FLYING CARNIVAL 2020 HIGHLIGHTS OF EVENTS IN CARMONA, CAVITE

 
By Domingo P. Herras
Manila, Philippines
March 19, 2020
 






CARMONA, Cavite – The most awaited and the biggest 3-day sports and aviation event, the 23^rd   Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival (PIHABF) dubbed this year as the “FLYING CARNIVAL 2020: A WEEKEND OF ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT FLIES”,was successfully launched at its new staging venue – from North to the South located at the very heart of Carmona, Cavite at the San Lazaro Leisure Park which started March 6 and successfully concluded March 8, 2020.



The Opening Ceremonies of Day 1 becomes the most exciting and scintillating highlights of the events. As the the day breaks, while the sun slowly beamed its golden lights over the blue skies above the Carmona San Lazaro Leisure Park – people and visitors  from all-walks-life from the various parts of the country (from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao), and neighboring provinces from CALABARZON and from as far as Pampanga, Batangas, Lubao, Clark, Angeles, Quezon, Taguig, Cainta, Pasig, Antipolo and Metro Manila  thronged and flocked at the gates of San Lazaro Leisure Park here in Carmona, Cavite.

As the program starts, Paramotor gliders with colorful parachutes hovered continuously  over the golden blue skies above the San Lazaro Leisure Park center staged. Firing-up the opening salvo of the program the golden voices of Masters of Ceremonies  and Veteran Broadcasters and  Event’s Daily Host DJs Boyet Sison  together with the scintillating and angelic voice of Ms. Vanessa Lopez reverberated and awaken  the nerves  and senses of excited visitors and guests sitting on  stage and offstage - all over the entire vicinities staged within the 77- hectare developed property and  sports facilities here at the Leisure Park in San Lazaro, Carmona, Cavite.

 

The early morning show, which started 5:30 a.m. and lift off at 6:30 a.m. was highlighted by the inflating of Multi-colored Hotair Balloons in different shapes and colors operated by skilled pilots from Belgium, Japan, Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, as well as exciting new acts from paramotor pilots from the Philippines, Japan, Korea, and France, representing its respective Companies who took part in the aviation sports event as  major Sponsors.    A team of experienced skydivers called and tag themselves as “JUMP DOGS OF UK”- experienced paramotor gliders and skydivers from the United Kingdom successfully took part and exhibited their exemplary  flying formation performances throughout the 3-day aviation and sports events in the Flying Carnival 2020.

 

The Opening ceremonies was graced by Honorable Mayor Roy M. Loyola. In his speech: “Mula po Pamahalaang Bayan ng Carmona, lubos po kaming nagpapasalamat sa lahat ng dumayo sa San Lazaro Leisure Park ditto sa Carmona, Cavite sa unang araw ng Philippine International Hotair Balloon Fiesta Festival (PIHABF)-Flying Carnival 2020. Sana po mag-enjoy kayong lahat kasama ang inyong mga kapamilya, kapuso at kapatid”, Mayor Loyola in his opening day speech. He was also joined by Atty. Alfonso R. Rayno III, Chairman/CEO of the MANILA JOCKEY CLUB, INC. and Capt. Ray Joy Roa, Event Director, FLYING CARNIVAL 2020: A WEEKEND OF ALMOST EVERYTHING THAT FLIES.



As precautionary measures amidst the global health scare brought about by the Nobel Coronavirus (COVID-19), organizers have installed thermal cameras and close-circuit television (CCTVs) at the events gate to closely monitor visitor’s temperature and identification before entry.

The Flying Carnival 2020 features paragliding and kite-flying activities, aircraft displays, different species of birds, paramotor and drone racing events in line with its tagline: “A weekend of [almost] everything that flies.”

The Department of Tourism said it expects more than 45,000 spectators for the event, which runs until Sunday.

Director Marites Castro, DOT Region IV-A officer-in-charge, during a Television interview said the tourism department is hopeful that the development of tourism establishments in Carmona, such as hotels, can cater to attendees of the future editions of the Flying Carnival, and other sports and leisure attractions in the area. She said these efforts aim to help the Calabarzon—Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon—fully recover after the devastations and damages caused by the Taal Volcano eruption in January.

