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!