The Pinay Solo Backpacker

Last Year, I attended the 14th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta with my sister on Valentine’s day.  I have always dreamed of flying since I was a child, we we’re supposed to take ultralight flight lesson but we opted for a cheaper yet truly unforgettable experience.  The 14th Philippine InternationaHot Air Balloon Fiesta in Clark, Pampanga!!! Tickets are available at the gate, it’s advertised as Php 150 but we only paid Php 100. We don’t  have a VIP pass but watching those huge colorful balloons, the planes, the exhibits, the high-end dSLRs, and lenses  is like a dream come true.  We didn’t get to ride the balloon though since it’s a first come, first serve basis and normally it’s for the VIP’s.  The fee for the balloon ride is US$150 (minimum) per person. Go directly to the Information Booth upon arrival to book yourself a ride.

14th Hot Air Balllon Fiesta (Clark, Pampanga 2009)

If your only purpose in Pampanga is to watch the fiesta, I suggest you leave early in the morning especially if you plan to watch it during weekends because most hotels are fully booked due to Valentines day and this event. Read the driving directions and how to get there at the bottom of this post.

For a glimpse of this event. Check my post (last year’s event):

My 14th Hot Air Balloon Experience and Living Out my Childhood Dream : The Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Here’s the tentative schedule for the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta:

FIRST FIESTA DAY-February 11 THURSDAY

5:30-5:45AM Philippine Army Flag Jump with Philippine Marine Corps Marching Band
5:45-7:00AM Hot Air Balloon Flights
7:00-7:30AM Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition   
8:30-9:00AM ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights & Flour Bombing
7:30-8:30AM Meynard Halili / Bill Wright Aerobatic Air Show
9:00-9:30AM AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition
9:30-10:00AM Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration
10:00-11:00AM AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition
11:00-11:30AM KAP/KTP Kite Flying Exhibition
11:30-12:30PM Airlink/WCC/AAA/Omni/PPA/CA/Orient/Light Airplane Flyby
12:30-1:00PM Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration
1:00-1:30PM AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition
1:30-2:00PM Light Airplane vs Car Race
2:00-3:00PM AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition
3:00-3:30PM PHILSCA Rocketry Demonstration    
3:30-4:00PM ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights
4:00-5:00PM Meynard Halili / Bill Wright Aerobatic Air Show
5:00-5:30PM Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition
5:30-6:00PM Hot Air Balloon Fly-In

SECOND FIESTA DAY-February 12 FRIDAY

5:30-5:45AM Philippine Army Flag Jump
5:45-7:00AM Hot Air Balloon Flights
7:00-7:30AM Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition
7:30-8:00AM ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights & Flour Bombing
8:00-9:00AM Meynard Halili / Bill Wright Aerobatic Air Show
9:00-9:30AM Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration
9:30-10:00AM AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition
10:00-11:00AM AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition
11:00-11:30AM KAP/KTP Kite Flying Exhibition
11:30-12:00NN Airlink/WCC/AAA/Omni/PPA/CA/Orient/Light Airplane Flyby
12:00-12:30PM Winch-Launched Glider Demonstration
12:30-1:00PM AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition
1:00-2:00PM AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition
2:00-2:30PM SIL Helio Courier Short Takeoff and Landing Demonstration
2:30-5:00PM Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association Regional Summit
2:30-3:00PM Radio-controlled Aircraft Modeller Display
3:00-3:30PM PHILSCA Rocketry Demonstration
3:30-4:00PM ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights
4:00-5:00PM Bill Wright / Meynard Halili Aerobatic Air Show
5:00-5:30PM Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition
5:30-6:00PM Hot Air Balloon Fly-In

THIRD FIESTA DAY-February 13 SATURDAY

5:20-5:30AM Philippine Army Flag Jump
5:30-7:00AM Hot Air Balloon Flights
7:00-7:30AM Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition
7:30-8:00AM ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights & Flour Bombing
8:00-8:30AM AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition
8:30-9:15AM Meynard Halili / Bill Wright Aerobatic Air Show
9:15-9:45AM Helicopter Flight Display
9:45-10:45 AM -AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition
10:45-11:45AM Philippine Coast Guard Rescue Demonstration
11:45-12:15PM Airlink/WCC/AAA/Omni/PPA/CA/Orient/Light Airplane Flyby
12:15-12:45PM Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration
12:45-1:30PM Winch-Launched Glider Demonstration
1:30-2:00PM KAP/KTP Kite Flying Exhibition
2:00-2:45PM AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition
2:45-3:15PM AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition
3:15-3:45PM CIAC Fire-fighting Demonstration
3:45-4:30PM Bill Wright / Meynard Halili Aerobatic Air Show
4:00-4:30PM ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights
4:30-5:00PM PHILSCA Rocketry Demonstration
5:00-5:30PM Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition
5:30-6:00PM Hot Air Balloon Night Glow

