MANILA, Philippines — After a successful run at the 2019 Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival last weekend, about 31 local and international balloons in all shapes and sizes will head to the Frontrow International Hot Air Balloon Festival on April 12 to14 in Clark Global City, Pampanga.
Among these balloons is the 500-pound Re/Max, which landed in Asia for the first time in the Philippines.
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Touted as the world’s largest real estate organization with over 123,000 agents in more than 100 countries, Re/Max claims to also have over 120 hot air balloons, arguably the biggest fleet on the planet.
The hot air balloon on the company’s logo aims to signify their agents' hard work and dedication that enable them to “soar high above the crowd,” said Re/Max Philippines co-founder Eduardo Santos Jr.
The hot air balloon, which stands 105 cubic feet or seven storeys high, can carry four passengers and can fly for 40 minutes to one hour on three tanks of propane at a height of 1,000 to 2,000 feet.
According to Santos, their supplier from the United Kingdom took four months to complete the balloon, which has a fire-proof canvas envelope and a wicker basket that weighs over 500 pounds.
“It would hopefully invite more hobbyists to try balloon flying. I’ve actually traveled in one and it’s actually one of the most serene and peaceful flights I’ve ever taken,” Santos told Philstar.com in an interview.
Although full flights are no longer available as they have been fully-booked even before the events started, tethered flights are available for P1,000 per person. A tethered flight gives the guest a taste of the ride, but the anchored balloon will only rise for about 10 feet.
For those interested to have a tethered flight, come as early as five a.m. to the venue as the flights are on a first-come, first served basis and could be offered for only up to six a.m. Kids are welcome to board the balloons, as long as they are accompanied by adults.
Take note, too, that flights might be canceled without notice if it becomes too windy or due to similar weather conditions. — Video by Deni Rose M. Afinidad-Bernardo, editing by EC Toledo IV
Editor's note: The tour to Pampanga was hosted by Re/Max Philippines to promote tourism in the area. At no stage does the host organization has a say on the stories generated from the coverage, interviews conducted, publication date and story treatment. Content is produced solely by Philstar.com following editorial guidelines.