UP, UP AND AWAY (The Lubao International Hot Air Balloon Festival )

Have you had the chance to be a spectator in a hot air balloon fiesta? 

In my whole life, it was only last Saturday, April 16,  that I had the chance to  witness such a festival and I simply felt " blessed " to be a member of WE ARE FUNTASTIC PHILIPPINES ( WAFP ), an advocate of Philippine tourism.  It created  a one-day FUNLAKWATSA to the Lubao International Hot Air Balloon Festival which was held in Pradera Verde, Barangay Siongco, Lubao, Pampanga from April 15-17, 2016.   It was said to be the biggest hot air balloon festival in Southeast Asia so far.  The event also featured local bands and musical acts like Eli Buendia and the Sabado Boys,  bazaars, food trips, fireworks display and many more.  But the main draw, of course, was the  hot air balloon show manned by aviators from the Philippines and from other countries all over the world.

We were at the site by 5 o'clock in the morning to make sure that we won't miss anything about the giant balloons airshow, though the gates were opened as early as 4 o'clock at dawn to welcome the early birds.   ( Thanks to Ms. Ameh Zamora Samano , our WAFP President, who took  charge of our entrance tickets and of course to Ms. Gladys Francisco and company who provided us with the transportation.)  The air was filled with loud and  lively music and the mood was very festive .  There were lots of stalls for food and drinks , t-shirts and caps and other souvenir items.  We have spotted some celebrities too.   The place was big enough to accommodate the big crowd  and everything seemed to be in full control.

As the sun prepared  for its glorious rising,  so were  the giant  and  multi-colored balloons of various shapes and sizes  prepared  for their spectacular flying. 

As soon as the members of the crew started inflating the hot air balloons, I joined with my WAFP group inside the FLYING ZONE to take  a closer look at the stars of the show...

There were many WAFP members inside the Flying Zone but we were scattered all over the place.  With me was AJ C Susalta,  the most available gWAFPo hunk in the group

and the tall, dark and sexy Roan  ( Photo credit to AJ C Susalta )

A souvenir photo with the Aviators of  Hot Air Balloon No. 15  (Photo credit to AJ C Susalta)

A souvenir photo of the WAFP Stars with a real screen idol  Juan Rodrigo ( Photo credit to AJ C Susalta )

The assistants started spreading the uninflated balloons on the ground as this cute little boy in blue looked with so much curiosity.  Hmmm.... a prospective aviator someday?

It seemed so easy . . .

but it took them quite sometime to spread the whole thing on the ground...

Little by little the giant balloons were inflated as the sun started to come up...

                                        " When the sun was up in the sky so blue

                                            One by one, in their magical turns,

                                            Up, up and away, they flew "

They were all set to fly up, up  and away....

As the time drew nearer for all the balloons to fly high, the people got excited, too!  They ran from one balloon to another, trying   to catch a glimpse  of the balloon at a very near distance  and take a photo ....

Picture . . .picture here, there and everywhere... as the Beatles song goes...

Then... one by one, they  flew!

Truly the Lubao Hot Air Balloon Festival has beaten the country's summer heat!

The Hot Air Balloon Crew members . . .

It was indeed lovely to look at as each balloon slowly made its way up in the deep blue sky.....

Fly high little man . . . and inspire a lot of people!

A little prayer for peace from this blue hot air balloon....

The monkey had his wings . . .  Wasn't it amazing?

As they waited  for their turn . . . picture picture lang!

The Lubao skyline was  filled with giant colorful hot air balloons of varied sizes and shapes and it was indeed  a beautiful and fantastic sight to behold!

The PCSO hot air balloon from the Philippines was among those who took off the last . . .

And so with the hot air balloon representing Lubao, Pampanga, the host province!

By seven o'clock in the morning, they're all up!   Bye bye for now hot air balloons.  I hope to see you again next year !
Chase crew members . . . good luck!  



More importantly than the beauty we have seen and the  joy that we have felt, the event MUST  have accomplished what it was ought to accomplish ~ most probably to promote peace and friendship among participating nations; to introduce some of the latest technology in aviation  and  to boost the country's tourism industry!

To my WAFP family, thank you!

