Baguio City is renowned for its cool climate and abundant floral resources, earning it the nickname “the City of Flowers.”
In 1990, Baguio City was struck by a devastating earthquake that caused widespread destruction. To lift public morale and support the city’s reconstruction and recovery, flowers were adopted as symbols of hope, healing, and renewal—giving rise to the Panagbenga Festival (Flower Festival).
The term “Panagbenga” comes from the local Kankanaey language and means “a season of blooming flowers”. During the Flower Festival, the entire city is adorned with flowers to symbolize the arrival of spring.
The float parade is the highlight of Panagbenga Festival. Communities, businesses, schools, and artists meticulously create giant floats for the procession. The floral decorations on the floats are made entirely from natural plants sourced from Baguio and surrounding areas—such as flowers, leaves, and vines—while all other materials used are recyclable or environmentally friendly.
With their distinctive artistic forms and imaginative designs, these floats convey the creators’ ideas and ingenuity. Themes range from Igorot culture and the natural ecosystem to fairy-tale fantasy and modern art, often enhanced with kinetic elements and lighting effects that make the floats especially eye-catching.
A procession of flower-laden floats slowly makes its way through the streets of Baguio, creating a grand spectacle with powerful visual impact. Dancers dressed in elaborate traditional costumes perform atop the floats to the rhythm of music, turning the parade into a feast for both the eyes and the senses—and a celebration of culture as well.
Today, building on its original foundations, Panagbenga Festival blends indigenous traditions, horticultural art, street performances, and environmental values, evolving into a grand, citywide celebration enjoyed by all.
During Panagbenga Festival, visitors to Baguio can see many distinctive flower varieties found only here, purchase potted plants or dried-flower handicrafts as travel souvenirs, and even take part in flower-arranging workshops to experience the art of floral design firsthand.
Here, you can find everything you want to know about flowers.
