The Baguio Flower Festival Foundation (BFFF) and the city government launched on Monday the Panagbenga (Blooming) Festival, promising the return of “bigger and better” events next year.

“We will astound the world with one of the finest presentations that showcase our creativity and the very best cultural heritage,” Mayor Benjamin Magalong said during the launch.

The festival, which started as a Baguio community event in 1995, was scrapped in 2020 while celebrations in the succeeding years were toned down due to the pandemic.

“Let Panagbenga flourish again and again as a well-spring of hope and a sense of community pride. We will again offer the richness of our tradition, the beauty of our environment, wealth and hospitality of Baguio people that can be readily offered,” he added.

Former mayor Mauricio Domogan, lifetime chairman of the BFFF, advised the executive committee to invite festival competition winners in other provinces in the country to be part of the 2023 festival, which is a rebound of the canceled 25th year of Panagbenga in 2021.

“We hope to have them join us as contingents in the parades,” Domogan said.

Anthony de Leon, chairman of the executive committee (Execom) also said “the 2023 Panagbenga will be grander with all activities to be made bigger and better.”

The festival with the theme “A renaissance of wonder and beauty” will have institutional events like the grand street dancing parade and the float parades simultaneously happening on Feb. 25 and 26, 2023. (PNA)