BEYOND THE SUNSET

Sunsets always captivate me.  Though not a rare commodity, its beauty and sheer magnificence speak to me and expand my soul in worship and thanksgiving of our Creator.  In all honesty, the older I get the more I appreciate each day and the more I enjoy each sunset.   I am always amazed of this daily phenomenon that whenever I travel or wherever I may be and have the chance to chase the sun with whatever camera  on hand, I always do so. 

As of to date, here are some of my favorite sunset photos.  Take a look at each and  read each caption and find out some  pieces of gems  I got from the sunsets!

Every night, sunsets just come and go.  Like childhood, they must be viewed with wonder and awe not simply because they are beautiful and amazing but because they're fleeting!

( Chasing the sun along Sunset View Boulevard,  Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte )

   

Sunsets never failed to amaze me.  How I wish I could be as amazing as the sunset and so do the other people!  The world perhaps  would be a much  better place to live in ! 

( Touring the Floating Village at the  Big Lake,  Cambodia )

Even the most beautiful days in our lives eventually have their sunsets.  Let us savor  the special moments as we view every sunset we see.   For when the sun has set, not even the most expensive light bulb  nor a custom-made candle can ever replace it.  Not even the moon!

( Mount Olympus, Alta Vista, Antipolo City )

According to Camille Pissaro, blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing. 

( One traffic afternoon at the Coastal Road, Paranaque City )

The skies proclaim the works of His hands.  Truly, God makes the best art  displayed  in the biggest museum with no entrance fees!  It's a very special offer that so many people simply ignore .  Please don't  miss many of it!

( Along Sunset View Boulevard, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte )

In one of the legends, the sun loved the moon so much he died every night to let her breathe...  Couldn't it be one  of the reasons why the sunset is more colorful that a sunrise?  Love shows its true colors !  Also, it depicts an irony in life when good things happen not when you say  "Hello" but when you bid   "Goodbye!"   

(Along Sunset View Boulevard, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte )

Always cap the day with  something beautiful and something good.    You may have shed  the tears all day long   but  in the end,  be sure to smile and rejoice and thank God for everything that you have received from Him, including all your pains and your sorrows.

( At Gloria de Dapitan, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte )

What a great joy to see an endlessly changing horizon!  Do not waste any amount of time doing anything unimportant when there's a sunset that you should be sitting under and enjoy!  

( Along Dapitan Bay, Dapitan City Zamboanga del Norte )

Let the warm glow of the setting sun kiss away all the hurts in life !   As  Ralph Waldo Emerson said, every sunset brings the promise of a new day !   Look at  the sunset , hope and dream . HOPE MORE and  DREAM BIG!

(Along Sunset View Avenue, Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte )

Every sunset has its own story to tell about the whole day that has passed. But no matter how worse a day has been, it keeps its inner fire burning  and  always make sure of a beautiful and dramatic exit.

(Along Sunset View Blvd., Dapitan City, Zamboanga del Norte )

Sunsets are like the promises of God.  Their beauty and truth  speak  loud and clear and are not empty.  They help you regain your perspective and find renewed strength no matter how  disorganized and chaotic the surroundings may be. 

( Across the Moonwalk Market along Zapote-Alabang Road, Las Pinas City )

They say that beautiful sunsets need cloudy skies.  But too much cloud  will not permit a glorious  exit for the sun.  May there be just enough clouds in your life to create a breath-taking sunset that will inspire everyone  who will see it . . .

(At SM Southmall  Parking Area, Las Pinas City )

How I wish I could look at people as marvelous just like the way I look at a sunset.  There's no intent to control or to change  but to simply watch it with awe as it unfolds. 

( By the window at Terrazas de Punta Fuego, Nasugbu, Batangas )

While we are enjoying the promise of a new dawn a sunset brings,  the other part of the world is enjoying their hopeful sunrise!  Truly GOD is awesome!

( Sunset in Manila Bay )

What is the best thing about the sunset?  Nothing beats the joy of watching the sunset and spending its magical moments with your FOREVER!

(Joe and Rein  in Manila Bay, Mall of Asia side ) 

Every sunset is ONE DAY LESS to live by and brings us nearer to our ultimate goal.  However, it also gives us ONE DAY MORE to hope for another amazing sunrise.

(By the beach at Nasugbu, Batangas )

But what is our ultimate goal?  What really lies beyond the sunset?

A BLISSFUL MORNING.... with our Saviour . . . as the song goes!

I hope you enjoyed chasing the sun with me.  Have a nice day and thank you for visiting my site !