BAGUIO FESTIVALS AND EVENTS CALENDAR

Here is a line up of major events and festivals you should not miss.

Panagbenga or the Baguio Flower Festival (February 1 to March 7)

Panagbenga started in 1995 and is now one of the largest and most successful festivals in the Philippines's Fiesta Calendar.  The Baguio Flower Festival, one of the grandest in the Philippines,  is a month-long citywide celebration which includes a parade of lovely floats bedecked with flowers for which Baguio City is known. The Baguio Flower Festival also includes performers in colorful costumes dancing on the streets of Baguio, a fluvial parade in Burnham Lake, trade fairs and bazaars, art exhibits, band and dance competitions, concerts, fireworks display and more, all staged beside Hotel Veniz!   If you plan to book a room to see this event, book at least a month before the event.

Philippine Military Academy (PMA) Alumni Homecoming (middle of February)

The Philippine Military Academy is Asia's premier military school and every year, usually on the second week of February, its distinguished alumni hold a reunion in true military fashion:  a lot of parades, balls and ceremony.  Visitors and guests should not miss the Philippine Military Academy Homecoming Parade.  Be sure to see it.  Watching the elite corps of the Armed Forces of the Philippines marching to the beat of the Philippine Military Academy Band, the undisputed top military band in the Armed Forces of the Philippines, awakens the warrior within.  If you are going to book a room for the PMA Alumni Homecoming, we suggest making reservations as early as possible because the PMA Alumni Homecoming is scheduled right in the middle of the Baguio Flower Festival.

Holy Week (March 24 - March 30, 2013)

On the year 2013, the Roman Catholic Holy Week falls on March 24 - March 30 (Palm Sunday to Black Saturday) with Easter Sunday falling on the last day of March  Once again, local government, civic and business groups will join hands in traffic management, motorist assistance and preparing activities for the enjoyment of visitors, both the young and the young at heart.  Holy Week in Baguio is a pleasantly frenzied time for everyone so be prepared for large crowds.  The Philippine Summer Vacation (SUMVAC) becomes especially hectic during the Lenten Season as the cool climate of Baguio draws more and more visitors escaping the heat of the lowlands.  Great places of worship for Visita Iglesia include the Baguio Cathedral, Pink Sisters Convent and perhaps the Lourdes Grotto, even if it is a shrine and not a church.  The more adventurous devotees might want to visit the Brown Madonna Cave Chapel in Asin Road.  Finally, a trip to Good Shepherd Convent, famous for its heavenly ubeng halaya (a sweet blend of yams and milk), will ensure you are nourished, both body and soul.

These churches, convents and shrines are but a few of the great places to visit in Baguio City.  Visitors looking for some rest and recreation will discover Baguio to be a festive place.  Many interesting tourist spots, cultural attractions and historical landmarks of Baguio City are simply waiting to be discovered.  Just remember that Lent is the one of the busiest times in Baguio City and it is advisable to book a room for a Holy Week stay at least a month in advance.

Baguio Charter Day (September 1) 

Baguio City, the Summer Capital of the Philippines, will be commemorating its 103^th year as a chartered city on September 1, 2012 and the city is preparing a line up of activities to celebrate the event.  Organizers are, as usual, mum about the affair, preferring to surprise both the locals and tourists as they did last year.

Baguio Arts Festival (November to December)

Every year, the Baguio Arts Guild offers workshops in photography, film, sculpture as well as in dance, theater, ethnic arts and many more, including art lessons like fingerpainting for kids.  These events are usually capped with shows and exhibits.  Whether as viewers or as participants, visitors will have surely enjoy themselves.  Some might even discover a talent in art.

Fil-Am Golf Tournament (mid November to early December)

Did you know that Baguio is home to the oldest and biggest amateur golf tournament in the world?  The Fil-Am Golf Tournament, popularly known as the Fil-Am Golf Invitational, is an annual tournament for amateur golf players held at the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course of Baguio Country Club and at Camp John Hay.   In 2007, the FIl-Am Golf Tournament was acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world's largest amateur golf tournament with around 1,500 players.  The Fil-Am 72-hole classic, which started in 1949, is a two-week golf tournament played on the Baguio Country Club and the Camp John Hay golf courses from mid November to early December, two medal rounds for each golf course.  This year, be part of history.  Sign up and help the Fil-Am Golf Tournament retain the world record.  Enjoy this genteel game, Baguio's fine weather, the great outdoors and the camaraderie of some of the best players in the world of amateur golf.  And to be at the top of your game, book a room in a hotel that pampers!. 

Silahis ng Pasko sa Baguio (December)

Silahis ng Pasko sa Baguio is a yearly Christmas extravaganza in Baguio City which includes cultural presentations, sports events like walkathons for the blind and wheelathons for the paraplegics, Christmas carol competitions, and a lot more activities to spread the Christmas cheer to those who need it most:  the erderly, the children and the the differently-abled.  Nothing makes you feel good as much as attending a Silahis ng Pasko sa Baguio activity so spread the love.  You'll be amazed how much will come back to you!