BAGUIO CITY – With flowers and waving feathers, bright cloaks and shimmering veils, flags and twirling umbrellas, instruments covered with blooms and dancing musicians; pupils garbed in neon-colored costumes and accessories, from elementary schools kicked off Panagbenga 2012 with a parade from Panagbenga Park up to the Baguio Athletic Bowl, last Wednesday.

A dance showdown followed until the announcement of winners just after noon. Baguio Central Elementary School won with a Hundred and Thirty Thousand (130,000) prize, followed by Don Mariano Marcos Memorial Elementary School with a Hundred and Ten Thousand (P110,000) peso prize; as Special Education Center garnered third place with Ninety Thousand Pesos (P90,000) for their efforts.

All the participating elementary schools; Mabini, Dona Aurora, Lucban, San Vicente, Pacday Quinio, Aguinaldo, Dona Nicasia Puyat, John Hay, Josefa Carino, and Benguet Schools; Camp 3 of Tuba and La Trinidad Central School, went home with Thirty Thousand Pesos (P30,000) each.

In his message, the mayor commended the children, their parents and all those who worked hard for the opening parade. He also paid tribute to supporters and sponsors of the event.

As the theme of the 17th staging of Panagbenga is "Community Convergence for a Sustainable Tourism Growth," the mayor gave emphasis on the interplay of economic progress and tourism, with effects on the academic growth of the city.

Congressman Bernardo Vergara joined the parade and complimented the barangay officials and the supporters who braved the heat of the sun for the occasion. He asked for continuing support for all Panagbenga activities.

The crowd thus watched the fourteen school-participants parade and sashay along with their own drum and lyre group. The participants have brought with them floriferous arches, colorful strips, giant fans, angel wings, reversible and fold-up materials for their dance numbers.

The computer game character, "Angry Birds" was part of a delegation's décor, as with confetti during and after a performance and a short dragon doing a final run in front of the musicians.

Anthuriums on anahaw leaves, and not sunflowers were used as one school's decoration.

Lively dancing tunes were also played by the drum and lyre participants, as the La Trinidad Central School's Benguet Tayao was highlighted at the last part of the competition.

Barangay participants also donned all-black attires, sailor-collar shirts, and uniform colored shirts, for the parade along the main thoroughfares up to Burnham Park.

Started seventeen (17) years ago, Panagbenga continues to draw in local and foreign tourists for the streetdancing and float parades featuring flowers and Cordillera culture.

Classes in the college level has been suspended on Feb. 25, Saturday, for the streetdancing parade, while the traffic number coding scheme has also been suspended from Feb. 13 to March 2.

The Market Encounter has commenced and in place at Burnham Park for flower-themed products, until the closing on March 4. The flower float parade shall be on Feb. 26; while Session Road in Bloom shall be from Feb. 27 to Mar. 4.

Pony Boys' Day which features races and games on horseback shall be on March 2; while the closing ceremonies shall be on March 4. Other activities are expected at various venues.

Inquiries as to activities may be done at tel no. (074) 442-43-15, or at the Panagbenga office, near the City Library, Burnham Park.