Written By Zhein Carlo Molina
As one of the only four educational institutions in Baguio City who supported the Panagbenga as a civic movement in helping to recover the earthquake-ravaged City in 1990, the University of Baguio (UB) remained true to its dedication in upholding the very essence of Panagbenga—that no matter what, Baguio is resilient and will always back each other up in times of blooming and chaos.
History of resilience, community-building: Panagbenga as a civic group
Panagbenga is widely known today as a season of blooming, of celebration, and of the grandest flower festival of Baguio City. But before it comes to this, its history is more than special and worthy of being remembered. This dates back to July 16, 1990 when Luzon was stricken by a 7.7 magnitude earthquake, where Baguio City suffered a major hit from it. The earthquake-ravaged city was restored by the community’s movement through volunteerism and local economic recovery initiatives. The Panagbenga once was a major civic group founded in 1995 to help the city recover. Financial aid and support came from the community and its neighbors, as well as from these four educational institutions–University of Baguio, Baguio City National High School – Special Program in the Arts, Saint Louis University, and the University of the Philippines Baguio. This now made the Panagbenga a celebration of blooming from the busts of yesterday.
The City’s Journey to its Prime Era: Grand Street Dance Parade and Eras Performance
With this historic event of the city’s resiliency, the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Incorporated (BFFFI) produced a collaborative performance highlighting the five eras of Baguio City—from its model city era now a globally and culturally recognized city with local and international cultural ties and global festival networks. This is in light of the celebration of this year’s Panagbenga to reminisce how the City is continuously thriving and overcoming every challenge it faces within its 30 years journey. The Eras Performance was directed and conceptualized by Rebecca Lim Nulud of the BFFFI.
UB as a Community Leader, Supporter
The UB is indeed beyond its call for education and extends to civic engagement for the betterment of the community in all of its aspects. And this includes partnership with the city government and the foundation to come up with a performance that can signify a very important part of Panagbenga.
UB is in full support of the festival as its performing groups, other student volunteers, and coordinators joyously engage in the parade and performance. UB Graces and UBBUK joined other student performers from the three educational institutions mentioned in the eras’ performance and had their several training sessions within a month. Other volunteers, such as production assistants, cadets, and instrumentalists, had their orientations, training, and practices as well prior to the events.
The University is in one with the fulfillment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), such as:
- SDG 4: Quality Education, UB participated to treasure and relearn the very essence of history and culture of the Baguio City, which is through a performance that likewise used to transmit the message to the community;
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities, Panagbenga, which UB supported, promotes cultural heritage and local identity; and
- SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals, UB welcomes collaboration with other partners, like the City Government and the Foundation.
