TAKE OFF! Art Competition Preparation Walkabout to Witness the Wonders of Flight

The Young Artist-Ambassadors Visit the 19th Philippine Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta

Last February 13, the students visited Clark, Pampanga to witness the 19th Philippine Hot-Air Balloon Fiesta. This trip was organized to expose them to air games, which is the overriding theme of Fédération Aéronautique Internationale: YOUNG ARTISTS CONTEST (FAI-YAC). Prof. Mel Silvestre (teaching faculty at the Visual Communications Department of the University of the Philippines College of Fine Arts) accompanied us throughout the trip. He also shared his deep interest in airplanes in an Aviation Art Workshop. Having greater understanding of the competition theme excited us even more.

The group departed from school early morning to catch the launching of the hot-air balloons. The students were all excited as they stood on the early morning misty fields awaiting the show. More than 20 hot-air balloons creating a spectrum of colors, shapes, and sizes greeted us. Everyone cheered as the giant octopus, pink elephant, Vincent Van Gogh, mischievous brown dog, to name some, floated in the sky. It was truly a breathtaking and delightful experience for us all.

The Octopus hot-air balloon from Japan

The flying barn with all the farm animals inside took off that morning as well!

“For the first time, I saw hot-air balloons, live para-gliders, even people jumping out of a plane and landing with parachutes! They were all in the air!”

-Erin Clemente, Grade 3

The Aviation Art Workshop focused on the basic theory of flight, it also gave the students a chance to get creative with airplanes in a caricature drawing activity. We were blown away by the clarity and depth of knowledge of Prof. Silvestre who imparted his passion with us through engaging demonstrations using no less than actual vintage airplanes on site. We owe this unforgettable experience to Prof. Silvestre who opened this door of opportunity for us, as well as for warmly accommodating the Meridian team during the 19th PIHABF.

Prof. Mel Silvestre was more than happy to usher us into the boundless world of aviation. Here he is in front of a vintage airplane with the Grade 2 students and Teacher Nemcy Cruz.

Prof. Mel also gave encouraging words and helpful feedback as a way of mentoring the students for the upcoming FAI-YAC competition.

“I got pretty cool facts and information about airplanes from Prof. Mel Silvestre. How it works, how it flies, and many more. I really liked how he is an artists himself who designs, draws, and models airplanes. I found it inspiring that Prof. Mel was able to carve out a path merging his passion for both art and aeronautics.”

-Abigail Nolasco, Grade 8

The students then explored the fly market, where all sorts of colorful and portable flying toys could be found. The students ended the day flying kites together, while others created and popped humongous bubbles. Laughter was our soundtrack for the day. The teachers looked up in the sky with the biggest smiles as they shared in the joy of the students.

“The walkabout was unforgettable because I made new friends and flew a kite.”

-Lana Oasis Ruiz, Grade 1

Colorful kites dotted the blue skies that day. Experiencing the joy of kite-flying was one of the highlights of the trip for most students.

“My High School student self found it hard to go down to a kid’s eye level. That Friday, it felt so good to be a kid again. I became so stubborn that I didn’t allow my headache to prevent me from running to fly a kite. Naughty in a way that when I rode one plane I told my brother to record me and I just started acting like I was in a battle and did all those weird sound effects: launching, flying, swirling, falling, as well as gibberish language pilots would say. The PIHABF walkabout experience did show me things I’ve been missing out on and things I’ve been losing. It somehow helped me revive them  — all the wonder and playfulness. For that I’m truly grateful.”

-Winona Ortega, Grade 10

After a long day, the group came back physically spent, but full, refreshed, and recharged inside. It marked the perfect time to create, and let that piece of paper catch the outburst of joy and inspiration we all gained from the walkabout. A