At 3:00AM, I was carefully driving to Ayala to pick up my friend from his work. He will then drive us to Clark to witness the 18th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF). It has been the common advice to arrive there early to get the best spots for photographs. It is also best to arrive early to watch the balloons being set-up and rise up to the sky.

We arrived just as the balloons were rising. The Philippine flag had been released already. The "weekend of everything that flies" has started. There was not much crowd as expected, probably due to the rainy Friday we had in Manila.


It was cloudy day that morning but soon the sun was smiling. Both the balloon and the real thing.


The crowd filled the skies with kites they bought from the booths in the area. Last time I flew a kite must have been 15 years ago. This time, the boys tried to give it a go and partly succeeded.

Captain Maynard Halili did his performance with a yellow plane with a fabric body. It was entertaining to watch this yellow plane against the blue sky. At one point it seemed like it was plummeting down to crash.

Finally, the moment I've been waiting for has arrived. Engines roared and everyone was quiet as the Breitling Jet Team did their stunts.

The Breitling jet team definitely made the Php250.00 entrance fee worth every cent. I have never imagined I would get to watch jet planes perform live. The kids on the field must have been so amazed. PIHABF continues to be an event for family, friends and even couples. Can you just imagine getting a proposal while riding a hot air balloon? It's like no way out other than saying yes or your $250 down the drain.
For next year, we plan to go there in the afternoon, spend the night at Clark and wake up to the flight of the balloons. And just like this year, must pack picnic mat, sunblock, umbrella and water.

Remember the novel "Around the World in Eighty Days"? The most common cover for that work would be Phileas Fogg and Passepartout in a hot air balloon, ready to go around the world. But did you know there was never a mention of the hot air balloon as one of their modes of transportation? And "balloon" was mentioned once throughout the whole novel.

Phileas Fogg may not have experienced a hot air balloon but this coming weekend, you can get the chance to witness not one but around 30 hot air balloons from 15 countries in the 18th installment of the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF). Get to experience a "weekend of everything that flies".


Secretary Jimenez opened the press conference last February 19 at the Peninsula Manila's Garcia-Villa Function Room. His short speech was then followed by an AVP on the past balloon fiestas and sights in the Philippines. Maestro Ryan Cayabyab then opened the floor for some fiesta music brought to you native musicians from Dumaguete. The fiesta music made the guests get up and dance to each beat!



Speaking of guests, this year PIHABF is proud to bring the world-famous Breitling Jet Team to the country for the first time to perform their precision aerobatic show for the Philippine audience.

Don't they look dapper in those jackets? I wanted on for my own!

The Breitling Jet Team is the world's largest professional civilian flight team based in France.

Get to see specially shaped balloons like Humpty Dumpty, Space Shuttle and Tulip during the event. The three-day event will also feature aviation school displays, food booths, a fly market, the hot air balloon glow, radio control UFO flyers and an OPM concert.

OPM icons like Ogie Alcasid, Gary Valenciano, Cookie Chua, Dingdong Avanzado, Jessa Zaragoza, Wolfgang, The Dawn, Imago, Kjwan, Spongecola, Joey Ayala, Pepe Smit, Urbandub, Gloc9, Noel Cabangon and Ebe Dancel will be among the performers this February 22 and 23, 2013.

The 2013 PIHABF is presented in partnership with the Clark Development Corporation (CDC), the Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), the Bases Conversion Development Authority (BCDA) and the Department of Tourism (DOT).

For more information (and schedule of activities), visit www.philballoonfest.net or log on to the official PIHABF Facebook page at www.facebook.com/pihabf

This basilica is filled with childhood memories. I remember a little girl who would visit with her family every Holy Week. We would drive through SLEX and go on church hopping. I remember a random afternoon when the church was empty and quiet.



The image of a dark Jesus in a black horse became familiar over the years. I remember running around the biggest church in Asia in my pretty Sunday dress.

Years passed and we visited other towns and churches. This year, I returned to the basilica like it was something new and old at the same time. We've both changed. The "Taal" sign was different.

This was the first time I was able to go up the bell tower. Perhaps my mother never knew we could pay Php50.00 to see the view of Taal town. I remember the old adoration chapel at the side.

The bell tower offers a panoramic view of the town as the wind blows in your face.



It's like seeing the place with a different set of eyes.

This won't be the last time I'll visit the basilica again.

Wrong turns. Right instead of left. Unnecessary toll gates. Our road trip to the heritage town of Taal could not get anymore memorable. Originally, this is our plan in a nutshell:


We arrived at Taal Town by 1:00PM. We were hungry and excited as we have been on the road for more than expected. We turned right instead of left upon exiting Star Tollway (Lipa). We were i n the road to Tanauan rather than Taal. We turned around, went in a loop before finally getting on the right road. I should have known it was the road passing by Mataas na Kahoy. We passed by Cuenca, Alitagtag then Sta. Teresita.

So near, yet so far from Taal town

We relieved upon seeing the town marker.



We were famished so we went straight to Taal Bistro located at Calle A. delas Alas. The bistro is near the market and just a few steps from the municipal hall.



