Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2009 @ Clark Field Pampanga
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
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.
clark nga pala ito.
bakit nasa isip ko sa subic ito gagawin ahhahaa
i so wanna go….pero wala akong 1.) time; 2.) kasama; 3.) at higit sa lahat…budget. huhu