By Fung Yu, Contributor
INQUIRER.net
Author’s note: This article uses Apple’s QuickTime and Adobe Flash in providing an immersive experience by means of virtual reality technology. QuickTime and/or Flash are required to view the 360-degree VRs. Average VR size is 2.3MB each.
“A LOT of hot air!”
That was what I told my friends when they asked me after I got back from attending the 12th International Hot Air Balloon Festival. They were supposed to go with us that morning, but the thought of waking up and being on the road at 3 in the morning was surely a tough one.
The pleasant drive towards Clark Freeport Zone, where the festival is always held, took about an hour from Manila. Officially, this was my third time to attend the balloon festival.
For the uninitiated, the balloon flight always takes place early in the morning or late in the afternoon. This is because in order for a balloon to generate lift, there should be a significant difference in temperature between the ambient air and the air inside the balloon. With hot air being lighter than cold air, the lower temperature early in the morning and late in the afternoon serves to make the balloons more buoyant.
A total of 21 balloons took part in this year’s festival, majority of them foreign entries from Europe, America, and Asia.
Before the start of each day’s activities, there’s always the anticipated flag ceremony. This features a Philippine Air Force skydiver, with two escorts, jumping out of a plane and unfurling the national colors while a military band plays the national anthem on the ground.
Flag ceremony (Note: Turn on your speakers)
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Balloon preparation usually starts at around 5:30 a.m. The heavy baskets were brought to their respective setup area with the help of the Angeles City Four Wheelers Club. The balloons were then first inflated with air, and as it slowly took shape, hot air was then blown in to make it rise. Once everything checks out, the pilot released the anchored rope.
Tiger balloon unfolding
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Octopus balloon
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Balloons start ascent
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Balloons in midair
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The hot air balloons may be the highlight of the festival, but certainly they are not the only attraction. Some of the activities included synchronized kite flying, balloon busting by an airplane, remotely controlled model aircrafts, acrobatic flights, para-gliding exhibitions, ultralight formation flying, and scores of other demonstrations participated by our Philippine Air Force, commercial airline operators, local flying clubs, and aeronautical schools.
Weekend visitors
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Philippine Army APCs and tanks
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The annual event is held to drum up support for tourism, promote the Philippines as a sports aviation destination in Asia, and increase public awareness on hot air balloons as an aviation sport.
VRs taken from February 7-10, 2008. The author can be reached at fung@firefly.ph
