The Bonifacio Global City (BGC) has been celebrating the PASSIONFEST since 2006. It is a bi-annual event which is celebrated during Summer and Christmas time respectively. “We have different events per round, but the events always caters to a certain passion.” Cited Jackielyn P. Sese, Events and Marketing Assistant of the Fort Bonifacio Development Corporation

“Last year, we had a skate board event and an Alleycat race (bike race). For this year we wanted to have the Parade to showcase the different passion communities in the city.”

The participants of the parade are the different groups of hobbyists in the city, or what they call as the PASSION GROUPS. Some of the groups are the Runners, skateboarders, Mini Cooper Car Club, Mazda Miata Club, cyclists, dog lovers and many others.

The highlight of this event however are the giant balloons sculptures ranging from 7 to 12 feet high; balloon sculpture of Trees, camera, an ice cream cone, a house, a dog, a bear, a plant box and a balanghai parade the Bonifacio High Street last May 28 and June 4, 2011 around 5:00pm.

The Balloon sculptures are all nice to look at, but the work put behind it was something else. “We started making the sculptures 10am friday and finished at 5:30am saturday. Frameworks were pre-made and delivered on site the previous night. It took me 2 1/2 days to build the frame works with the help of two hired carpenters/mason.” Cited Jacqueline Simpao Callanta, balloon artist.

"The Trees was a challenge for me because of its size/diameter. The Balanghai is yet another challenge not only because of its size, but we have to consider and focus on the wind factor during the parade because of its 3 sails. Another is the Camera, it is difficult simply because I used a technique called balloon weaving, but this is my expertise, it just simply takes a long time to make.”

Even though rain had poured on the first saturday (May 28), and a cloudy hot afternoon on the second Saturday (June 4), people from all ages and all walks of life flooded the Bonifacio High Street to watch the parade. Cameras are clicking none-stop to capture this wonderful event; at the end of the parade, the spectators where able to mingle with the balloon artists and take tons of pictures with the Balloon sculptures up close.

The parade was short but sweet, but I can say that it was a success, simply because everybody had a great time, I know I did.