Written by Aaron Nathaniel Tuzon & Maria Sophia Nicalaine Razon
Photos courtesy of Baguio City Tourism Office & Baguio City PIO
As the 29th Panagbenga Festival Grand Parade in Baguio City, with the theme “Blossoms Beyond Boundaries,” held on the 22nd of February 2025, concluded as a success. The City Tourism Office interns from the University of Baguio-School of Business Administration and Accountancy (UB-SBAA) celebrated their victory for being one of the forefronts who paved the way for the celebration of culture, heritage, and tourism on a city-wide scale. The interns shared their excitement, fulfillment, and the honorary testament affiliated as they applied their dedication and expertise in the preparation and parade proper. Indeed, the annual festival did not just celebrate the flourishing of flowers within the vicinity but offered an avenue that brought together the province’s locals and several representatives from Baguio’s Sister Cities to commemorate the identity and unity shared in Baguio.
The 2025 Panagbenga Festival Parade began at 8:00 AM from Panagbenga Park with several beautiful costumes and talented street dancers leading the route towards the culminating event at the Melvin Jones field. Each item surrounding the parade’s processions offered a valuable meaning that displayed cultural pride, paired with the colorful resources and enthusiastic participants that made the event triumphant. The presence of Baguio City’s guests also embodied the essence of this year’s theme of “Blossoms Beyond Boundaries” as the Sister Cities of Baguio included delegates from Vaughan City, Ontario, Canada; Hanyu City, Japan; Gongju City, Republic of Korea; Taebaek City, Republic of Korea; San Antonio, Texas, USA; Vallejo City, California, USA; Narvacan, Ilocos Sur, Philippines; San Jose City, Nueva Ecija, Philippines; and Honolulu, Hawaii, USA. With the diversity within the participating audience, the Panagbenga became a significant emblem of unity and collaboration through inclusivity and cultural appreciation.
Throughout the parade, the UB-SBAA interns took turns completing their designated tasks, including logistical support, management and assistance of Sister Cities’ representations, and overall event coordination to ascertain streamlined performance for the dignitaries, performers, and the general public. The UB-SBAA interns who showcased their exemplary commitment and support to the festival were Kristine Cassandra Bartido (BSBA-FM), Abby Nicole Da-ga (BSBA-MM), Jerome Espeleta (BSBA-FM), Angelika Ferrer (BSBA-MM), Jeshuah Leigh Juan (BSBA-MM), Al Vincent Medriano (BSBA-OM), Rheeden Mejia (BSBA-FM), Allen Kyser Soria (BSBA-OM), and Aaron Nathaniel Tuzon (BSBA-FM).
Despite the tiresome whole-day event, these specific individuals commemorated a meaningful experience as they recognized their contributions to the completion of Sustainable Development Goals. Their efforts assisted Baguio City and the Philippines to reach SDG 11, which protects the world’s cultural and natural heritage, as they utilized their academic learnings to become of assistance. As a result, they also ensured that the University of Baguio would achieve its contribution to SDG 4 or the promotion of quality education and lifelong learning.
In an interview after the festival, Espeleta, one of the interns stated that “sharing my own traditions with the Vallejo, California delegates made me appreciate my own culture even more. This exchange has been rewarding and eye-opening because it showed me the beauty of diversity and the value of real connections.”
“Just last year, I was in the crowd, watching and taking pictures of the street dancers, admiring the beauty of Panagbenga from the sidelines. But this time, I was part of it—I was in the parade.” Ferrer added that she represented the City Tourism Office of Baguio as the designated tour guide at the Botanical Garden during the festival and offered general assistance during the parade.
On top of these, Da-ga, being the intern designated on the events division, shared that the parades’ success was crafted with care. “We anticipated needs before they arose, synchronized movements with the grandeur of the event, and maintained a level of hospitality that reflected the warmth and excellence of Baguio. Our delegation was not merely about guidance—it was about storytelling, immersion, and the celebration of the enduring ties between cities and cultures,” she said in an interview.
As the petals of the Panagbenga 2025 Grand Parade slowly drifted, the UB-SBAA interns from the City Tourism Office proudly showcased their culture as they made significant contributions to the success of the event. This dedication and heartfelt experience embodied the student-intern’s commitment to excellence and service, fostering the preservation of Baguio’s culture, strengthening relationships with the city’s Sister Cities, and promoting tourism that highlights the country’s rich heritage.
