Baguio: Panagbenga 2009, Baguio City in full bloom

Panagbenga, the Baguio Flower Festival, is one of festivals of the country which we can truly consider world-class. I was there two years ago and was excited that I would be able to witness the Flower Float Parade again this year.

We left Manila at 11:45 p.m. last Saturday to make it just in time for the parade Sunday morning. After dropping off our stuff at the hotel, we made our way to Session Road where the crowds were already building up. By 7 a.m., you could no longer move! Good thing I was a special guest this time around so I didn't have to compete with the crowd.

As always, the floats were wonderful and grand! Some of my favorite floats were Baguio Country Club, Greenwich, Abanao Square, Marinduque, PNP and Jollibee. And my favorite drum and bugle corps from the University of Luzon was there as well. Below is a video of the St. Louis University Band playing the Panagbenga march.



The parade lasts about an hour and a half. So if you're in Upper Session Road, it should be done by 10 a.m. while those in the Athletic Bowl don't get to see the tail end until about 11 a.m.

I chanced upon my brod Atty. Dammie Bangaoet, the founder of Panagbenga, during the parade. He must be really proud that fourteen years after they first organized the Panagbenga, the festival is now truly world class!

It was a very quick trip and I left Baguio that same evening. Just some tips, make sure you buy your bus tickets early and ask a friend in Baguio to buy your return ticket in advance so as not to join the throng of people trying to get a ticket. Travel was so convenient for us since we planned ahead. And thanks to Victory Liner's De Luxe buses, trips are so comfortable and really quick.

Longganisa Vigan (Derecado/Baguio Market)

Vigan produces both the derecado and hamonado longganisa. The derecado or garlicky longganisa come in different varieties. For those who want the original sour taste, this is the one with vinegar or sukang Iloko like the one above.

Another version does not contain vinegar. Both versions are available at the Baguio City Market.

Main article: Longanizas of the Philippines

Longganisa Laoag (Baguio Market)

This Laoag longganisa is from the Baguio City Market. The version in Baguio also comes from a Laoag supplier. These longganisas are finely-ground, on the salty side and fall in the derecado garlicky (or mabawang) category. Unlike the Vigan longganisa, Laoag has minimal vinegar or contains none at all.

Main article: Longanizas of the Philippines

Ultimate Beach Bus to Zambales & Pangasinan! Book now!

It's summer time! Let's frolic under the sizzling sun as we hop around three of the best beaches along the western coast of North Luzon! We'll boat around the iconic Hundred Islands and enjoy the white sands of Quezon Island. In Alaminos, we'll eat our way through their yummy longganisas then we troop towards the town of Bolinao, visiting its famous lighthouse while enjoying the sunset at Patar Beach. To cap it off, we'll drive down to Zambales to discover her best kept beach secrets: Anawangin Cove and Capones Island. Take a ride on the ultimate North Luzon beach bus experience!

And we're pulling all the stops! We're bringing a cook to Quezon Island for example to prepare a sumptuous lunch for you. You'll never go hungry during the whole tour. Ask those who've joined our Pampanga tours. And we'll also drop by some historic sites such as the Masinloc Church and the house of President Ramon Magsaysay in Zambales. What's more, we'll get to watch a classical concert at Casa San Miguel in Pundaquit. But the clincher here is that we'll be staying at the best hotels in town. And did we say we always have a lot of pleasant surprises?

The tour fee is PHP15,000 per person (we took out one night but it's still the same power-packed tour) inclusive of transportation, overnight accommodation at, Puerto del Sol (Bolinao) and Punta de Uian (San Antonio), boat rides to the Hundred Islands, Anawangin Cove and Capones Island, and meals. Limited slots available. For bookings and inquiries, e-mail us at concierge@ultimatephilippines.com.

Longganisa Baguio (Derecado)

Baguio City also has different versions of garlicky (or mabawang) derecado longganisa. One Baguio longganisa derecado has no sugar and less fat.

Another version is also garlicky (or mabawang) but is sweetened with a little sugar.

Then there is the shortganiza version of the derecado. All these varieties are available at the Baguio City Market.

Main article: Longanizas of the Philippines