resonates even more when you’ve experienced Baguio’s challenges and growth firsthand.
With a renewed focus on sustainability, cultural pride, and community cooperation, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong shared that the festival, and the city in general, shifted toward sustainable tourism anchored on a circular economy amid growing concerns on waste management.
“We are working closely with the United Nations, along with members of the alliance, to develop a program on solid waste management. We hope to achieve something significant, especially in sustainable tourism. If you look at the city’s solid waste problem, a big part of it is generated by tourism. That’s the reason why we have to put together a strong circular economy program,” shared Mayor Magalong.
Mayor Magalong also explained that this year’s festival focused on behavioral change at the barangay level, youth-centered green education, and stronger green tourism practices. He noted that the festival was now largely led by the private sector, under the BFFFI, with government support in logistics and safety, making “the event smoother, less politicized, and more efficient.”
Baguio Lone District Rep. Mauricio Domogan, involved in Panagbenga’s founding, highlighted that the festival’s sustainability relies on strong collaboration across sectors—including businesses, the police, participants, and sponsors.
“It is really a collective effort. That is what sustains Panagbenga. We will continue to introduce innovations and improve Panagbenga. We will learn from whatever shortcomings we had and continue to improve,” shared Rep. Domogan.
That sense of community is something I take to heart. While living in Baguio, I felt Panagbenga was something everyone owned. Whether you were a student watching from the sidelines, a vendor selling along Session Road, or a performer dancing in full costume, you were part of it.
Even now, as the festival continues to evolve with bigger performances, more elaborate floats, and growing participation, its essence remains the same. It is still about culture, identity, and resilience. It is still about blooming again and again, no matter the challenges.
“This is one of the festivals that shows our cultural heritage and enhances our identity as people of the Cordillera,” said Rep. Domogan.
The closing ceremonies at Melvin Jones Grandstand highlighted Panagbenga’s top winners. Afterward, my colleagues and I joined Session Road in Bloom, a bustling corridor of flowers, handicrafts, and food stalls.
As night fell and crowds thinned, the street softened, letting me pause and take in the flowers, glowing lights, and gentle rhythm of the city, feeling Panagbenga’s pulse and Baguio’s timeless serenity.
