Lucban, Tribu Rizal win in Panagbenga parade

Lucban Elementary School and Tribu Rizal (Rizal, Kalinga) are the big winners in the Panagbenga Festival’s Grand Street Dance Competition in Baguio City on February 24, 2024.

Lucban won in the elementary category while Tribu Rizal won in the open category.

The other winners in the elementary category are Tuba Central School, second place, and
Manuel Roxas Elementary School, third place.

In the open category, Narvacan Naisangsangayan (Narvacan, Ilocos Sur) placed second while Baguio City National High School (Baguio City) placed third.

Thirteen contingents participated in the Street Dance Competition.

As in the past, the Panagbenga Festival’s Grand Street Dance Competition gathered residents and visitors to Baguio City with many filling Session Road and Harrison Road as early as 7 a.m.

Participating groups filled the streets with color with their vibrant outfits and props of all sizes.

Festivities kicked off with groups in the elementary category dressed in colorful costumes bearing the Cordillera identity.

Participants in the open category highlighted the festivals from their respective cultures, including Baguio City, Nueva Ecija, Pangasinan, Ilocos Sur, and Kalinga.

Foreign tourists also expressed their admiration for the performances, commending the fusion of modern and traditional elements.

“I like the sunflower and the watermelon,” Jessica Hannekan, a tourist from Germany, said.

“We see that it is mixed with modern and traditional. I love them,” Maiva Amoo, a tourist from France, said.

The Melvin Jones Football Ground was filled to capacity.

Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong, in his message, urged residents to remember the generations before them.

“As we dance, let us remember the generation that has come before us, and continue to inspire us today,” he said. —GMA Regional TV