Incident at Hot Air Balloon fest
IT was bright and sunny last Thursday, 8 February, the opening day of the 22nd Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival (PIHABF) at Clark, Pampanga. Anxious over a forecast of inclement weather for the weekend, we requested Dr. Alan Roa, brother of our prime mover, Capt. Joy Roa, to offer eggs to Santa Clara. She has never failed to intervene for provident weather.
The flag jump was at the appointed hour just at sunrise. As Lupang Hinirang played, everyone stood at attention, right hand over left breast to sing the National Anthem. After the flag ceremony, the inflated balloons went up the blue sky yonder.
That was “A Weekend of Everything That Flies” – the earthstomping, adrenalin-pumping action from morning-to-night from 8 to 11 February 2018. From Thursday morning and in the next three days, there would be the Twinz paramotor stunts, tandem paragliding, earshattering flypasts by Philippine Air Force, ultralight flights and flour bombarding, British skydiving exhibition, light aircraft balloon bursting, Search and Rescue demos by the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard, etc.
On the ground. race cars burned rubber, model airplane exhibited stunts, kite flew circles. There were pony rides, archery, etc., and (ahem) wedding proposals by Romeos to Juliets. Those with gumption could sign up to tandem-jump with professional skydivers. Nights were for Kashe Walker (South Africa), Willow Norton (New Zealand), and Lucille Cornelius (UK) to pop and bop with local and ABS-CBN talents. The airwaves were never dull as Percival Tolentino, Vanessa Lopa, and Deon Cleinwerck told you where you are or what you are missing elsewhere.
But the biggest new act this year were The Flying Circus AeroSuperBatics – stunt pilots David Barrch and Martin Carrington with breathtaking loop-de-loops while Emily Guilding and Katie Hobbs made light of the pilots’ aerobatics by tip-toeing on the wings against G-force winds.
*** Unknown to the festive crowd, retired Master Sergeant Jaime Donato, an experienced professional skydiver, member of the Philippine Army Parachutist Team and regular jumper at the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta way back as a young paratrooper,figured in a freak accident at the 8 February opening day ceremony.
MSgt. Donato was rushed to Medical City for treatment; and from Medical City he was airlifted to Veterans Hospital at around 11:00H for immediate medical attention. Despite the best efforts of the doctors at Veterans Hospital, we lost MSgt. Donato at 0630H last Tuesday, 13 February 2018.
A report of the tragedy on the day was prepared by Skydive team leader Alex Espinosa to Incident commander Robbie Ruiz, and reviewed by safety officers Capt. Jun Soliman and Capt. Andy Florentino. The jump was at 6,200 feet. When the main parachute’s bag got entangled with his streamer, MSgt. Donato deployed his reserve parachute. He successfully maneuvered his fully bloomed reserve towards an alternate landing zone. But at his final approach, the entangled main canopy bag and streastreamer under his feet caught the branch of trees, causing him to fall head first on the concrete pavement.
This tragic loss was an isolated incident; but, like all mortals, airmen and those in this business never know when they will be called by their Maker. PIHABF safety record for the past 22 years is testament to its commitment to the safety and security and wellbeing of its partners, participants, and the public.
Capt. Joy Roa and his crew mourn the loss of a beloved colleague and friend. They will honor his memory by continuing this tradition, inspired by his passion and dedication.
Our deep condolences go to the widow, Mrs. Eva Constantino Donato and to their children Jazzel May, Ephraim, Amiel, Jim Limmuel, and Abbigayle. We respect the family’s desire for privacy in their hour of grief. PIHABF will underwrite the medical and burial expenses for MSgt. Donato. Any further contribution will be forwarded to the bereaved family. Interment is on Tuesday, 20 February, at Nazareth Bago Cemetery in Cabanatuan, Nueva Ecija.
Maraming salamat and we salute you, Paalam, Master Sergeant Jaime Donato!
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