Hot Air Ballon Festival Soars

Fetch, Fido! A dog-shaped balloon appears ready to grab a newspaper-shaped balloon for its owner on the second day of the 10th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta at the Omni Aviation Complex in Clark, Pampanga. The four-day festival is on until tomorrow. Peter Alagos Manila Standard

Peoples Journal Photo

Marriage proposal up in the air

By Maria Ester L. Espina, Manila Times Correspondent

CLARK, Pampanga: Jason Tres Reyes wanted the moment when he asks his long-time sweetheart, January Eferia, to marry him to be memorable. He got his wish last Saturday, with a little help from friends.

As hundreds of spectators on the ground cheered, Jason asked January to marry him aboard a hot-air balloon, hovering 40 feet above Clark in Pampanga.

The event added a Valentine’s touch to the three-day 10th Philippine International Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark.

Jason, 27, had always wan­ted to take January, 29, on a balloon trip. In August 2005, while on a trip to London, he had booked them on a hot-air balloon ride.

But bad weather grounded the balloon. Jason had since been carrying the engagement ring in his pocket, waiting for the next big chance to pop the question.

January told The Times Jason never got to utter any proposal once they were airborne on Saturday. Jason just handed her the ring when they were about 10 feet above the ground.

“I was speechless myself, I didn’t know what was happening and asked him whether he is sure about it,” January said, adding that she only managed to nod and kiss Jason back.

Jason said he was so nervous he forgot the lines he practiced.

“I wanted to ask her if she is ready to change her family name and take mine, or get down on my knees and ask her hand for marriage, but nothing came out and I just handed her the ring with a questioning look in my eyes.”

What friends are for?

The couple, both from Marikina City, were accompanied to Clark by eight of their friends.

One of them, Wayne Maga­lona, a student at the Philippine State College of Aeronautics, had learned about the hot-air balloon festival from their professors a week before the event and had told Jason about it.

Their friends found that it would cost at least $150 to lease a balloon. The price was quite steep, but Jason was determined to see his plan through.

Magalona learned from the organizers that one of the festival’s sponsors, Total Oil Philippines, was offering a free ride on the company’s balloon to the person who can present receipts for the company’s products with the biggest total.

The friends got to work, collecting Total receipts for friends and relatives, to ensure that the couple bagged the free-balloon ride.

At Clark, the line at the Total booth was long and the wind was beginning to pick up. Jason was afraid he would be frustrated second time.

Magalona found a way to increase January and Jason’s chances of riding the balloon. He explained Jason’s plan to a Total staff member, Alexine Parreño, and pleaded in behalf of the couple.

Up, up and away

Magalona must have made a convincing argument, because Parreño called up someone and the sweethearts were soon off on the balloon, piloted by Capt. Mike Matignas.

Jason said he told his parents the night before that he intends to ask for January’s hand in marriage in Clark. He had expected his father to post some objection, and was surprised when he said, “Why not, I am excited to be a grandfather anyway.”

No wedding date has been set.

January’s parents were not around for her to share the news with. Her mother is working in the United States while her father is in Hong Kong. Being the eldest and the only daughter with five other brothers, January said she would break the news of her engagement to her parents soon.

The couple, apparently carried away by the excitement, said they can not remember what had actually transpired in the balloon or how long were they up in the air. “I was in awe, I am still overwhelmed, but definitely, it was the most romantic and unforgettable proposal one could ever have,” January said, proudly displaying the diamond solitaire given by Jason