BAGUIO CITY – The crackling and thunderous sound from firecrackers and the multitude of colors from pyrotechnic materials blossomed in the city’s skies Sunday evening, March 2nd, that thrilled the spectators gathered not only in their homes but also in the public places around the Summer Capital during the 10-minute Panagbenga grand fireworks display that concluded the 29th edition of the annual flower festival.
Cheers and wows from the crowd composed of residents and tourists, young and old, rang in the air from the start up to the end of the fireworks display that capped the month-long festivities of this year’s flower festival.
People started to converge in strategic areas around the city aside from those who were gathered at the Melvin Jones football field, along Session road, within various business establishments around the central business district area, among others, to be able to get a clear view of the spectacular fireworks display.
As the crackling and thunderous sound of firecrackers burst in the air accompanied by the multitude of colors emanating from the pyrotechnic materials, so were the cheers and wows from the crowd every time there was something different coming from the different areas where the grand fireworks display was conducted.
Among the areas where the fireworks display were launched were the Rose Garden, Melvin Jones football field, Post Office area and the SM City Baguio that worked out its own contribution for the grand closing salvo of the Panagbenga this year.
While waiting for the grand fireworks display, people from all walks of life rushed to the Baguio Blooms Exhibition and the Session Road in Bloom exhibit areas to have the chance to purchase quality products offered at very affordable prizes. The products included ready-to-wear clothes, leather shoes, bags, belts, among others, that came from various prestigious manufacturers that joined the month-long and week-long display, respectively.
The crowd also praises the organizers, the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation, Inc. (BFFFI), for such a grandiose fireworks display that earned their cheers and wows.
Some of the spectators took the time to eat dinner together while others did not waste their precious time as they tried to refresh their minds of their lessons the following day. Children also played around the Melvin Jones football field while eagerly awaiting the start of the fireworks display.
At Session road, it was a stand still when the first wave of the fireworks filled up the city skies with the attention of the crowd focused on the skies and the areas where the fireworks display was conducted with the firecrackers and pyrotechnics filling the air with blossoms.
With the promised much bigger, better and grander milestone 30th edition of Panagbenga, people are expecting that the grand fireworks display will also be better and bigger next year, a far cry from its small start in under the hospices of the State-owned Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) and its subsidiary then, the John Hay Poro Point Development Corporation (JPDC). By Dexter A. See
