No take off for hot-air balloons on Day 1 of Lubao festival

LUBAO, Pampanga-Strong winds forced organizers to cancel the flight of 30 hot-air balloons at the opening of this year’s Lubao International Balloon and Musical Festival here on Friday (Mar. 23).

Two of eight specially shaped balloons — Christ the Redeemer and the Clown – and participating balloons from the Philippine Charity Sweepstakes Office and SM Supermalls were prepared to take off, but were told to call off the plan as winds from the northwest pounded Pradera Verde, the event’s venue.

“We expect calmer winds tomorrow (Saturday, March 24) based on the weather advisory,” said Eugene Lee, the festival’s assistant events director.

This was the first time that the ballooning event, now on its fifth staging, was disrupted by strong winds.

A similar event has been held annually in Clark Freeport, north of Lubao, for the last 21 years.

Former President and Pampanga Rep. Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, Makati Rep. Monsour del Rosario and Tourism Undersecretary Kath de Castro graced the opening of the festival organized by the tourism councils of the Pampanga provincial government and local government of Lubao.

At least 1,000 police personnel were deployed to secure the three-day festival.

Mayor Mylyn Santiago said the festival expects to draw around 100,000 spectators.

The Christ the Redeemer balloon was a crowd favorite. As tall as 43 meters, it is a bigger replica of the statue at Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.

Off-roading, rally cross, car shows and other ground activities also began on Friday.