Baguio: Garden landscape enthusiasts will have a heyday during the opening of the Panagbenga 2025 on Feb. 1 as 12 competitors will showcase their masterpieces at Burnham Park. Evangeline Payno, chief of staff of the festival’s executive committee, said the landscape entries would be judged after the festival’s opening parade on Saturday.

According to Philippines News Agency, Payno stated that the judging of the landscape competition would be done on Saturday, and the entries would serve as an added attraction for both the festival and the city throughout the Panagbenga. She also mentioned that selling areas for potted plants would be available at the landscape competition site.

The organizers have provided a PHP60,000 subsidy to each competitor to encourage the creation of well-planned landscapes. Payno emphasized that the foundation provides this subsidy to ensure quality entries in all categories, including the garden landscaping design competition.

Payno confirmed that preparations are complete for this year’s Baguio Flower Festival, known as one of the most participated festivals in the country. The ‘Baguio Blooms’ market encounter will formally open on Saturday afternoon at the Abad Santos drive in Burnham Park.

A walkway featuring different cloth materials will enhance the attraction, with various stalls offering foods, clothing, and other items. The month-long festivity will feature traditional events like ‘Handog ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya Baguio’ on Feb. 9, where families can paint on canvas to be displayed during the grand street dancing and flower float parades on Feb. 22 and 23.

The Philippine Military Academy alumni homecoming will occur from Feb. 13 to 15, followed by the Floral bouquet design competition and dish garden competition on Feb. 15. The Department of Tourism-sponsored Fluvial parade at Burnham Lake will take place on Feb. 27, displaying rowboats adorned with various flower designs. The Session Road in Bloom will run from Feb. 23 to March 2.

The Session Road in Bloom will feature micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) from Baguio, Benguet, and other regions, showcasing their One Town, One Product (OTOP) specialties and best produce, alongside local and international cuisine. Panagbenga, a Kankanaey word meaning blooming and blossoming, was initiated in 1995 to rejuvenate Baguio after the 1990 earthquake and has since become a highly anticipated festival.