 We ordered the Bistro Chicken and Tapang Taal together with java rice. Waitress said java rice was good for 3-4. It was heaps of rice that even our hungry selves could not finish.



Tapang Taal was pork instead of your usual beef tapa.



Bistro Chicken was tasty (or was it because we were really hungry?).



Total damage to our wallets was Php160.00 per person. Not bad considering I had two rounds.

Afterwards, we started our tour at 2pm - four hours later than our original plan. We got to visit Taal Basilica, Our Lady of Caysasay, Villa Vicencio and Casa Gahol (Francisco's cafe). Most of the houses are open 9am to 4pm on Sundays so best be there by morning to visit all houses.

In the end, here's the lesson for the day:



*ramble (/ˈrambəl/):
(verb) Walk for pleasure in the countryside, typically without a definite rout
(noun) A walk taken for pleasure in the countryside

Been looking at videos for the past weeks for inspiration. Here are some of the videos that reminded me of traveling. Enjoy!

If you pack lightly, you live lightly. If you can figure out your suitcase, you can figure out your life. (WORD!)

Crash Course: Ancient Egypt

John Green is one of my favorite authors. I recommend Crash Course for anyone who wants the simplest explanation on history and literature. Animation is impressive. Egypt is my dream destination ever since I saw a documentary on Ancient Egypt when I was in Grade 2. Usually it's the history of a place that makes me want to visit it.

Check out his shirt :) And remember, travel while you're young.

The lovely voice, the violin and Africa. This video reminds me so much of college. I guess at the back of my mind I still want to do at least one volunteer work in a foreign land. I took up Development Studies as a degree and it showed me how many underdeveloped countries are striving every single day. Makes you feel blessed but makes you want to do something meaningful about your state.

In 2011, there was a girl who went around like she was in an amazing race. She spent two weeks in Bangkok and two weeks in Singapore working on an event then going around rushing to see what each place had to offer. She packed Caramoan and CWC in three days. Then in 2012, she decided to take it slow. She did not hurriedly book tickets when a seat sale was up. She carefully planned each trip - not forcing her itinerary to explore everything in a new place. She reminded herself to take it slow and savor each moment. So in 2012, she visited less places but had her eyes and mind wider.

She was supposed to visit places but decided the situation wasn't right. One must pick her battles carefully. She had just moved into a new job and her relationship has been separated by miles. She had to focus on other things. She will see Zamboanga and Mindoro next time.


She went to Cagayan de Oro more than once because of love. But she never visited Iligan. She was saving it for another time. She did enjoy relaxing at the hot pool at Marco Hotel, played in Missy Bonbon's trivia night, and tried out the steak in Bigby's. For summer, she took a day trip with her love in Midway Beach Resort where the sand was white and the water was clear.

She chilled at Bantayan for three days with her guy. Stingless jellyfish and friendly fishes surrounded them as they sat on the shallow waters. She watched the sunrise, went to the mangrove garden and went around the island on a green scooter bike.

She went on a road trip to Tagaytay with friends. They ate a heavy breakfast at Bag of Beans, explored Calaruega Church, ate bulalo at the side road, and went to People's Park. Her mother still hasn't allowed her to drive their red car but she is confident someday she will be spending Sunday breakfast at Tagaytay.

She spent nights at her favorite diner at Burgos St. in Makati. The Filling Station never failed to make her feel nostalgic and hungry. Their milk shakes and root beer floats remind her of childhood dreams.



Speaking of childhood dreams, the doors of the rusty and abandoned Metropolitan Theater finally opened to her in May. She had always loved abandoned places but she was still disheartened on how majestic places tend to fall into rubbles.

She drank until the sunrise at Kota Keluarga with friends. It was a long, memorable ride going there with some mishaps. She watched the sunrise alone while most of her friends slept but she did not feel lonely at all. She felt grateful and contented. You know what makes sunrises special? They let you know you made it through another day.


She watched the bonfire grow bigger while drinking Tanduay ice with her guy's college friends in Anilao, Batangas. Earlier, she was greeted by a gecko with eyes like topaz. She embraced the large waves while standing on large rocks. They played card games. It was a different start for November.

And the trip that started 2012 for her was visiting the treasure called Coron. She has not found the right words to tell her complete Coron story yet. Each month she tries to capture her feelings but words fail her. She wants to justify the beauty and charm that is Coron. Maybe in 2013, that Coron story will be out there to tell her friends how it was more than how she imagined it and that Palawan is the place she wants to explore the most at this point of her life. For now, all she has it that climb in Mt. Tapyas while the sun was setting.

It is not enough to say that travel only involves going to new places. This year, she finally had to courage to meet the people who have the same passion as hers. She did not regret such move as she loved travelling more despite the fewer trips she got. She got inspired by those who quit their day jobs and pursued their passion. She enjoyed reading their stories and even hearing them personally. She went to Travel Massive and Philippine Beaches launch. She further confirmed that you don't have to be rich to travel. And that there is so much to see in the Philippines. Why go always outside the country?

For 2013, Palaui, Zamboanga, Iloilo and maybe Iligan will welcome her. And perhaps meet new friends along the road. As for old friends, may she join their travels too.

Mantra for 2013

So, how did 2012 treat you?