FOURTH FIESTA DAY-February 14 SUNDAY
5:20-5:30AM Philippine Army Flag Jump
5:30-7:00AM Hot Air Balloon Flights
7:00-7:30AM Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition
7:30-8:00AM ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights & Flour Bombing
8:00-8:30AM SIL Helio Courier Short Takeoff and Landing Demonstration
8:30-9:15AM Meynard Halili / Bill Wright Aerobatic Air Show
9:15-10:00AM Philippine Coast Guard Rescue Demonstration
10:00-11:00AM AOPA-P Light Aircraft Balloon-Bursting Competition
11:00-11:30AM CIAC Fire-Fighting Demonstration
11:30-11:45PM Pilot Proficiency Events Awarding Ceremonies
11:45-12:00NN Radio-controlled Model Aircraft Demonstration
12:00-12:30PM Winch-Launched Glider Demonstration
12:30-1:00PM AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition
1:00-1:30PM Airlink/WCC/AAA/Omni/PPA/CA/Orient/Light Airplane Flyby
1:30-2:30PM KAP/KTP Kite Flying Exhibition
3:00-3:15PM Valentine’s Day Flower and Candy Drop
3:15-3:45PM AFP / Civilian Skydiving Exhibition
3:45-4:15PM ACFC Ultralight / Microlight Aircraft Formation Flights
4:15-5:00PM Bill Wright / Meynard Halili Aerobatic Air Show
5:00-5:30PM Philippines/Thailand/Malaysia/Indonesia/UK Paragliding Exhibition
5:30-6:00PM Hot Air Balloon Valentine’s Night Glow

Tickets

Tickets are available at the entrance for PhP 150 per person.

You may also pre-order tickets from Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta . Call them at +63 2 384-0085, or through their mobile number: +63 927 340-4994.

Tickets are available via TicketNet and fromRecreational Outdoor eXchange at Bonifacio High Street.

(source: Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta)

Commuting to Clark Free Port Zone, Pampanga:

ride a bus that’s bound to Dau, Pampanga (Victory Liner,  Baliwag Transit see contact info below) Fare is below Php 200.

then from Dau Bus Station walk left to Caltex Gas station (you should pass by the jeepney station to SM Pampanga)

cross the street, you should be on the other side of  Caltex

ride a jeep headed to Main Gate. fare is Php 7.00

then from Main gate, ride a jeep to Clark. fare is Php 10.

Baliwag Transit

2nd Ave Kalookan City

Tel: (02)3634478 or 4331 telefax: 0236757886

33 EDSA, Cubao Quezon City

New York-EDSA, Cubao Quezon City

Tel: (02)9123343 * (02)9129131 or 32 * (02) 9123361

Victory Liner

713 Rizal Ave Ext. Kalookan City

Tel (Main Office) (02)8335019 or 20

EDSA cor East Ave Kamias, Quezon City

Tel (02)9231296 * (02) 9207396

EDSA near Aurora Blvd, Cubao Quezon City

Tel (02) 7274688 or 4534

Espana cor Galicia St, Sampaloc, Manila

Tel (02) 7411436

By Car:

NLEX, SCTEX – Take the North Luzon Expressway from Manila and continue past Dau toll plaza — but do not take the Dau exit. Pull to the right and take the SCTEX on-ramp. From the SCTEX toll booth, take the southbound lane to Clark South exit. You will be entering Clark through the Yokohama complex. At the stop light, turn right into Roxas highway. The Balloon Fiesta will be to your right

NLEX, Dau- Getting to the Clark Special Economic Zone by car is easy. One simply needs to take the North Luzon Expressway from Manila and exit at Dau, Mabalacat. Take a left turn towards Angeles City and make an easy right turn into Clark itself. After entering the main gate, proceed along Roxas highway, and the Balloon Fiesta will be to your right.

The car trip should take about an hour and a half from Manila.

Have fun and I hope to see you there!!!

  Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Gael Hilotin

Viewed 1219 times by 614 viewers