PHOTO GALLERY: The Lubao Hot Air Balloon Festival takes off

Thousands of visitors flocked to a field in Pradera, Prado Siongco in Lubao, Pampanga in the early hours of Thursday for the start of the second Lubao Hot Air Balloon Festival.

Touted by the Department of Tourism as the largest hot air balloon festival in Southeast Asia, the event expects the participation of balloon operators from 15 countries and will feature 46 hot air balloons as well as paragliders, a kite show, giant lanterns at night and live bands.

The festival will run until March 29.