Organizers of the Baguio Flower Festival will feature a special presentation during the street dancing parade highlighting the city’s evolution and its resilience following the devastation of the 1990 earthquake, officials announced Thursday.

Evangeline Payno, chief of staff of the executive committee under the Baguio Flower Festival Foundation Inc. (BFFFI), said the presentation will showcase five important eras: the early years of Baguio, the 1990 earthquake that reduced the city to rubble, the birth of Panagbenga, the city’s inclusion as a UNESCO Creative City, and the 30th Panagbenga festival.

“This presentation will only happen this year in celebration of our 30th anniversary,” said BFFFI President Federico Alquiros.

Performers from the University of Baguio, Baguio City National High School special program for the arts, Saint Louis University Laboratory Senior High School, and the University of the Philippines-Baguio will take part.

For the first time, a 1,500-square-meter artificial turf has been laid on Melvin Jones Football field to protect performers’ feet and allow them to move freely, addressing past concerns about stones hurting dancers.

“We are listening and this is one of the things that we have wanted to do and we have it now. We will store it after the parades for use again next year,” said Anthony de Leon, chairman of the BFFFI executive committee.

De Leon emphasized that Baguio’s youth remain the core performers — street dancers, drum and lyre and cultural dancers — proving strong community participation. Barangays are also participating in a landscaping competition.

Unlike other festivals, Panagbenga runs on private funds with support from corporations and volunteers, without government subsidies.

Meanwhile, Mayor Benjamin Magalong issued an executive order suspending classes in all levels in Baguio on Saturday, citing road closures and clogged roads due to thousands watching and participating in the street dancing parade. (PNA)