IT’S A weekend of everything that flies, as blurbed, on Feb. 13-15 at the New Clark City in Capas, Tarlac with the 26th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta of Capt. Joy Roa, dubbed “the ultimate aviator whose love affair with flying has spread to countless people, whether it’s by witnessing colorful hot air balloons lift to the skies for the past 23 years, or buying private jets and helicopters on their behalf.”
This will be the festival’s second iteration at NCC after decades at the Clark Freeport – the transfer warranted by the increased flights at the Clark International Airport. Yeah, where in the world can you find an operating international airport hosting a hot air balloon festival?
This very relocation of the festival is actually an affirmation of its validity, indeed, its viability, from its conception.
A brainchild of the Department of Tourism – then Secretary Mina Gabor and then-director for Central Luzon Ronnie Tiotuico – along with Korean businessman and hot-air balloon pilot Sung Kee Paik, then-British Airways GM John Emery, and German Max Motschmann, the Clark hot air balloon festival was birthed in 1994 with the express objective of priming Clark as engine of economic development in the immediate post-Pinatubo times and develop hot air ballooning as an aviation sport in the country.
It was in 1996 that the event was turned over to Capt. Roa “pursuant to privatization,” the operative word of the time. With the proviso that government will cease funding the event.
And it has been his show, for good, since.
Punto Opinion
