BAGUIO CITY: The Panagbenga Festival, also known as the Baguio Flower Festival, is back with more colorful and spectacular events as thousands of revelers from all over the country, even from as far as Mindanao, flock to the Summer Capital.

Under the theme 'A Renaissance of Wonder and Beauty,' the highlight of the festival on Saturday was the street dancing competition featuring flower-clad participants from 10 schools, most of whom wearing the traditional Cordillera attire.

The last time the street dancing competition was held at the famous Session Road down to the Melvin Jones Grandstand in Burnham Park was in 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic was declared.

Last year, the Baguio City local government decided to push through with the Flower Festival but toned down the celebrations and called off the street dancing and flower float parade.

This time, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong promised an all-out spectacle with the much-awaited Grand Float Parade taking place on Sunday.

The 2023 Panagbenga festivities actually began on February 1 with the Grand Opening Day Parade and will culminate on March 5 with the Grand Aerial Fireworks Display.