Pampanga|Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Weekend Getaway

Wind swept unto my face while our bus drove to the desolated express way. We took an ordinary bus bound to Dau, Pampanga from the Five Star bus station in Pasay and it took us an hour and a half to reach the last stop. Normally in order to reach Clark Air Base, you must rent a tricycle that would cost for about P50. But in our case there was a Jeepney that offered us a cheaper ride because he wanted to make an extra from the sudden wave of local tourist that was going to the festival.

When we arrived, hundreds of early birds were already lined up in front of the Clark Free Port Zone. The 17^th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta entitled “A Weekend of Everything that Flies” was a four-day event starting from the 9^th of February up to the 12^th to showcase various flying activities. It was the last day and the venue was still jam packed.

Eager faces were everywhere, all of them patiently waited for the start of the festive. Those faces were soon painted with smiles when the line started to move. It’s still dark and there’s still plenty of time to go walk around or grab a coffee. The air was a bit damp and the cold breeze gave me a chill. The sun was unlikely to come out anytime soon and good thing that I brought my jacket to warm me from the unrelenting cold. After a few minutes, our lot decided look for a good spot to wait for the opening.

Soon the hot air’s started to roll in one by one to fire up the crowd. The last day officially started with a man, carrying the national flag, parachutes from a helicopter while national anthem was sung.

The hot air balloon’s set-up quickly followed moments after the singing was done, and soon the giants took over the scene. Balloons of various shapes and design awed the crowd. There were the common shaped balloons with sponsor’s name on it, a cute panda balloon that was a bit smaller compared to the other balloons, an ice cream balloon, a toy car balloon, and a smiling flower balloon. Unfortunately there some that weren’t able to fly due to strong winds.

The sun didn’t show up until late morn and though the first part of the main event was done, there were still various aerial activities that entertained the crowd.

Both local and international pilots’ exhibit they’re flying talents in different flying activities like balloon popping competition, in which the contestants were tasked to pop their balloons using their planes. Plane acrobatics also kept the crowd’s attention.

The sky was decorated with an array of kites as both young and old enjoyed their day by flying kites of various colors and designs. Booths scattered all over the ground to cater everyone’s appetite. There was a wide variety of food from the cheapest fast foods up to the sophisticated ones. The hangar was also used as an exhibit of both the new and old aircrafts. On the outside, the army’s amphibian was also on display for civilians to get a photo opportunity. Vintage bicycles that was up for rent also joined the scene

As the day near its end, the breeze was still blowing hard, preventing the balloons to soar in the evening sky.

Everyone’s disappointed after the failed attempt to fly the balloons. The finale was a giant lantern show followed up by a display of the fireworks. Raindrops chased away the viewers and urged everyone to go home. It’s been a long day for us and still had a long way to go so we head out as soon as we are packed.

3rd International Pyromusical Festival|Korea VS Malta

As the music started to play and fireworks started to light up the sky, I was a hoping Korea would showcase a really great show. I was a bit disappointed because the synchronization of the fireworks and music were not as smooth as I had expected.

Good thing that the colorful display of fireworks compensated the performance’s shortage of harmonization. It reflected Korea’s colorful and fashionable modern culture. 

K-Pop was one the dominant culture that captivated most teens a year ago. Its songs, even though many Filipinos wouldn’t really know a thing about the lyrics, embraced it whole-heartedly. The artistic color combination and slim fitted garments authenticates their fashion from the rest.

After Korea’s flamboyant display of fireworks, we decided to go and grab something to eat. Too bad we lost track of the time that almost cost us the next show. We scrambled to our pre-planned location but the time wasn’t enough. Undaunted and unprepared I was left with no choice but to shoot on the spot.

There was no room for me to fit in; almost. Good thing I managed to squeeze myself in to a good tight spot. The dazzled crowed was almost everywhere, enjoying the sparkling sight. I’d hoped to catch the display from a far with the MOA Eye in it. The huge Ferris wheel’s twinkling lights matched with fireworks would be quite a sight.

I didn’t expect my impromptu shoot to turn out quite admirable. I though my hope of having a commendable shot was like the fireworks. One second it’s there and after another it’s gone. As the fireworks bloom in the night sky I can’t help but wonder how this year’s competition would turn out. Would it outshine the previous year or would the former performance proved to be better.

