It's time, once again, for the biggest festival in the Summer Capital of the Philippines, to take place.

Organizers have set the Grand Weekend Parade - featuring street dance and flower float competitions - of the Panagbenga Flower Festival in Baguio City on February 22 to 23.

The theme for Panagbenga 2014 is "Inspiring the Community for a Greener Tomorrow," Baguio City Mayor Mauricio Domogan said. The festival derives its name from a Kankanaey term, which means "a season for blossoming."

  For those who don't want to miss out, mark these dates:

February 1
Kickoff: Opening ritual at Panagbenga Park
Drum and lyre competition at Athletic Bowl
Opening of Baguio Blooms - Landscaping competition (Burnham Park)

February 14
Philippine Military Academy Alumni Homecoming

February 16

Handog ng Panagbenga sa Pamilya Baguio (Burnham Park)
Let a Thousand Flowers Bloom painting activity (Melvin Jones Arena)

February 22
Street Dancing Parade

February 23
Grand Flower Float parade

February 24 to March 2
Session Road in Bloom

March 1
Pony Boys' Day at Wright Park

March 2
Closing Ceremonies and Grand Fireworks Display

The winners of last year's street dance and float parade - Kabayan Youth Cultural Dance Troupe and Le Monet - are expected to strut their stuff once again this year.

In 2013, at least 2 million people attended the month-long celebration. Those who want to join the festivities are advised to plan their trips ahead.

Watch: Panagbenga 2013

Article source: Mark your calendars for Panagbenga 2014  

Sale period: Up to February 5, 2014 or unitl seats last
Travel period: February 15 - May 31, 2014

The busy urban life, in some ways or another, takes toll on our well-being. One way to escape the hassles of urban living is to travel to the countryside and go camping. Home to some of the world's premier natural wonders, the Philippines is an ideal place to enjoy this traditional outdoor recreational activity.

Blessed with rich natural resources, camping in the Philippines is always the choice for the adventure seeker. Here are some of the places recommended for camping, which is considered a cheap form of accommodation for some people.

Batangas

Located on the southwestern part of Luzon, Batangas boasts of some of the ideal camping destinations in the country. This first-class province, one of the leading tourist attractions near Manila, is home to the towns of Talisay and San Nicolas, where the Taal Volcano is situated. A visual treat of the active volcano's beautiful landscape awaits campers and hikers in Taal. Resorts and vacation rentals offering camping experience are also abundant in the province.

Camiguin

Camiguin may be the one of the smallest provinces in the Philippines but it is abundant in natural resources such as white beaches, falls, and hot springs. Home to seven volcanoes, this island province is a favorite camping and trekking place for both local and foreign visitors. The Agohay Beach, one of the best spots to witness sunset in Camiguin, is also known as the camping site for Hibok-Hibok mountaineers.

Bohol

Bohol has more to offer other than the world famous Chocolate Hills. This island province located in the Central Visayas region is also famous for its parks, camp sites, and other and recreation facilities. One of the famous camping destinations in Bohol is the Magsaysay Camp, where various tree species are grown. Not to be outdone is the Bilarma Camp, which is known for its freshwater cascades.

Palawan

One of the hottest tourist spots in the country, Palawan is not only famous for its pristine beaches haven but also for its islands that are perfect for camping and trekking. A memorable stay in this paradise will never be complete without a stay on the Coron Island. Located on the northern tip of Palawan, the island is highly regarded as the best wreck diving sites in the Philippines. Coron is home to the Sangat Island Resort, which offers local wood cottages and a secluded villa that are perfect for campers and adventure-seekers.

Sources:
Philippines Camping
Todo Camping
Lanzones Festival of Camiguin

Aside from its pristine beaches and extraordinary diving sites, Philippine mountain climbing is already famous for those who are more into adventures. Blessed with dozens of mountains and volcanoes, the archipelago is surely every hiker's paradise. Mountain climbing in the Philippines, which is made up of 7,107 islands, allows hikers to explore the country's stunning natural resources and biodiversity. Mountain Climbing Destinations in the Philippines Here are some of the most notable mountains to conquer in the country. Mt. Apo Mt. Apo is the highest peak in the Philippines. Towering 9,692 feet above sea level, it overlooks Davao City 40 kilometers northeast, Digos City 25km southeast, and Kidapawan City 20km west. The volcanic mountain, which was declared a national park by President Manuel Quezon in 1936, is home to more than 270 bird species. Expert mountaineers said trekking Mt. Apo is not a technical climb, making the majestic peak a perfect hiking destination for adventure seekers. A climb may take up to five days depending on your pace. Mt. Dulang-Dulang Situated in Bukidnon, Mt. Dulang-Dulang is the second-highest mountain in the Philippines at 9,639 feet. This majestic mountain, which is considered sacred by local residents, boasts of some 58 mammal species including bats, squirrels, monkeys, flying lemurs, and wild boars. The jungles of Mt. Dulang-Dulang are rich in pine trees and grassland, making it one of the most magnificent forests in the country. Since traversing the mountain is logistically challenging, it is advised to scale Mt. Dulang-Dulang with local climbers. Mt. Pulag Mt. Pulag, the third-highest mountain in the Philippines, is also considered a prime hiking site in the country. At 9,587 feet, this national park is located on the north and south spine of the Grand Cordillera Central. Mt. Pulag, which is also a National Integrated Protected Area Program site, is known for its outstanding vegetation and wildlife. It is home to various endemic floras such as dwarf bamboo and the Benguet pine. Scaling Mt. Pulag is considered challenging but the breathtaking views from the summit make the climb rewarding. It would take at least three days to reach the top of Mt. Pulag. Mt. Kitanglad Known for its virgin forests and rich biodiversity, Mt. Kitanglad is another must-climb mountain in the Philippines. This inactive volcano, which has an elevation of 9,511 feet, lies in Bukidnon in Mindanao. It is home to various species of flora and fauna such as unusual mossy plants, orchids, brown deer, lizards, cloud rats, and the Philippine monkey-eating Eagle. Last year, Mt. Kitanglad, whose summit has bunkhouses with electricity, was declared an ASEAN Heritage Park last year. Mt. Halcon Aside from being the fourth-highest peak in the Philippines, Mt. Halcon is considered the most challenging mountain to climb in the country. At 8,484 feet, this mountain in Baco, Oriental Mindoro, experiences frequent rains and occasional floods. Rugged terrains, steep slopes, and uncertain weather usually welcome climbers in the mountain. Mt. Halcon is considered an ancestral domain, as it is home to eight groups of indigenous people collectively known as the Mangyans. A number of rivers and waterfalls can be found in the mountain. Conquering M. Halcon will take at least four days. Sources: Top 5 Climbing Destinations for Summer Mapping out Mount Pulag Ten must Climb Mountains in the Philippines Mt. Dulang-dulang