In her message to the organizers of the Flying Carnival 2020: “Thank you for the successful staging of the “Flying Carnival 2020” at San Lazaro Laisure Park, from Mar. 6-8, 2020. To the organizers of the Phil. Intl. Hotair Balloon Fiesta Foundation and the Local Government of Carmona, thank you for choosing CALABARZON REGION as this year’s venue for the event. Mabuhay! Go,Go,Go,Go, CALABARZON!, DOT Regional Director Castro in her statement.

Carmona is the chosen venue for this year as it is dubbed the "Center for Investment and Sports in Cavite." It boasts of a number of world-class facilities for activities including horse racing, paragliding, motorcycle racing, karting, and golf.

An  Aviation Career Seminar was held on the 3^rd and 2^nd floors of the PAGCOR Bldg. in the San Lazaro Leisure Park  for those young aviators and future Philippine pilots  - where resource speakers were invited  from the Philippine Air Force, Philippine Navy, Cebu Pacific Air, and Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines who successfully shared their expertises and experiences in a series of seminars exclusively for aviation enthusiasts, hobbyists, serious aviators and the youth who are interested in pursuing a career in the aviation industry.

On the morning of Day 1 - Resource Speakers were Capt. Rudy S. Boctot, Air Traffic Management III,(Air Traffic Controller) Manila Radar Approach Control Office, Civil Aviation of the Philippines who discusses on topic: “Starting a Career As An Air Traffic Controller”. The afternoon Resource Speaker was Capt. Ray”Joy” Roa, Event Director.



FLYING CARNIVAL 2020 whom he discussed and talk about his topic: “My Aviation Life”. Capt. Roa shared  his continued success and shining moments in his personal journey to the world of aviation as he discussed among his peers and future aviators, to wit: “We continue to enjoy flying in the different  places in the world. I constantly remind them of the lessons I have learned in my aviation life which I would like also to share with you today: 1. There is no shortcuts in LIFE.; 2. Be passionate in everything that you do and give it your best.; 3. There are no guarantees in this WORLD.; 4. Deal everyone with SINCERITY and HUMILITY. The last Resource Speaker for the Day was Mr. Peter James Bish- a Hotair Balloon Pilot, who has greatly contributed and supported the PIHABF Industry in the Philippines. Mr. Bish had been continuously participated in the Philippine Hotair Balloon Fiesta Festivals for more than 23 years now.

Day 2 Resource Speaker is Lt. Cmdr. Agustus Caesar B. Bercades, PN emphasized and reiterated in his topic: “Starting a Career In The Philippine Navy – Naval Air Wings” alongside with other aviators and air traffic controllers for various group in the aviation industry here at the PIHABF, San Lazaro Leisure Park, Carmona, Cavite.

This year’s Flying Carnival 2020: A Weekend Of Almost Everything That Flies sports and aviations events was hosted by the Carmona Municipal Government. The 3-day spectacle event is co-presented by OKADA MANILA, the country’s ultra luxury integrated resort, and Rewards Circle.



On the concluding day of the event, Sunday evening, spectators was treated to a special Night Glow show similar to the drone show during the closing ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian Games that the Philippines hosted last year.

MUNTING NAYON NEWS MAGAZINE wish to thank Ms. Jamie Jomaquio, In-charge of Communications - Aviation Carreer Seminar at the Flying Carnival 2020 in San Lazaro Leisure Park in Carmona, Cavite for her support and assistance in providing infos and inputs on the PIHABF aviation seminar.

-------------------------

Written and Photographed by:

DOMINGO P. HERRAS

Manila, Philippines

PHOTO CREDITS:

All Photos were taken by:

PRESS PHOTOJOURNALIST- MR. DOMINGO “DOMS” P. HERRAS

SOURCES:

Personal Invitation from Dean Cyril Vios,

   PR Partner for FLYING CARNIVAL 2020

Personal Interview

Press Release Statements

Broadcast Media/Television Interview

Some Input Photos from the Carmona Municipal Govt.

Input statements and photos from Facebook

  Page Individual Accounts