The Flower Parade, which is the highlight of Panagbenga '98 was a real hit as thousands of people lined the street leading to Burnham Park. Perched on rooftops and trees, people rushed through the blockaded Session Road—eager to get a glimpse of the year's floral spectacle. The parade's 17 marching bands, 28 floats, and 25 groups of street dancers created a lavish event that lasted till the evening.

One of the most unforgettable participant was Baguio's dog training club. Sporting flowers on their collars, bull dogs, a brown Doberman, German shepherd and other dogs awed the spectators. But one scene-stealer was a pit bull whose chore was to pull a mini-carriage. In the middle of the parade, it stopped walking, delighting the audience when after a drink and a rub of water, the dog started to walk again.

In time with the celebration of the Centennial of Philippine Independence, one float reenacted afamous scene in history. It displays the Philippine flag being sewn by Marcela Agoncillo, Lorenza Agoncillo and Delfina Herbosa with real flowers in red, blue, and white. Using yellow and white to color the flag, this float combines the floral festivities and the air of the Centennial celebration.

Recreating the Centennial logo in flowers, other floats were accompanied by a marching band sporting KKK-style hats with yellow and red paper blossoms. Another float bore a couple in Filipiñiana attire flaunting the logo made from flowers.

The "heart" of the festival presented by the Department of Health (DOH) showcased a giant heart made of real fresh atriums that wore a salakot-inspired hat and carried a Philippine flag. Yet, the street dancers' performance cannot be outdone, as their choreography and costumes, along with the cheers of the crowd, added more warmth to the festivities. One group of street dancers wearing the traditional Ifugao weaves and claypots on their heads, barefooted, danced to the sounds of the gongs played by young men in loin cloth.

Clothed in traditional, floral or even Centennial costumes, what really made most of the participants shine were the intricate fashion by which their headdresses were made. Ranging from giant petals and leaves to abaniko-like contraptions with crepe paper, the colorful costumes astounded the audience as the dancers performed their choreographed dance.

Some schoolchildren were transformed into giant tulips, with huge colored styrofoam cutouts serving as petals wrapped around their torsos and green cutouts serving as leaves and stems encircling the waist down to the feet.

This yearly affair has always been displaying an explosion of colors—shockingly bright ones such as yellow, orange, fuchsia and red. Spectators readily agreed that this year's parade turned out to be the best of all the parades that have gone by. Actually, it's getting better and better every year.

What gave off more inspiration in the parade was the genuine enthusiasm and creativity displayed by both the organizers and the participants. It was apparent that a tremendous exertion is utilized to make the festival a successful one.

But the Panagbenga '98 doesn't stop there. Activities such as the floral banner painting, a food festival, school-based landscaping, Market Encounter garden trade show held at Camp John Hay, barangay beautification contest, invitational golf tournament, drum and bugle exhibition, kids' fun day, flower arrangement, plant exhibition and workshops, Pony Boys' Day (horse parade), gimkhanan (barn dance),

Burnham Lake's fluvial parade and spectacular fireworks display also comprise the lengthy nine-day festivities.Closing the wonderful world of Panagbenga is BFF Ceremony featuring the Synchonized Field Demonstration by various student groups, the Philippine Military Academy's (PMA) Silent Drill Platoon, PMA Band, Philippine Marine Drum and Bugle Corps at the Baguio Athletic Bowl.