3 reasons that will make your Panagbenga Festival visit worthwhile

Thousands of Filipinos go to Baguio just to experience the Panagbenga Festival, but only a few people really understand the essence of the event.
In the recent years, the Panagbenga Festival has been so commercialized, it seems that the theme " Nature" and " Sustainability" is not met.
The Flower Parade instead of showcasing real creativity-- is filled with 90% advertising, only 10% of the remaining original theme and Igorot culture remains in the festivities.

Instead of experiencing the beauty of the Pine trees or having the chance to see the fantastic flowers and vegetable produce of Baguio and La Trinidad, most tourists are stuck in traffic.

There is hardly any beauty to be found in the yearly Market Encounter found in Burnham Park, the stalls are just filled with common "tiangge" or Made in China products, while the Session in Blooms regardless to say lacks character and originality-- common Fast food chains and restaurants take over the place-- its as if the stalls in SM City Baguio just went down- to offer the same thing that people all over the Philippines have already tried.

While this is a depressing thought, not everything should be depressing about a tourist visit to Baguio, after all the City of Baguio still has some of the best artists the world has seen.

Here are 3 ways to make your Panagbenga Festival visit worthwhile:

1. A chance to meet and see the works of Baguio artists


Needless to say, without the Baguio art community-- Baguio would be nothing.  Only the Baguio artists who continue to inspire creative works in the city remain as the only thing that will make a Baguio resident proud of their culture.
 Surprisingly, the city has yet to honor the efforts of various Baguio artists that continue to uphold the dignity of the city.


Vocas Artists and newly founded artist groups are the stronghold of the Baguio Community. Why?
Because without their creative thinking--there is hardly anything you would want to tour in the City that was once called the City of Pines..

In order to appreciate Baguio artists-- you need to visit some of the best artworks that they have created with combined efforts all over the city.

Not every artist in Baguio is mentioned in newspapers or documentaries, not everyone has been given the chance to get their names known like Ben Cab or Kidlat Tahimik-- but it does not mean that their work is not valuable, or that their work does not inspire countless of visitors in Baguio every year.

Where to go: Ben Cab Museum, Illy Likha art resto cafe ( Assumption Road),  Anito Bar& Cafe ( Mines View Park,  Tam-Awan arts village.

When we talk about Baguio artists, we are also talking about poetry slam artists-- fortunate guests who arrive in the right time would be able to hear some of the best poetry slam artists in Baguio perform their award winning poems in Mt. Cloud Bookshop.



Mt. Cloud Book shop is located at Casa, Vallejo a century old hotel in Baguio City.

When we say art, we also consider the efforts of theater performance artists such as Rey Angelo Aurelio and Dumay Solinggay who collaborate with Japanese artists and artists from all over the world--to produce one of a kind stage plays not only in Baguio but the entire Philippines.

People who want to see them perform live, could try their luck by hanging out in usual places where artists hang out like Assumption  Road, La Azotea, Anito Bar Cafe , Mt. Cloud bookshop, SLU CCA and U.P Baguio.

2. Baguio Musicians


Ever heard of Power Puff Corn? The Edralins?  the band Session road? well there is certainly more of this amazing talents in Baguio.

Although this people are not usually featured in TV shows like Darryl Shy or the Metamorphosis dancing group, you can be sure that lots of them still exist in the city of Baguio.

 Baguio is complete with every musician you can imagine, this is the home of theater performer, singer and composer Karlo Altomonte and the group Open Space.


This is also the home of John Gaerlan, a classical music artist who is also teaching music lessons at the University of Baguio.

Open Space is just one of the best theater and singer performers that can be found in Baguio-- they are composed of some of the best singers the country has seen.

If you feel like being entertained by classy and sophisticated voices-- go to  the Forest House and catch Ethan Andrew Ventura and wife  doing a memorable performance.

Some of the best musical groups still perform in some of the best bars and restaurants in Baguio. If you want to hear them sing, try your luck at Casa, Vallejo ( Hill Station) Ki'Kan bar ( former Ayuyang Bar at Gov. Pack road)

Ki'kan bar features some of the best folk singers in town, if you feel like hearing some of the best bands in Baguio try Ki'kan-- you won't be disappointed. If you just want laid back romantic music, you can try Duyan Bar owned by Brix Tan.



The Baguio music scene is still alive, and there are still noteworthy bands that people can check out.

Did I forget to mention this is also the home of the brilliant University of the Cordilleras Chorale and Orchestra?

During the Panagbenga Festival, Baguio musicians often come together at an event called " Baguio Music Festival", it is a free public event that is usually set on John Hay grounds near Techno Hub.

Have a picnic with the family while listening to brilliant artists..

3. Baguio Environmentalist Groups

Despite the deteriorating natural beauty of Baguio, some dedicated groups in Baguio are working hard to restore the former glory of Baguio.



There  are certain groups that are set on creating Eco-Forest parks that will benefit the people of Baguio in the long run.

This groups are highly active and continue to encourage residents and people outside Baguio to plant trees and more.

Some of the more prominent figures will include Michael Bengwayan and his FB group a Tree a Day, there is also another active community group by Sonn Fernandez called Save the needy Now.

 People who want to involve themselves in creative and environmental projects can add them up on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/Atreeaday/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/463627880409008/

 If you feel like planting, or visiting private forest parks in Asin and Badiwan Habitat in order to help out and feel nature for a moment while in Baguio then this are the key people to contact.

Another forest park is being created called the Badiwan Habitat, it is still in the works. In the future it will be useful for so many people not only in Baguio.

Fruit bearing trees and amazing artworks are set to be created in Asin and places near Baguio. People visiting in Baguio could one day plant trees and place their names on it. One day sooner than expected people could actually dedicate trees for dead loved ones.

Groups such as this are getting more and more creative when it comes to making sure that the trees of Baguio will remain standing.

Remember the group that protested SM City Baguio for planning to cut 182 trees? well the members have been spread out all over the country to help spread out what they have learned about real environmental advocacy.

What to check: Asin Forest Park
Badiwan Habitat

https://www.facebook.com/groups/495279257193181/

https://www.facebook.com/libinganpark?ref=profileit.

Baguio City is so much more than just the Panagbenga Festival. Get to know the real community.