The NIGHTMARE begins as early as November when I am awoken by the sound of drums beaten and lyre being hit as loud and as off key as it can get. I don't mind if the local primary school does their practice for an entry in the Panagbenga 2014 Flower festival parade. It's a way of showing kids how to work hard at an early age, but don't you think education is greatly affected?
The children who pay to study in a public school endure months of practice for either street dance or drum and lyre band competition. The government keeps saying through the media that it is indeed a great way to attract investors. It's free as well as the administration does not need to exert any extra work since the kids do the advertising for them. Think of it like a queen bee who just lays the eggs for the colony while the workers bust off their butts to gather food/honey, feed the young and protect their habitat. Only the government do not lay eggs. It has both positive and negative outcomes and it's an issue that the department of education should sort out. By the way, all the "positives" are credited to the councilmen and women, not to the kids.
What is it like to rent a stall along Session road for the annual "Session Road in Bloom"? Well, according to an interview with one of the participants for the past years who by the way wishes to stay anonymous, It is like getting ripped off right under your nose. Take note that some of the facts that are about to be unfolded, came from their personal experiences so it does not apply to all businesses that took part in the event. Some of the stalls which is a mere 36 square feet of space is rumored to be priced at a whooping PHP 100,000.00 wherein utilities and tent are excluded (I will be investigating this matter later on - last year was PHP 60Kcontrary to the one announced to the public which was P24, 000 per tent with a P2,000 bond). At the same time, breaches were fined, an example of this is a food stall that failed to wear face masks and hair nets were charged P 4,000.00 times the number of employees that were involved. Now how about providing them what they deserve first? How about installing a drainage system for the food stalls? Or perhaps a recycling centre for the entire community? Since the costs are so great. Absurd isn't it? Where/Whose pocket do these monies go to?
Panagbenga 2014 will be chaired by Mayor Mauricio Domogan, BFFI Executive chairman Anthony de Leon and Executive Committee co-chairman Frederico Alquiros. This bunch of fellows has rejected a large amount of applicants who wanted to participate in the SRB as they do not abide by the guidelines provided by the trio. What were the guidelines anyway? Apparently, These blokes target the much larger fish which are mostly high class hotel and restaurants. Now isn't that really nice? (for them..cough cough..indeed it is) I will be straightforward, the visitors that came during the past Panagbenga festivals are mostly people of the middle to low class who have little amount of disposable income. Large part of this group is composed of primarily students who cannot afford the so called high class services/commodities that are being promoted during the SRB. What's your objective exactly? I myself am not afraid of change, however, this seems very drastic. How about taking it one step at a time? Perhaps you can be more strict in implementing HACCP to food stalls since the cost wouldn't be as high as what they have paid for. Wouldn't it be nice to be service oriented than being business minded all of the time?
This time of the year is my personal retreat month where I tend to travel as far as I can though I do indulge in some activities like the "Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom" wherein I let the paint brush do the talking by creating a masterpiece that is based on whatever comes to mind and also heavily depends on how I feel that day. During the Panagbenga, the streets will be very crowded that moving a distance of a meter would take a minute. The number of people can reach to millions composed of visitors plus the 300K residents. Nevertheless, vehicle traffic will be much more of a headache. This phenomenon contributes to the rise of city's temperature and my temper, sadly, the city forbids me to walk about the streets with my 4 foot long sword and rifle.
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| Getting Ready for Panagbenga 2014 |
Let's talk rubbish! Over the course of almost two decades, the local residents have suffered a lot cleaning up the garbage that was brought into the city by tourists who come to see the Baguio Flower Festival a.k.a. Panagbenga. How difficult is it to hold on to your refuse until spotting a bin where you can chuck it in? Perhaps you can carry around a small bag where you can temporarily put away your accumulated scrap if you cannot find a dumpster. Waste segregation will also be very much appreciated.
Photos from Panagbenga 2010
Aftermath
Below is a List of Events, dates when it will take place and location
Feb.1
- Kickoff: Opening ritual - Panagbenga Park
- Drum and lyre competition - Athletic Bowl
- Opening of Baguio Blooms: Landscaping competition -Burnham Park
- Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming - Obviously PMA
- Handog ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya Baguio - Burnham Park
- Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom painting activity - Melvin Jones Field
- Street Dancing Parade - Session Rd.
- Grand Flower Float parade - Session Rd.
- Session Road in Bloom
- Pony Boys' Day - Wright Park
- Closing Ceremonies and Grand Fireworks Display - Best places to see the fireworks are at the Melvin Jones Field, Burnham Park, Baguio City Hall Mini Park, Maharlika Livelihood Complex Rooftop.
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