Written by: Wayne Y. Bagaoisan, Voughn Liam D. Laruan, Dainielle Jazz P. Nunag | Photographed by: Voughn Liam D. Laruan
On February 14, 2026, the University of Baguio successfully participated and collaborated with other institutions on the city’s ‘Handog ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya Baguio’ as part of the 30th year of the Baguio Flower Festival, Panagbenga at Melvin Jones Grandstand park. The University offered a variety of free services that showcased the talents and skills of UBians, ranging from face painting, pot painting, and coloring activities, health and dental consultations, a photobooth experience, and legal services, to name a few. This traditional Panagbenga activity is organized by the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI) as part of the month-long Panagbenga Festival celebration from Feb. 1 to March 8, 2026, sponsored by various partners.
The event was kick-started by a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Baguio City Vice Mayor Faustino A. Olowan, along with other city officials. The entire morning was spent on a ceremonial painting event participated by both professional and amateurs where the administration signified the official start of the day’s event, booth set-up and showcasing of their respective activities and services, and the launch of the 11th Kite Flying Challenge participated by ages eight to 18 and above. While all paintings will be paraded in the Grand Street Dancing Parade on February 28, 2026, winners of the aforementioned contests will be announced and awarded before the Panagbenga Festival celebration ends on March 8, 2026.
The afternoon program focused primarily on performances on the Melvin Jones Grandstand given by students from each of the participating schools. The university was proudly represented by the young talents of UB Plug and Play, who serenaded the crowd with hit and timely love songs as well as the University of Baguio Bibak Ubbun Kaafuan (UBBUK), who displayed the deep and immense culture that the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) has to offer. Following the performances from the University of Baguio was a Binnadang cultural show by the University of Cordilleras, ILI wellness, a live acoustic band performance, Dayaw ti Kultra, and lastly Sayaw Pilipinas by Saint Louis University.
The University of Baguio involvement in the Panagbenga Festival reflects its commitment to service, cultural preservation, and community partnerships. Through education, creativity, and civic responsibility, the University continues to act as a catalyst fostering a healthier, more inclusive, and culturally vibrant Baguio City. This aligns to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals:
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, shown by the University’s accommodation of free dental services, posture checks, and blood typing, enabling accessible quality and preventive healthcare for the community.
- SDG 4: Quality Education is reflected by fostering artistic growth and showcasing student talent through performances and by allowing the students to demonstrate their skills and establish their confidence by practical application.
- SDG 5: Gender Equality is achieved by promoting inclusivity, representation and equal participation in all activities as all students, regardless of their gender, are given equal opportunities to partake in leadership and creative roles.
- SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth as seen through the support to local performers and contributes to community cultural events that help boost local livelihoods.
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities is demonstrated by celebrating local culture, building community ties, and encouraging shared civic pride. Through this involvement, the University of Baguio has reaffirmed its role as a responsible institution that enables the students to embrace their cultural heritage, ensuring that even urban spaces are able to remain resilient and are rooted in shared identity and values.
