Festivals

THE word “Festival” came from the word “feast” – a community’s celebration of abundance or an aspect of that community’s religion or traditions. Historically, although such kind of celebration in many cultures originated from religion (like our country’s town fiesta in commemoration of patron saints, or other country’s commemoration of their ancient gods), many cultures center their festivity on “harvest” like most Cordillera towns. Those essential qualities of festivals are not lost in modern festivals – they will always be a celebration of the community, although now considered as tourism events.

“So if it is a community event, why are Baguio folks staying in their homes during the city’s Panagbenga?” one posted in Facebook, reminiscing the time when Baguio and Cordillera residents flock the city to watch the annual parades and presentations. Just like most of us, I am a witness to the evolution of the flower festival as a wide-eyed kid in Burnham park. Today, our Baguio friends and neighbors call themselves “team bahay” and have resigned to just let fresh eyes (tourists) have their own Panagbenga experiences. Hence, the expression: “Ti tagaBaguio ket ijay TV da nga buybuyaen ti Panagbenga”. Truth is, although it is still a community event, said community has already expanded – Baguio City, and its celebrations like Panagbenga, is owned, not only by Baguio people, but by the entire country and the world. Such is the consequence of decades of significant promotions – “come here in Baguio City”, “it is OUR Panagbenga, OUR festival”.

Even though the success of most tourism offices are measured by tourism arrivals and statistics, the tourism officers already knew and accepted such double-edged costs. That is why most of them opt for moderate promotions when the carrying capacity of a place evidently can-