Panagbenga 2009 was just as wonderful as my whole family imagined--- here are a few pics to remember it by.What I enjoyed most was the Session in Bloom, a gathering of business establishments from the posh Camp John Hay restos to the simple fishball stand. There were musicians, a butterfly garden, vendors of all sorts of goods. Although closing Session Road posed increased traffic during the fiesta, I did not hear any complaints from the local or visiting folk.
Burnham Park's skating rink has had a face lift, now featuring a covered amusement park as shown in this photo. We saw rides (bump cars, inflated playgrounds, trains, a carousel, and the drop-coin types) as well as games in this area. It has, however, a strict no-food-and-drink policy, and they enforce this by inspecting all bags at the entrance where food items can also be deposited until you exit the theme park. We did see a section inside the vicinity where simple snack food was being sold. The skating rink, ironically, becomes a mere background to everything instead of being the main feature. I have mixed emotions about this plot turning into what it is right now, versus what it used to be when I was growing up. I seem to like it much more as nature's highlight--- what a park ought to be--- a place outside where children can play while getting exercise. I have no doubt though that my kids would swear they could live in the new Burnham Park Skating Rink until they turn 18.
The Street Dance competition which was judged at the Athletic Bowl was a mere downhill trek from our quaint lodging, Inn Rocio. I don't recommend joining this celebration if you have members below 10 or above 70 years old, as well as those who are pregnant or with equally sensitive conditions. In fact, if you are planning to enjoy the Panagbenga, you should avoid the Street Dance and Float Parade dates all together! It is unbelievably crowded, and anything can happen in that situation.
Burnham Park's skating rink has had a face lift, now featuring a covered amusement park as shown in this photo. We saw rides (bump cars, inflated playgrounds, trains, a carousel, and the drop-coin types) as well as games in this area. It has, however, a strict no-food-and-drink policy, and they enforce this by inspecting all bags at the entrance where food items can also be deposited until you exit the theme park. We did see a section inside the vicinity where simple snack food was being sold. The skating rink, ironically, becomes a mere background to everything instead of being the main feature. I have mixed emotions about this plot turning into what it is right now, versus what it used to be when I was growing up. I seem to like it much more as nature's highlight--- what a park ought to be--- a place outside where children can play while getting exercise. I have no doubt though that my kids would swear they could live in the new Burnham Park Skating Rink until they turn 18. In sum, I would not think twice about bringing my family to Baguio on Panagbenga... just not on the dates of the huge parades.
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