 

One shot moments: Seize life with Canon

It was originally my cousin’s idea in joining the contest. I was so busy with my loads of school work when suddenly he told me that he won in the contest and that I should join too. I remembered to have stocked some photos from this year’s feast of the Black Nazarene. Actually, it is part of my yearly devotion to attend and shoot during the feast. It was some kind of intricate adventure for me that unleash my wild side and go with the flow of excitement, following the replica throughout the procession as my will could take me. To my luck, it exactly fit the theme of the contest. Seize your adventure with Canon. Barely 2 months after I joined the contest, I received a text message informing me that I was one of the lucky winners of the month. The Canon Powershot A490 was then delivered to our house through mail.

Sakripisyo

   The Tagalog term for sacrifice, the act of exchanging one’s comfort in trade of something that the heart desires, would be fittest way to describe the faith of the Nazarene’s devotees. It is the one thing that drives them to procession of the Black Nazarene each and every year. The exhaustion, pain, sweat, and all these things that you could get along the not less than 12 hours of non-stopping procession all around Quiapo could make you wonder for what the devotees are wishing for or what do they exchanged it with. Health maybe on the first list and wealth maybe the last. Those Millions of bare-footed, faithful devotees that I am talking about had stayed in the Quirino Grandstand for the overnight vigil and in the morning they marched their way from the Quirino Grandstand towards Quiapo church, passing along the way some familiar spots like Hidalgo, the photographer’s haven.

    The replica, which was actually the one being paraded around the town because the original image was too fragile to move, was being pulled by two very sturdy ropes. Sometimes those ropes intertwined and they name it “Otso” or 8 because it is similar to the figure of the number eight. Devotees consider that clinging on to the rope and helping to pull the Black Nazarene is part of their undying devotion. Aside from devotes, the yearly procession also attracts tourist and photographers alike. I hope that whatever brings you there, we must always put to mind that faith alone is not enough. What we do to our neighbor counts. Thank you and God Bless!

    

Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife

  If ever you are so chocked from the smog of the urban cities in Manila, the doors of the Ninoy Aquino Parks and Wildlife in Quezon City are always open to you. Named from the slain hero of Edsa, Sen. Benigno ”Ninoy” Aquino Jr., it is located at the heart of Quezon city near the Quezon Memorial Circle.

This 65-hectare man-made beauty is open everyday of the week, from Monday to Sunday, from 7:00am-5:00pm. It offers spectacular scenery, a relaxing ambience, and a variety of animals you wouldn’t encounter during your everyday venture on the busy streets of Metro Manila.

The entrance fee is so affordable that even a poor “juan dela cruz” could enjoy the place without worrying about his empty pocket. They only charge P8 for an adult and they even give out discounts to students. It’s an ideal place where a family could enjoy a quality time with each other. A sanctuary for lovers where they could be as close with each other as their will would take them, and they won’t even have to worry on what the world would has to say to them. It could also be a starting place where a germ of friendship could bloom into a lifetime memory.

 

The Ultimate Myxperience

The Myx 10^th anniversary was celebrated with a bash as it held it’s annual Myx Mo concert with the theme, I heart Myx.

It was actually my first time to go to the said event and I was pretty excited about it. Added to the fact that I was part of a few very lucky individuals, courtesy of my friend Jairus Bien Jimenez, that had been blessed to have

an access not only to the concert grounds for free but also ultimately at the backstage giving me the chance to mingle with the stars. I had come across the country’s celebrities , pop idols, and rock stars in which I pushed my luck and took my chances to grab a photo with them.

Artist from different kind  of genres had come and participated, greeting Myx a Happy 10^th anniversary while showcasing their talents to the crowd. They serenaded and rocked the concert grounds alternatively keeping the boredom totally out of the picture throughout the event.

What's Up?

I'm Josh, 20 years of age currently residing at Malabon in the Philippines. This is my blog , Everyday Pinoy. It aims to share my experience to the world on how it would  be to live in the Philippines on a day-to-day basis. I do hope that it would produce an enriching experience for me since it is my first time to create a blog. I  do also hope that those that would follow my blog could also get something fruitful from it.