5 Reasons not to miss the 19th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta this Weekend!

Join the 19th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival set on February 12 to 15, 2015 at the Philippine Air Force ADAC Hangar in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

There will be four full days of flying activities including hot air ballooning, aerobatic exhibitions, skydiving, powered paragliding, aviation formation, search and rescue flight demonstrations, and balloon bursting, among other aviation spectacles—await attendees and participants to the highly anticipated event.

We were lucky enough to ride a hot air balloon with Captain Wolf and his chase crew.

We even had a closer look on the preparations needed before the flight. 

This is where we landed a lahar-covered terrain… 

a very scenic landing spot, making you feel like you are in another planet.

There we met up with the chase crew with their off-the road vehicle. Driving back to the launch site was a unique experience itself, as we rode through rough terrains.

Check out our hot air balloon ride video with the OAP team and the crew! 

#2 Pacific Drift Car Drifting and Floor Bombing

Besides everything to do with the air, the airport also holds as a perfect ground for drag racing. Check out their stunts and if your lucky enough you could be one of the 4 lucky passengers.

#3 Sky Diving Exhibitions
Sky Diving involves exiting an aircraft to return to the ground with the aid of gravity, then slowing down during the last part of the descent using a parachute.  

You can experience sky diving, by jumping together with a sky diver who will guide you through the whole free fall and dive.

#4 Balloon Bursting Competition

competition requires the right timing and the wind by their side. The planes will need to aim it’s propeller and burst the balloon up in the air in order to win.

#5 KAP/KTP Kite Flying ExhibitionThe KAP/KTP Kite Flying Exhibition, is one of our favourites, the simple exhibition features a pair of gracefully flown kites dancing to a beautifully played tune.

Check out their schedule of activities this weekend.

19th PHILIPPINE INTERNATIONAL HOTAIR BALLOON FIESTA
Diosdado Macapagal International Airport, Clark Freeport zone, Pampanga
Festival Date: Feb 12-15, 2015 
Contact Number: +6328512450
Email: info@philballoonfest.net
Website: www.philballoonfest.net
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pihabf

Entrance tickets are at Php300 each, which is a donation to the PIHABF Foundation Scholarship Fund, granting scholarships to deserving but underprivileged students pursuing an aviation career in partnership with Air Link International Aviation School and the Philippine Air Transport and Training Services.. Tickets may be purchased at the fiesta’s official website, at Ticketnet outlets, or at the event gates.

Driving Directions: Getting to the Clark Freeport Zone, otherwise known as the Clark Special Economic Zone by car is easy. Simply take the North Luzon Expressway from Manila and exit at Dau, Mabalacat. After your exit, a left turn towards Angeles City, and a little Angeles City/Dau traffic, will bring you to within an easy right turn of the Clark Zone itself. The trip should take about an hour and a half from Manila without heavy traffic.

By Public Transport: Clark is approximately 80km north of Manila and may be reached by land or air. Public buses travel on a daily basis. Ride a Victory Liner bus bound for Dagupan and go down at Dau common terminal. Walk a bit towards the highway where jeepneys or tricycle are available. These public utility vehicles can take you to Clark.

By Air: You can hop on regular commercial flights to Clark International Airport. Carriers that land at Clark are Cebu Pacific Air, Air Asia, and Tiger Airways. 

Tips: To maximize your stay in the venue don’t forget to hydrate, bring a mat or cloth for a picnic on the grass, don’t forget to bring sun protection like sun block, hats, sunglasses, umbrellas and if you have  your own tent.

Tips: You can bring your own food and drink, but stalls are also available inside.

Tips: There are a lot of knick knacks and pasalubong stalls, but our favourite are the kite stores. Try to buy and fly one, because the wind there is perfect for flying.

Tips: At the latest you should leave Manila by 3.30am. The Hot Air Balloons are inflated at around 5.30am and all of them fly out before 7am. If you arrive late, you will already experience the traffic going inside Clark and the parking queue would have build up by that time. I see people arriving in Clark at around 7am and they don’t see the balloons anymore. I don’t want that to happen to you.