BAGUIO CITY – The 30th edition of the Baguio Flower Festival (Panagbenga) saw a triumph for the underdogs.
Tribu Siglat of San Luis National High School from Pugo, La Union, claimed the top spot in the BFF30 Grand Street Dance Parade, besting competing groups from Ifugao, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, and Isabela despite being riddled with challenges that tested the students’ limits.
“Nagkaproblema [kami] from the start of our presentation kasi hindi namin na-anticipate na ganito pala kainit ang turf grass; nagsugat-sugat ang mga paa nila. ‘Yung iba, nahimatay na dahil sa sobrang init. That’s why I requested the organizers na mag-ulit kami,” said Denver Lupares, coach for Tribu Siglat.
the team saw ten of their 130 student performers sidelined due to injuries caused by the heat of the artificial 1,500-square-meter turf grass. While the barefoot students suffered from blisters, the remaining members did not let the pain hinder them from delivering the winning performance.
The storyline of their performance focused on the Bago tribe of Pugo, La Union, which continues to assert its identity as part of the indigenous communities on the border of Ilocos and the Cordillera. Their rich culture was demonstrated through traditional dances such as the Manmanok, Sadong, and Tadek, accompanied by gongs and bamboo instruments—elements reflecting their origins and beliefs.
The group also highlighted community farming and fishing, locally known as Panagkammel, a livelihood based on growing rice, vegetables, and other crops. The Panagkammel is not only a source of income but also a symbol of hard work, cooperation, and connection with nature—a narrative that secured them the grand prize of ₱200,000.
In the Drum and Lyre Elementary Category, Mabini Elementary School Drum and Lyre Corps and Street Dancing Group claimed the top spot as Grand Winner, earning ₱150,000. El Tribu d’ Lucban took home 2nd Place and ₱100,000, while Tuba Central School Drum and Lyre Corps secured 3rd Place with a prize of ₱70,000.
For the regional street dance contingents, Tribu Siglat took the gold. The 2nd Place honor went to Tribu Kanluran Jones – Pinilisa Festival from Isabela, taking home ₱100,000, while Tribu Balitok a Pagey from Malasiqui, Pangasinan, earned 3rd Place and a ₱70,000 cash prize.
“Thankful pa rin kami kasi naging maganda ‘yung performance nila. ‘Yung challenges, siguro una ‘yung schedule, kasi ang mga participants namin ay lahat estudyante. And the next one is the budget; wala kaming budget. Actually, ‘yung mga bata nag-contribute lang for our expenses, with the support, of course, of our LGU. ‘Yon ‘yung mga naging struggles namin during our preparation,” Lupares shared.
One of the highlights of the event was the presentation of the historical timeline of the festival, known as Panagbenga (a Kankanaey term for a season of blooming). The 30th-anniversary production was led by Director Rebecca Nulud, with creative movements crafted by Head Choreographer Sherwin Santiago. They were supported by a team including JM Janssen Poyaoan, Justine Hernandez, JM Bulaong, John Victor Cruz, Katherine Mae Nobleza-Estavillo, Jram Ribu, Christine Arzanan, Margaret Justin Fernandez, and Hannah Roz Tagubuan.
The music was composed by Normita Rio-Pablico, featuring the Saint Louis University Glee Club. The visual spectacle was enhanced by intricate props produced by Jonathan Leung, together with the creative contributions of UP Fine Arts, BCNHS SPA, and SLU Senior High School.
The festival’s story focused on Baguio’s resilience: the University of Baguio depicted the years before the festival; Baguio City National High School – Special Program in the Arts (BCNHS-SPA) portrayed the 1990 earthquake; Saint Louis University Laboratory High School showed the birth of the Panagbenga tradition; and the University of the Philippines Baguio highlighted the 2017 UNESCO Creative City declaration. The BCNHS-SPA closed the presentation by focusing on the 30th anniversary theme, “Blooming Without End.” Maria Elena Catajan with reports from Dianne Mallare and Juleana Christe Sarmiento, UP Baguio Interns