Plant and flower garden enthusiasts have a new place to visit during the general community quarantine with the opening of the Baguio Country Club’s “Blooms” that showcases 24 landscapes crafted by club employees.
The Blooms, situated at the club’s skating rink, opened on Feb.1 with BCC General Manager Anthony de Leon, Mayor Benjamin Magalong, Councilor Elaine Sembrano, Baguio Tourism Council Chairperson Gladys Vergara, and Department of Tourism-Cordillera OIC Director Jovy Ganongan.
BCC Corporate Communications Manager Andrew Pinero said the landscapes commemorate Baguio City’s Flower Festival or Panagbenga that traditionally opens every Feb.1. The highlights of the festival – the grand street dancing and float parade were suspended due to the threats of the Covid-19.
The Blooms exhibit is a product of an inter-department landscaping competition of the BCC. It was opened for public viewing with a minimal fee of P50 for adults and P25 for children. Senior citizen discount is honored while persons with disability are free of charge.
The BCC has also put in place health and safety protocols such as requiring registration for visitors, temperature check, and implementing the “no face mask, no face shield, no entry” policy.
Ganongan lauded BCC for re-living the Panagbenga tradition, saying even if there is no revelry, Baguio can still showcase the season of blooming of flowers in the city during this time of the year.
She said DOT is spearheading a landscaping competition for hotels and resorts as well as for lodging inns and those offering homestays.
While the city government is supportive of the efforts to revive tourism, it limits leisure travels to residents.
Non-residents must register with http://visita.baguio.gov.ph/ while authorized persons outside of residence coming to the city for official or work-related purposes shall be subjected to the triage protocols and must present the documents stated at http://hdf.baguio.gov.ph/. – Carlito C. Dar
April 26, 2024
