MANILA, Philippines - February may be both the happiest and saddest point in any flower's life -- whether it be a red rose or a yellow tulip -- because of Valentine's Day, that highly commercialized celebration of love and affection between intimate companions.

That was what I believed, at least, until I attended the Panagbenga Grand Float Parade in Baguio City last Saturday, February 26.

Thousands of flowers in different shapes, colors and sizes merged in each of the 20-something floats, taking the form of anything you can think of -- from rabbits, pigs and butterflies to gigantic donuts, strawberries and beer bottles. 

It was beautiful, yet heartbreaking. All these flowers get to take center stage for one day, impressing the festival's crowd, which is said to reach more than a million people this year.

But when the celebrations are over and the tourists are gone, where do these go?

Waste?

Bothered by the thought of seeing thousands of plants ending up in the trash bin in one go, I asked this question of Atty. Damaso Bangaoet, the man behind the Panagbenga Festival.

To my surprise, he said most of these are already sold as potted flowers, used to decorate homes and gardens.

I felt relieved, especially since 95% of each of the huge floats used were composed of flowers, as mandated by the Panagbenga Festival committee. Bangaoet said those that can't be repotted are made into organic fertilizers, which will then be used in Baguio City's gardens and golf courses.

Unfortunately, some floats are not properly gardened, Bangaoet lamented, causing some flowers to go to waste.

"Hopefully, this will diminish," he said.

Beneficial

This year, more than 80% of plants used in the Panagbenga festival did not come from Baguio City, but from La Trinidad, the same town of Benguet that supplies almost all flowers we see in Dangwa market in Sampaloc, Manila.

Thanks to the month-long festivities in Baguio, local flower growers have "advanced in leaps and bounds" as they get several contracts from companies taking part in the float parade, according to Bangaoet.

"I think the flower industry is really growing," he said.

Wanting to take it a step further, Bangaoet wants the country's flower growers to go into exports. This, he said, can be done by putting up a "central flower center" where improvements on packaging and presentation can be made.

He added that some areas, like Bukidnon, should consider growing more flowers.

All these show that the Panagbenga Festival isn't just for show. Everything is carefully planned out -- from how much flowers are in each float to how these will be put into good use after the event.

As Bangaoet would say, "there is life after the festival."

E-mail the author at karen_flores@abs-cbn.com. Visit her blog at http://asliceofkeix.blogspot.com.

Photos by Karen Flores, abs-cbnNEWS.com