Seventeen huge hot air balloons are about to complement the beauty of Mayon Volcano in Legazpi City, Albay for the first Bicol Loco Balloon and Music Festival beginning this Friday until the weekend (May 3-5, 2024).
Captain Joy Roa, owner and operator of Asian Air Safari, explained in a press conference on Thursday that the presence of the most popular landmark in the province adds excitement and challenge to the event.
The balloons were released as early as 5:00 this morning. The wind determined their direction as they had no steering wheels that pilots could control. The largest balloon measured as high as a six-storey building, according to Roa.
Thousands of people are expected to witness this spectacular event, including tourists and international participants from the United States and Europe. It is considered by many as the biggest crowd-drawer in the region this year.
Hotel accommodations in Legazpi City and neighboring areas have been fully booked this week. Heavy traffic was expected and rerouted as early as 4:00 a.m. this Friday.
AkoBicol party-list Rep. Elizaldy Co, who is sponsoring the event, looks forward to the influx of more tourists to fuel economic activities in the province.
Co said hot air balloons are frequently released in Cappadocia, Turkey, which draws tourists from all over the world. But with Mayon Volcano’s unique presence, conducting a similar event in the Philippines would be one of a kind.
A series of concerts at the Old Legazpi Airport featuring the country’s top talents in the music industry—such as Sarah Geronimo, Bamboo and Ely Buendia—would be held throughout the Bicol Loco festival. Food stalls offering Bicol’s best delicacies are also made available at the venue.