Panagbenga Shooters

Last weekend, I took my second time to Baguio City this year. Back in January, I was with my family. I went back to shoot the most anticipated festival in Baguio, the Panagbenga Festival, this time accompanied by my Ateneo friends.

The Panagbenga Festival is a month-long festival of flowers, and on our trip, we were able to watch two parades in two days. The street dancing parade was held on Saturday, February 25, while the float parade happened on February 26. These two events are the highlights of the festival.

If you are into colors, nature, and taking photographs, you should consider visiting Baguio City in February. The colorful people and floats make good subjects for photographs. The parade is eye candy, from the costumes of the participants to the floats of flowers during the parade.

But with this event being the most anticipated festival in Baguio, you must prepare wisely for you to enjoy it. Here are a few tips:

1. You must book as early as possible. If you plan to take a bus, aim for booking a deluxe bus as early as January for a comfortable ride. Bus seats usually run out the week before the festival.

2. you must be prepared to wake up early. The parade starts around 8:00 AM, but I suggest you find your way to Session Road or Harrison Plaza by 6:30 AM since there are a lot of people attending the festival. My friends and I were able to get a good spot around this time, but minutes after, more people started arriving.

3. Be prepared to walk. Hailing a taxi is difficult at this time of the year. Traffic was pretty bad compared to my visit in January.

4. Stay hydrated. The Baguio weather may be cold, but the sheer volume of the people attending will warm up the environment. During my trip, for example, I saw at least four to five people faint and get rescued by the paramedics.

5. Lastly, bring great company along with you. A trip or vacation won’t be memorable without your loved ones. You’ll surely have a good time whether you bring your friends, children, or grandparents with you as the festival is for all ages.