Baguio commends Picpican for ‘Panagbenga’
BAGUIO CITY: Mayor Benjamin Magalong signed City Council Resolution 484, series of 2022, commending Isikias “Ike” Picpican for introducing the term “Panagbenga” which became the institutionalized indigenous name of the annually-celebrated Baguio Flower Festival in the Summer Capital.
The measure states that the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, chaired by then-lawyer Damaso Bangaoet, created an identity of a festival that would reflect the history, traditions and values of the City of Baguio and the Cordilleras. Shortly thereafter, the “Hymn for the Festival” was composed by Prof. Macario Fronda of Saint Louis University.
In 1996, the Baguio Flower Festival on its second celebration acquired the local name “Panagbenga,” which came from a Kankana-ey term for “a season of blooming or a time for flowering” that was officially suggested by Picpican, curator of the Saint Louis University Museum.
“The Festival provided an opportunity for flower and ornamental plant growers to promote their industry, for the pony handlers to display their equestrian skills, and for all sectors of the community to contribute their artistic talents and cultural creativity for the entire community, visitors and tourists to experience, reflect and enjoy,” the resolution states.
It says the Panagbenga Festival proved to be the biggest crowd drawer among all other festivals and activities in Baguio, contributing to the acceleration of its tourism industry and an increase in the income of the business community during the celebration of the festival. Moreover, through the festival, appreciation of the city’s unique culture has gradually increased.
The city council said recognitions have been bestowed on Bangaoet as the Father of Panagbenga and Fronda as a composer of the Panagbenga Hymn, and it is but proper for the city government to finally recognize the person who put forward the term “Panagbenga” as the official title of the festival.
“The celebration of Panagbenga in Baguio for many years now has boosted the status of the city as the Summer Capital and Flower Garden City of the Philippines,” the resolution states.