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| Culture Class: Holidays in the Philippines, Season 1, Lesson 25 - Flower Festival |
| Hello, and welcome to the Culture Class- Holidays in the Philippines Series at FilipinoPod101.com. In this series, we’re exploring the traditions behind Filipino holidays and observances. I’m Eric, and you're listening to Season 1, Lesson 25, Flower Festival. In Filipino, it’s called Panagbenga Festival. |
| The Flower Festival is celebrated each year over the month of February. Called Panagbenga in Filipino, this festival is celebrated in Baguio City in the north of the country, which is known as the summer capital of the Philippines. |
| In this lesson, we will learn how the Flower Festival is celebrated. |
| Now, before we get into more detail, do you know the answer to this question- |
| What does the name of the Panagbenga Festival mean? |
| If you don't already know, you’ll find out a bit later. Keep listening. |
| The Panagbenga Festival was first held in 1995 as a symbol, or simbolo, of the Baguio City’s recovery from the devastating 1990 Luzon Earthquake. It’s also held as a celebration of the blooming of the flowers in the Cordillera region. |
| It was decided that the Panagbenga would be held every February due to lack of activity during this month, and more so, because it falls between Christmas and Lent. |
| The opening parade, or parada is held on the 1st of February. After this, various competitions, or kompetisyon begin, which include the drum and lyre competition, and the street dancing competition held between elementary school students, in Filipino estudyante. There are also many trade fairs and bazaars held throughout the month of February which are popular among the tourist crowd. |
| One of the most famous places in Baguio is Session Road. On the fourth Monday of February, the event “Session Road in Bloom” is held, at which the entire street, or kalsada, is closed in order to open up stalls and cafes for tourists to enjoy. |
| When this festival was first held, it was celebrated for only 10 days. But, since the merriment and festivities quickly grew in popularity, it was pushed to three weeks, and eventually extended to cover the entire month of February. |
| Now it's time to answer our quiz question- |
| What does the name of the Panagbenga Festival mean? |
| Panagbenga is a Kankanaey word used by the tribes from the mountain ranges of Cordillera, Igorot, and Sagada. This word has Malayo-Polynesian roots and means “season of flourishing.” |
| How did you find this lesson? Did you learn anything interesting? |
| Do you have a similar celebration in your country? |
| Leave us a comment telling us at FilipinoPod101.com! |
| And I’ll see you in another series! Bye! |
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