Tough preparations are now being undertaken by the the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc (BFFFI) for the 14th year celebration of the” Panagbenga” which is slated on February 1 to March 8, 2009 here.

BFFFI ‘09 Executive Committee co-chairmen, Anthony De Leon of Baguio Country Club and Frederico Alquiros of Camp John Hay, assured that despite the looming global financial crisis, they are will doing their best to come up with more, better and quality events with the assistance of their sponsors.

As part of the Baguio Centennial celebration, De Leon claimed the Panagbenga this year would have more and bigger events with lots of surprises for the locals and visitors to enjoy. Add to this the very cool temperature in the City that is expected to last until next month, that would be experienced by the local and foreign tourists.

During the launching of Panagbenga, Amboy Guevara, Chief of Staff for Panagbenga 2009, announced that the grand opening will be on February 1, with a parade, and Street Dancing Competition. There will also be a free concert at 6pm at the Melvin Jones Football Field, featuring an all female performer group from Manila called “Sani Pilif”. The opening day will be capped by a fireworks display in the evening.

During the free concert, there will also be a raffle draw, wherein holders/buyers of raffle tickets will have a chance to win a 3days/2nights trip to Singapore or Macau or Boracay – for two. Raffle Tickets cost P250 each and are now available at Mario’s, Cantineta, Baguio Country Club and the Secretariat Office.

Some major events lined-up for the Panagbenga 2009 are: Fluvial Parade at the Burnham Lake on Valentine’s Day, February 14 – which includes a presentation in the middle of the lake, circus performers going around/dine-in places around the lake and a fireworks in the evening.

The much awaited Grand Street Parade will be February 28 and a Float Parade is on March 1. De Leon reported that some street dancing groups from the lowlands have signified their intentions to participate.

We have targeted 50 floats this year, higher than last year’s 33 floats. Basically because we have waived the registration fee that the committee should be collecting from the participants, De Leon explained.

Also included as major events are: “Market Encounter” and a Landscaping contest in Burnham Park; “Session Road in Bloom” from March 2-8 wherein Session road will be closed for vehicular traffic and open for revelers for a week; Abanao Nights – February 26-28. Other major events are still being coordinated as of press time.

Numerous minor events throughout the month-long celebration, are also lined-up at the SM City Baguio, and in other venues in the city like the Baguio Convention Center, Melvin Jones, Burnham Park and the Athletic Bowl.

More than one million visitors are expected to come up to Baguio City which would be a great contribution to the income of business establishments and primarily to the economy of the city, De Leon said.

Meantime, Baguio City Police Office chief PSSupt Wilfredo Franco assured maximum deployment of personnel and maximum BCPO operations, to ensure the safety of Panagbenga visitors and revelers, and to manage traffic situation in the city. The BCPO already released a traffic and route/re-routing advisory for the Panagbenga 2009 Opening, Grand Street and Float parades and the “Session Road in Bloom” event.

“Panagbenga” or Baguio Flower Festival is a brain child of Mr. Damaso Bangaoet. It was first staged in February 1995. Now on its 14th year, it remains the biggest crowd drawer in Baguio City.

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