FLYING BUS. An inflated bus was one of the crowd favorites at the 2013 Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, which brought together 32 balloons from 15 countries. Photos by Tre Batenga and video by Katherine Visconti.

ANGELES CITY, Philippines - It’s like walking into a dream world. The bus floats. The sun wears cool shades. And Humpty Dumpty is upside down.

With balloons from 15 countries, the 4-day annual hot air balloon festival in Pampanga is putting the Philippines squarely on the aerial tourism map.

It says that the Philippines is, in fact, quite literally moving up in the world.

RAMON JIMENEZ JR, DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM SECRETARY

The big crowd pleasers at these festivals are the funny shaped balloons. They take on a spirit of their own.

This pink elephant balloon named Nelly B is dedicated to a crewmember who passed away.

He’s flying with us every flight so that’s good.

PETER VAN OVERWALLE, BALLOONIST, BELGIUM

Balloonists say the specialty balloons cost well over 1 million pesos.

What people may not know about hot air balloons is that they float thanks to pure physics. The hot air filling them is lighter than cool air so it rises.

It’s also the ultimate go with the flow sport.

You can’t really steer the balloons which are taller than 2 story buildings. They travel with the wind.

The wind is too strong the first day for many specialty balloons to get off the ground but 26 other balloons take flight.

Still the festival is well worth seeing since there are more than enough aerial delights to fill the skies.

This is a festival where everything flies from kites to jets to hot air balloons.

One thing’s for sure, Filipinos know how to celebrate on land and in the air. Katherine Visconti, Rappler, Angeles City. - Rappler.com