News>Air Force Band connects with Philippines' audiences
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U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific Staff Sgt. Daniel Santos speaks to the local media following a performance on Feb. 10, 2012 at the SM Mall in Angeles City, Philippines. The band gave nine performances during the 4-day 2012 Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. (U.S. Air Force photo/Major Michael Willen)
U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific Staff Sgt. Mike Henrie signs a pair of drum sticks for a young concertgoer following a performance on Feb. 10, 2012 at the SM Mall in Angeles City, Philippines. The band gave nine performances during the 4-day 2012 Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. (U.S. Air Force photo/Major Michael Willen)
A Filipino girl applauds for the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific during a performance on Feb. 11, 2012 at the SM Mall in Olongapo, Philippines. The band gave nine performances during the 4-day 2012 Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. (U.S. Air Force photo/Major Michael Willen)
Hundreds of shoppers crowd the third floor to hear the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific during a performance on Feb. 11, 2012 at the SM Mall in Olongapo, Philippines. The band gave nine performances during the 4-day 2012 Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. (U.S. Air Force photo/Major Michael Willen)
U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific Staff Sgt. Clint Whitney presents a rose to a woman in the crowd in honor of Valentine’s Day during a performance on Feb. 11, 2012 at the SM Mall in Olongapo, Philippines. The band gave nine performances during the 4-day 2012 Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. (U.S. Air Force photo/Major Michael Willen)
U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific Master Sgt. Michael Williams (left) and Master Sgt. Paula Goetz (right) speak with concertgoers following a performance on Feb. 11, 2012 at the SM Mall in Olongapo, Philippines. The band gave nine performances during the 4-day 2012 Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. (U.S. Air Force photo/Major Michael Willen)
U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific Senior Airman Jordan Kimble and Staff Sgt. Daniel Santos pose for a photo with a young Filipino girl following a performance on Feb. 11, 2012 at the SM Mall in Olongapo, Philippines. The band gave nine performances during the 4-day 2012 Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. (U.S. Air Force photo/Major Michael Willen)
U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific “Alaskan Express” performs on Feb. 12, 2012 at Clark Field. The band gave nine performances during the 4-day 2012 Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. (U.S. Air Force photo/Major Michael Willen)
The crowd at Clark Field reacts to the U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific “Alaskan Express” during a performance on Feb. 12, 2012. The band gave nine performances during the 4-day 2012 Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. (U.S. Air Force photo/Major Michael Willen)
U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific Staff Sgt. Daniel Santos speaks to the crowd in the Tagalog language during a performance on Feb. 12, 2012 at Clark Field. The band gave nine performances during the 4-day 2012 Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. (U.S. Air Force photo/Major Michael Willen)
U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific “Alaskan Express” performs on Feb. 12, 2012 at Clark Field with a U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster in the background. The band gave nine performances during the 4-day 2012 Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. (U.S. Air Force photo/Major Michael Willen)
2/24/2012 - Angeles City, Philippines -- The U.S. Air Force Band of the Pacific from Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska performed for approximately 11,000 visitors during the Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta on the grounds of Clark Field, a former U.S. Air Base, from Feb 9-12. The four-day event is in its 17th year and attracts 4,500 aviation enthusiasts and over 75,000 spectators annually. 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of aviation in the Philippines.
"It's really an honor for the Air Force Band to perform for such great people," said SSgt Clint Whitney, vocalist for the band. "We are thankful for the kindness shown to us during our visit to the Philippines."
The Fiesta featured demonstrations and exhibitions for more than 12 hours each day, beginning with Hot Air Balloon flights early in the morning when the weather was cool enough. Balloonists from the United States, Sweden, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Finland, Hungary, Thailand, Japan, Malaysia and South Korea participated in this year's event. A U.S. Air Force C-17 Globemaster from Elmendorf also participated as the largest aircraft on static display.
"This is what I joined the Air Force to do," said Master Sgt. Mike Williams, noncommissioned officer in charge of the band. "Bringing smiles to international audiences while performing music as an ambassador for the U.S. is one of the highlights of my career."
Staff Sgt. Daniel Santos, a Filipino-American stationed at Yokota with the band's Asia detachment, greeted audiences in their native language, Tagalog. When he told the Filipino audiences that our mission was to help build and maintain the U.S.-Philippines partnership on behalf of the U.S. embassy, the crowd cheered. "I am very thankful for the opportunity to perform as part of the Air Force Band in my home country of the Philippines," said Sgt. Santos. "This is the first time some members of my family have seen me perform live."
The U.S. Embassy, Manila, coordinated two local outreach performances in SM Clark Mall, Angeles City and the SM Mall Olongapo near Subic Bay, a former U.S. Navy Base. Crowds packed the newly opened third floor of the Olongapo mall to get a closer look at the band. "The local sponsors were excited to have the Band of the Pacific perform in the local communities," said Adrian Ayalin, Information Specialist for the U.S. Embassy, Manila.
After hearing the band perform at a reception for Fiesta participants, former Commanding General of the Philippine Air Force, Lt Gen Oscar Rabena, remarked, "We enjoyed your performance very much. Thank you, please come again."
The Band of the Pacific gave nine performances during the Fiesta. The band's performances are part of a U.S. Pacific Command initiative designed to demonstrate the U.S.'s commitment to partnerships between the United States and countries throughout the Asia-Pacific region, enhancing regional stability and promoting security cooperation.
