Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2011

Overview

The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is a yearly occasion that happens between the month of January and February. It is the biggest aviation sports event in the Philippines. It is celebrated in three to four days.

The festival features different kinds and colors of hot air balloons. A lot of balloon pilots come from different parts of the world to join the hot air balloon competition. The contest is open for local and foreign people. Every year, the event has a large number of guests and participants from different countries; an estimated 60,000 visitors come to see this festival. The participants in the contest have huge hot air balloons with different shapes, like ice creams, cakes, cartoon characters, and animals.

Three years after the 1991 Mount Pinatubo eruption, the people of Angeles City and Mabalacat, both in Pampanga, witnessed the first Hot Air Balloon Festival. It was spearheaded by Captain Joy Roa of Asian Air Safari to boost tourism and the morale of the community in the area. The Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City has been the chosen venue of this event until now. The area is open, spacious, and has a favorable flying weather, beautiful environment, and world-class facilities. Guests and travelers can also stay overnight.

Some of the countries that participate in this festival are Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Sweden, Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, England, Japan, South Korea, United States, New Zealand and, of course, the Philippines.

Attractions/Activities

• Skydiving
• Flag jumps
  
• Micro light and rocketry demonstrations
• Small plane fly-bys and fly-ins
• Remote-control airplane and helicopter flying exhibitions
• Freestyle aerobatics
• Precision maneuvers
  
• Light airplane balloon bursting
• Ultra-light flying formation and bomb dropping
• Kite-making and choreographed kite-flying
• Hi-start launch glides
  
• Rescue demos
• Pylon racing
• Banner towing
• Aero-modeling symposium and races between ultra lights and motorcycles

Riding the Balloons

The audience can also ride these gigantic balloons. The payment is P8, 450 ($200) per head, but passengers are limited to ages ten and above.

How to get there

One can ride a bus from Cubao, Manila going to Dau Bus Terminal in Angeles City. From there, you ride a jeepney going to the main gate of Clark and another jeep ride going to the main gate of Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival site.