15th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2010 in 5 days!
I missed last year’s Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta. But not this year! In fact, an all-access media ID pass is on its way – thanks to Ayala Malls, MarQuee Mall, Az and Rogue Digital!
— Feb 11 Update: Day 01 PHOTOS of Hot Air Balloon Festival. —
This year’s Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) rounds up to a good number at its 15th year. Starting Feb 11 upto Feb 14, 2010, the skies of Clark Freeport in Pamapanga will be filled with soaring big ballons of all colors, shapes and sizes.
With more than a hundred thousand visitors, including Sago, expected to flock Clark in the 4-day event, make sure you are at the Air Force City, Clark Freeport, Angeles City in Pampanga as early as 5:00 in the morning when baloons start to fly. It will be participated by balloon enthusiasts from different countries.
2010 Fiesta Schedule
Feb 11 – Day 01
| Philippine Army Flag Jump with Rondalla on Wheels | 5:30-5:45AM |
| Hot Air Balloon Flights | 5:45-7:00AM |
| Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition | 7:00-7:30AM |
| ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights & Flour Bombing | 7:30-8:30AM |
| Meynard Halili / Bill Wright Aerobatic Air Show | 8:30-9:00AM |
| AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition | 9:00-9:30AM |
| Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration | 9:30-10:00AM |
| AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition | 10:00-11:00AM |
| Kite Flying Exhibition | 11:00-11:30AM |
| Airlink/WCC/AAA/Omni/PPA/CA/Orient/Light Airplane Flyby | 11:30-12:30PM |
| Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration | 12:30-1:00PM |
| AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition | 1:00-1:30PM |
| Light Airplane vs Car Race | 1:30-2:00PM |
| AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition | 2:00-3:00PM |
| PHILSCA Rocketry Demonstration | 3:00-3:30PM |
| ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights | 3:30-4:00PM |
| Meynard Halili / Bill Wright Aerobatic Air Show | 4:00-5:00PM |
| Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition | 5:00-5:30PM |
| Hot Air Balloon Fly-In | 5:30-6:00PM |
Feb 12 – Day 02
| Philippine Army Flag Jump | 5:30-5:45AM |
| Hot Air Balloon Flights | 5:45-7:00AM |
| Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition | 7:00-7:30AM |
| ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights & Flour Bombing | 7:30-8:00AM |
| Meynard Halili / Bill Wright Aerobatic Air Show | 8:00-9:00AM |
| Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration | 9:00-9:30AM |
| AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition | 9:30-10:00AM |
| AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition | 10:00-11:00AM |
| Kite Flying Exhibition | 11:00-11:30AM |
| Airlink/WCC/AAA/Omni/PPA/CA/Orient/Light Airplane Flyby | 11:30-12:00NN |
| Winch-Launched Glider Demonstration | 12:00-12:30PM |
| AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition | 12:30-1:00PM |
| AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition | 1:00-2:00PM |
| SIL Helio Courier Short Takeoff and Landing Demonstration | 2:00-2:30PM |
| Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Regional Summit | 2:30-5:00PM |
| Radio-controlled Aircraft Modeller Display | 2:30-3:00PM |
| PHILSCA Rocketry Demonstration | 3:00-3:30PM |
| ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights | 3:30-4:00PM |
| Bill Wright / Meynard Halili Aerobatic Air Show | 4:00-5:00PM |
| Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition | 5:00-5:30PM |
| Hot Air Balloon Fly-In | 5:30-6:00PM |
Feb 13 – Day 03
| Philippine Army Flag Jump | 5:20-5:30AM |
| Hot Air Balloon Flights | 5:30-7:00AM |
| Candaba Birds Fly-in | 5:30-7:00AM |
| Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition | 7:00-7:30AM |
| ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights & Flour Bombing | 7:30-8:00AM |
| AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition | 8:00-8:30AM |
| Meynard Halili / Bill Wright Aerobatic Air Show | 8:30-9:15AM |
| Helicopter Flight Display | 9:15-9:45AM |
| AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition | 9:45-10:45AM |
| Philippine Coast Guard Rescue Demonstration | 10:45-11:45AM |
| Airlink/WCC/AAA/Omni/PPA/CA/Orient/Light Airplane Flyby | 11:45-12:15PM |
| Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration | 12:15-12:45PM |
| Winch-Launched Glider Demonstration | 12:45-1:30PM |
| Kite Flying Exhibition | 1:30-2:00PM |
| AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition | 2:00-2:45PM |
| AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition | 2:45-3:15PM |
| CIAC Fire-fighting Demonstration | 3:15-3:45PM |
| Bill Wright / Meynard Halili Aerobatic Air Show | 3:45-4:15PM |
| ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights | 4:15-4:30PM |
| PHILSCA Rocketry Demonstration | 4:30-5:00PM |
| Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition | 5:00-5:30PM |
| Hot Air Balloon Night Glow | 5:30-6:00PM |
Feb 14 – Day 04
| Philippine Army Flag Jump | 5:20-5:30AM |
