Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2009 @ Clark Field Pampanga

14th Phil. Hot Air Baloon Fiesta
14th Phil. Hot Air Baloon Fiesta

This year’s Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) which starts today until February 15, 2009 promises to be a bigger balloon-filled sky event with about 25 countries participating in the festival. An estimate of 100,000 visitors are expected to troop to Clark Field Pampanga in the 4-day event which starts to fly balloons as early as 5:30 in the morning.

Participated by old-timers USA, Germany, Japan, Netherlands and newcomer New Zealand, among others, the 14th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta will surely paint the sky with all hues and colors of gigantic balloons in different shapes and sizes. A photographer’s haven, i should say.

Aside from hot air balloon flights, there would also be kite flying, skydiving, and aviation-related activities to educate the visiting public about the craft.

Ride of your life

Hot Air Balloons
Hot Air Balloons

If you’re not contented just watching the balloons in flight, you have the option to be actually in one of them for a hefty amount of P6900 ($150) [$1 ~ P46].

The event is hosted by Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Clark International Airport Corp., Philippines Air Force, and private firms including UPS and ABS-CBN.

Schedule *

February 12 (Thursday)

Hot Air Balloon flight 05:30-07:00 a.m.
Opening Ceremony 06:00
Start of “Art in the Sky” Kite Painting 07:00
Paragliding Exhibition 07:00-07:30
Ultralight Aircraft Formation Flying 07:30-08:30
Angeles Flying Club Ultra-Light Flyby 08:30-09:30
Skydiving Exhibition 09:30-10:00
Kite Flying Exhibition 10:00-11:00
Light Airplane Balloon Bursting Comp 11:00-01:30 p.m.
Sky Diving Exhibition 01:30-02:00
Army Jeep Club Demonstration 02:00-02:45
RC Demonstration Flying 03:45-04:30
Citation Mustang Jet Fly By 04:30-05:00
Ultralight Formation Flying 05:00-05:20
Hot Air Balloon Fly-In 05:20-06:00

Feb 13 (Friday)

Hot Air Balloon Flight 05:30-07:00 a.m.
Paragliding Exhibition 07:00-07:30
Angeles Flying Club Ultralight Aircraft Flyby 07:40-08:30
Aerobatic Flight Display 08:30-09:30
RC Helicopter Show 09:30-09:50
CIAC Fire Fighting Exhibition 09:50-10:20
Radio Control Aircraft Flying 10:20-11:00
Skydiving Exibition 11:00-11:30
Angeles Flying Club Ultralight Bomb Drop 11:30-12:30 p.m.
Kite Team Phil Choreographed Kite Flying 12:30-01:30
AOPA Aircraft Flyby 01:30-02:30
Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition 02:15-03:15
Aerobatic Show 03:15-04:00
Airplane vs. motorcycle race 04:00-04:30
Paragliding Exhibition 04:30-05:15
Hot Air Balloon Flights 05:30-06:00

Feb 14 (Saturday)

Hot Air Balloon Flight 05:30-07:00 a.m.
Paragliding Exhibition 07:00-07:30
Angeles Flying Club Ultralight Aircraft Flyby 07:40-08:30
Aerobatic Flight Display 08:30-09:30
Phil. Navy and PNP Sky Diving show 09:30-10:15
Phil Coast Guard Search & Rescue Demo 10:00-10:30
Skydiving Exhibition 10:30-11:00
Light Airplane Balloon Bursting Comp 11:00-12:30
Choreographed Kite Flying Exhibition 12:30-01:30 p.m.
Ultralight Flying Display 01:30-02:30
Agricultural Plane Spray Demo 02:30-03:15
Skydiving Exhibition 03:15-03:40
Aerobatic Display 03:45-04:30
Airplane vs. Motorcycle race 04:30-05:00
Ultralight Fly By 05:00-05:30
RC Airplane Flying Demo 05:30-05:45
Hot Air Balloon Flight 05:45-06:15
Hot Air Balloon Night Glow 06:45-07:30

Feb 15 (Sunday)

Hot Air Balloon Flight 05:30-07:00 a.m.
Higantes Parade from Anggono 07:00
Paragliding Exhibition 07:00-07:30
Angeles Flying Club Ultralight Aircraft Flyby 07:30-08:30
SIL Helio STOL Demo 08:30-09:30
RC Helicopter Show 09:30-10:00
Helicopter Flying Exhibition 10:00-10:30
Skydiving Exhibition 10:30-11:00
Light Airplane Balloon Bursting Comp 11:00-12:30
KiteTeam Phil Choreographed Kite Flying 12:30-01:30 p.m.
Angeles Flying Club Ultralight Flying 01:30-02:30
RC Airplane Flying Demonstration 02:30-03:00
Aerobatic Exhibition 03:00-04:00
Airplane vs. Car Race 04:00-04:45
Search and Rescue Exhibition 04:45-05:30
Hot Air Balloon Flight 05:30-06:45
Crew and Awards Night Party 07:30 p.m.

*The schedule is unverified, subject to change, and is sourced from http://www.clarksubicmarketing.com/news/clark_hot_air_balloon_festival.htm

* The top photo is sourced from omegaaurora.multiply.com 
with permission from the photographer. 
* Second image reference from Wikipedia under GNU Free Documentation License.

Going to Clark Freeport Zone by Car

Also known as the Clark Special Economic Zone, take the North Luzon Expressway from Manila and exit to Dau, Mabalacat. Turn left to Angeles City after the exit. Make a right turn to the Clark Zone itself nearby. You should reach the place in 2 hrs from Manila, Philippines.

Warning: With an event as big as the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, expect some traffic.

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