Lunar New Year Parade 2017 in Baguio City

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

Baguio City welcomes the Year of the Fire Rooster as the New Year’s Eve parade was held yesterday, January 27, 2017. Personalities as well as local and national brands graced the occasion. Flocks of people witnessed the event and had fun watching (not to mention, got some goodies the parade participants threw at them [which it seems to be a symbol of good luck for the coming year]). We’re sorry for the bracket within the bracket.

 

 

Ms. Baguio 2016, Arianne Dia Gallotan

 

Baguio City Representative, Cong. Mark Go

 

I was only limited to where I was but it was a fair good vantage point for me.

 

Here are the other photos I took during the parade, in no particular order.

 

 

People from Baguio know what this is. We usually see it at 50s Diner.

 

Wushu Federation Philippines CAR Chapter

 

 

Messing with her is not on my list.

 

 

 

 

 

Right after the parade, I rushed to Session Road. I witnessed the Writings on the Road.

 

 

Happy Lunar New Year!

 

Session Road in Bloom immediately follows after the float parade. It is when Session Road will be closed to vehicles and stalls are put up. This is a great opportunity for business owners all around the Philippines to showcase their local products and services.

The Market Encounter is in Burnham Park along Lake Drive. The only difference between Session Road in Bloom and Market Encounter is that the latter can take place earlier.

 

 

Only in the month of February when the three main roads within Baguio’s central business district are closed. Session Road in Bloom on Session Road, Market Encounter on Lake Drive, and one lane along Harrison Road for the Night Market. The Night Market in Harrison Road happens daily, which starts at 9:00 PM.

 

Car show at a big mall in Baguio City

I got invited by my good friend, Paul to go to the car show. Ian, also a friend of ours, was also with us. With our cameras, we went to the event. Here are my photos.

 

And where there are cars, there are these amazing, pretty ladies. We felt so lucky. Well, who won’t?

 

Photo credits to Paul for these images.

 

Jeepito (#TripNiJeepito) Makes an Appearance

Photo credits to Ian for this image.

 

Panagbenga 2016 Closing Fireworks Display

Later in the evening, the fireworks display concluded the Panagbenga Festival. I struggled to get a location with good vantage point. This is the make-the-most-of-what-I-have kind of shot.

 

The Beautiful Faces of Panagbenga Closing

Personally, I associate the Panagbenga Festival with beauty. Here are some shots during the 6th of March.

 

 

The float parade is one of the most awaited highlights of the Panagbenga Festival. It is usually held on the last Sunday of February before the Session Road in Bloom starts. Float designers use tons of flowers to decorate their float that attracts the attention of the crowd. Public or private entities can join to have an entry, which not only be used for their advertising but most especially to bring joy to the crowd.

 

February 28 – Flower Float Parade

Once again, I woke up at around 5:00 AM and went out at 6:00 AM. I was able to ride a jeepney. When I arrived downtown, this is what surprised me.

 

Now I’m too late to find a good spot now. Nobody is allowed to watch on the overpass. I thought this is the end for me. But as the parade goes near, people stayed on the overpass until nobody can’t go through anymore. Luckily, while I was walking along, I happened to get stuck in an area with a nice view of the parade.

 

 

Jeepito made a crowd appearance in Panagbenga 2016. This crowd favorite is arguably the smallest and cutest fully-operational jeepney. It is said that Jeepito originated in Baguio City and has been patented and registered by its owner. Jeepito can carry up to 4 passengers.

 

At last, the colorful and amazing flower floats came. In no particular order.

And with NLEX’s float participating in the parade, so as with some of PBA’s NLEX Road Warriors.

 

Here’s the float of Lower Dagsian. And who could be the one riding on it? Could it be…

 

…Yakon Man! That’s the name my co-spectators yelled. He got a loud cheer from the crowd.

 

Aside from the floats, there were also celebrities who joined the parade.

Manolo Pedrosa and Maris Racal, both former Pinoy Big Brother (PBB) housemates, joined Panagbenga 2016.

 

Real-life couple Jason Francisco and Melai Cantiveros-Francisco also joined the Panagbenga 2016 float parade.

 

And the much awaited personalities showed up. Here comes Coco Martin, Maja Salvador, Pepe Herrera, and Xymon “Onyok” Pineda.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Panagbenga is a month-long yearly festival held during February in Baguio City. The highlights of this festival is the Street Dancing Parade and the Floral Float Parade, which is usually done on the last Saturday and Sunday of the month. Panagbenga is concluded with Session in Bloom, a trade fair where businesses from all around the Philippines showcase their products and services.

 

Panagbenga means season of blooming where blossoming of flowers is believed to be at its peak in February. Flowers, apart from strawberries, brooms, peanut brittle, fruit jams, and the like, are one of the products Baguio City is well-known for. What was believed to have started as a thanksgiving for a bountiful flower harvest is now a grand celebration that attracts local and foreign tourists. But above all, Panagbenga helps to let the new generation, indigenous or alien, rediscover and appreciate Cordillera’s old traditions as well as the culture.

For many years, I’ve always stayed at home during these parade days. I don’t want to get caught in traffic or get trapped in the crowd. But this year, I braved being pushed (and to push when necessary) because I seriously need to watch the parades personally (even just once in my life, I’ve experienced watching it). And in the end, I found it all worth it.

 

February 27 – Street Dancing Parade

So here I was, woke up at 5:00 AM to prepare myself and leave home by 6:00 AM. I could either jog or ride a cab going downtown. I was lucky to catch a ride. To my surprise, flocks of people are already gathered along the roadside. Now I think I’m too late to find a good spot and I need to look for a place that has a view. I was able to secure myself in an acceptable good spot but simply not the best as it doesn’t offer a good vantage point (especially without a telephoto lens).

 

Safety and security is one of Baguio City’s top priorities during this event.

 

More people flocked the sidewalks in anticipation for the parade.

 

And finally, the parade begins… no, wait!

 

At around 10:00 AM, the parade finally started (at least from where I was at).

 

Soon the street dancers arrived. Oh, my shots are only as good as my vantage point provides. Here are some of the shots that I got, in no particular order of the performers.

 

The melodies of drums and lyres from different groups of street dancers filled the air. All the participants performed graciously with their street dancing exhibitions. Despite the scorching heat, they managed to execute their routines very well.

And of course, the parade will never be complete without showcasing Cañao, the traditional and indigenous ceremonial dance of the Cordillerans.