| Hot Air Balloon Flights | 5:30-7:00AM |
| Candaba Birds Fly-in | 6:00AM |
| Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition | 7:00-7:30AM |
| ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights & Flour Bombing | 7:30-8:00AM |
| SIL Helio Courier Short Takeoff and Landing Demonstration | 8:00-8:30AM |
| Meynard Halili / Bill Wright Aerobatic Air Show | 8:30-9:15AM |
| Philippine Coast Guard Rescue Demonstration | 9:15-10:00AM |
| AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition | 10:00-11:00AM |
| CIAC Fire-Fighting Demonstration | 11:00-11:30AM |
| Pilot Proficiency Events Awarding Ceremonies | 11:30-11:45PM |
| Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration | 11:45-12:00NN |
| Winch-Launched Glider Demonstration | 12:00-12:30PM |
| AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition | 12:30-1:00PM |
| Airlink/WCC/AAA/Omni/PPA/CA/Orient/Light Airplane Flyby | 1:00-1:30PM |
| Kite Flying Exhibition | 1:30-2:30PM |
| Valentine’s Day Flower and Candy Drop | 3:00-3:15PM |
| AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition | 3:15-3:45PM |
| ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights | 3:45-4:15PM |
| Meynard Halili / Bill Wright Aerobatic Air Show | 4:15-5:00PM |
| Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition | 5:00-5:30PM |
| Hot Air Balloon Valentine’s Night Glow | 5:30-7:30PM |
| Valentine’s Day Fireworks | 8:00PM |
(as posted in http://www.philballoonfest.net/attractions/event-schedule.html; Program subject to change without prior notice)
Tickets
One day entrance tickets worth PhP 150 per person will be available at the event entrance. For pre-orders call +632-384-0085 and +63927-340-4994.
You could also purchase tickets at TicketNet and Recreational Outdoor eXchange (ROX) at Bonifacio High Street.
Hotel Listings
Check out www.clark.com.ph or www.clarksubicmarketing.com for hotel listings as many hotels are around rhe area.
Parking
Parking spaces are located near the entrance gate
Other Activities
Ride the Baloons
On a first-come-first-served basis, visitors can have a baloon ride for US$150. Look for the Information Booth.
Ramp Tour
You could have a ramp tour where the balloon fiesta allows you to go around the active flight line and possibly have a closer look at the aircraft pilots and ground crew.
Aviation Awards
The 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta will also recognizing a number of outstanding figures from the aerospace industry who made admirable contribution in flying and service for the year 2009. The awarding ceremony will be held on the night of February 13.
Others
Activities like R/C Modelling, Flightline Tours, Kite Flying, Paragliding, Skydiving, and Ultralights are also available for the more adventurous.
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 Freeport Zone. Proceed along Manuel Roxas Highway and turn right. 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.
Going to Clark via Public Transportation
1) Take Victory Liner to Dagupan and go down at the Dau common terminal
2) Take Philippine Rabbit to Angeles, Pampanga via Dau.
From Dau bus terminal, look for jeepneys or tricycles nearby the highway going to Clark gate. Take another jeepney at the Clark gate terminal that can take you to the fiesta grounds.
Promotional video from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CI6zDEIvZuU
For more inquiries, call 833-3264 or email [email protected]
The 15th Hot Air Balloon Festival 2010 is a joint project of the Philippine Hot Air Balloon Company headed by Captain Joy Roa, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) and Clark International Airport. Indeed, it would be another weekend of everything that flies. 🙂
Almost same events per day pala. I thought yung hot air balloon flights will only be on Sunday, 14 Feb! I missed last year’s too. Hopefully, I can go this year!
@Rina – yeah. 1st and 2nd day looks the same; while 3rd and 4th is patterned with one another. I checked the source multiple times and it’s really like that; unless they had a typo. 🙂
Yung Sunday looks exciting because of the Valentine’s fireworks! 🙂
Everything that flies is represented pala in this event but I must say a balloon ride is quite an experience – I just did that in Luxor (a bit less @ $105 than the $150 at the balloon fiesta). Do it if you can!
@Rina – I can’t on Sunday though kasi 1st Pyromusical Fireworks at MOA. https://www.letsgosago.net/2010/01/1st-philippine-international-pyromusical-competition/
@Nomadic – wow, that’s great, now I’m curious as to how it feels to be on a flying hot air balloon…:)
wow… i’ve always wished i can get to experience this. nagkakaubusan na ba ng tickets? hehe… pinipilit ko pa kasi c boyfie na punta kami d2 sa 13 and 14, maybe overnight at clark hostel if it wont be that expensive. kaso mas gusto niya manood ng pba sa araneta. haha.. hay i wish may 150 USD ako para makasakay. tsk… 🙂
am interested in the all media access pass for the hot air balloon. How do i get it ?
the balloon ride is $150 each person? or is it per balloon?
thanks
Why the hell is it in dollars?