San Isidro Labrador

To evade traffic, I hopped in an ordinary bus bound to Lucena (special thanks to Ferdz Decena for the info on this route) on a Saturday afternoon, a day before the bountiful festival.  I texted a  fellow blogger Atty.Mhe-anne who will be couch surfing in a house of  a new found friend in Calaguas, Issa Collantes.  It was a  4 hour bus ride but the the palm trees dancing against the pinkish sky provided a much needed warmth and fondness.  The atmosphere along the road makes me crave more to revisit the simple life in our province.

It was already dusk when I arrived in Lucena Grand Terminal, so I asked around for a jeepney going to Lucban (Php 30/ USD 70) .  Good thing I was able  to catch the  last trip but I was starving so I grab some siomai and ran back to the jeep before I get left behind.  It was an easy 45 minute ride, no traffic yet, I should say I was lucky!

But  when I arrived in Lucban, my friend is still enjoying their long drive around the province of Laguna, so although I’m restless because I haven’t slept for 24 hours, I had to maximize my time.  Otherwise, I can secure a  bench to nap near the church.  Sleeping in public places is becoming a habit lately, though it is synonymous with adventure, I must admit I am starting to pity myself.


I was greeted by throngs of crowd of young people preparing for the feast the next days.   Hats made of native materials of all colors and styles adorn the sidewalk, that if it weren’t for the old colonial Spanish houses and the the smell of  Lucban’s longganisa permeating my nostrils, I’d probably think I’m in Britain looking for a Royal hat that I could wear on my engagement with Prince Harry.

After eating dinner at a barbecue stand beside the main road, I followed the crowd going to the plaza.   The streets are adorned with trimmings for the upcoming feast.   This town reminds me of  Liliw, Laguna with the heritage houses, shops and all. I went inside almost every shop, checking the goods and the prices, pretty cheap and comparable to the prices in flea markets and tiangge in Manila.  I particularly like the  posh royal and summer hats (retail price starts at Php 50/USD 1.16) and the stylish flat shoes of all colors and designs (retail price starts at Php 100-Php230/USD2.32-5.33).

I  went around and found some souvenirs for sales, the artsy masks (Php 80 up/USD 1.85), the epic ref magnets (Php20 up/USD 0.46) and key chains (Php 10 up/USD 0.23).  I love  the colorful and artsy designs of the items, even the quality of  the souvenir shirts (Php 130 up/USD 3.01) looks good.

how to make ref magnets

I  went around and found some souvenirs for sales, the artsy masks (Php 80 up/USD 1.85), the epic ref magnets (Php20 up/USD 0.46) and key chains (Php 10 up/USD 0.23).  I love  the colorful and artsy designs of the items, even the quality of  the souvenir shirts (Php 130 up/USD 3.01) looks good.

In the midst of the crowd I stumbled on an art shop selling products from all over Asia, bought a scarf from India for Php300 (USD 6.95), it looks like my Bohemian skirt from Nepal, with all those handwoven small mirrors in the quilted-like cloth. One of  the things I love doing whenever I travel is hunting for  bargain shops, flea markets , vintage and art shops with unique artsy stuff and memorabilia and it’s nice to accidentally find one in Lucban.


Lucban, a sleepy town,  transforms into a  crowded and lively tourist destination during the world-known Pahiyas Festival.  Strolling around the municipality before the  harvest  feast, gives one a glimpse into the lives of the local and the preparation for the grand celebration.

Like any other typical fiesta in the Philippine setting, men and women are seen busy preparing for the feast and entertaining their guests, mostly relatives and friends arriving from another province.

Upon roaming around the town center, I noticed that the men and children mostly takes care of the decorations of  houses while the women are busy cooking or entertaining their guests, and most teenagers  are either on a drinking session or at the plaza for the rock show. Whoever said there’s not much people prior to the festival is  dead wrong but yeah, “lesser” compared to the day of the event itself.

Legend has it that the municipality of  Lucban in Quezon province whose situated at the foot of  Mt. Banahaw derived it’s name from pomelo (Citrus maxima or Citrus grandis).   Surprisingly, the citrus  fruits is not the signature food or delicacy of  Lucban but it is Pansit Habhab, Longganisang Lucban and kiping.

Pansit is the local term for noodles in Filipino cuisine and it has many variants.  Pansit habhab (also known as pansit Lucban) is a noodles mixed with vegetables and vinegar is added before serving.

cooked pansit habhab

The name habhab is said to have originated from the way the pansit is eaten – without a fork and spoon (kamayan)  picking the food with your hand and directly  putting it to your mouth when eating.

a store selling uncooked pansit habhab in packs

Pansit habhab are sold in packs at the stores in Lucban for Php 40 (USD 0.93)  and the cooked ones  were being offered at the sidewalks during the feast  for Php 10 (USD 0.23).   My tastebud favored Pansit Habhab than Longganisang Lucban.

Longganisa is the Filipino term for sausage.  Unlike the typical sausages though, Longganisang Lucban is smaller with longer shelf-life  and is self-contained since you don’t need oil to cook it.  It is flat, sour and garlicky compared to the usual sweet and oily sausages we buy at the supermarket.  They’re seen hanging, tied in the bamboo poles during the feast  and retails at Php 70 up (USD 1.62 up).  At dusk, I chanced up some locals who are preparing the famous longganisa outside the streets.

Lucban is also famous for it’s  sweet delicacies: broas, torones, apas, etc. – the usual pasalubong (Filipino term for goodies  brought home from a  visit to another place usually tourist destination).  And  of  course, there’s the famous decor during Pahiyas Festival - kiping.

I didn’t know that you can actually eat kiping. All the while I thought they’re just colorful Japanese papers cut into the shape of  leaves.  Kiping is a leaf-shaped wafer made of rice paste.  Mature leaves are collected and laon rice is used to prevent cracking of the rice wafer.

It was getting late and my friend is still roaming around somewhere, I went looking for the church and found a lighted hut with some weary tourists.  I secured a place to rest or sleep if ever my friend won’t find me.  But alas, when I am about to close my eyes, the loud voice of the tanod surprised me and awakened some people taking a nap! “Bawal matulog dito! (Sleeping is not allowed here!) “, he shouted and closed the lights.  Errr!  If there’s one thing I don’t like about my experience in Lucban is staying in that church garden.  I wish the church people could’ve opened there doors for weary tourists at least for that night.  I bet the poor San Isidro wouldn’t be happy about it.  I’ve seen a couple of  tourists rest and take a nap  in the church garden, but the guards kept shouting and displaying their old guns and sticks  like they rule the world.  I even entered the church and had my photo taken on the miniature church with all the lights and kipings and the lady manning the church kept asking me as if shoving me away. “Sino bang inaantay mu? ” , and then shouting to the other tourists, “sarado na jan wala ng daan!”

As soon as a truck loaded with chairs entered, I heard them talking in front of me, “ And dame pang tao, bahala sila, isarado naten na yan!”. How about those tourists who doesn’t have a place to stay, but we’re just too ecstatic to visit Lucban at dusk to evade traffic the next day?   I bet it wouldn’t hurt for the church people to open their gates at least for one night for these people, besides, this is a celebration for the saint of peasants and day laborers.

So the tourists walked out of the church park as the powerful church people closed the gate.  Good thing, my friend was already waiting for me outside the gate and introduced me to her friends who invited us to their house.   In celebrating a religious feast  in a town I barely know,  I expected the church people to welcome  poor people like me, but instead it’s the strangers who welcomed me warmly.

*conversion rate used*

1 Philippine peso = 0.023191 U.S. dollars

*Special thanks to: Issa Collantes and family for the accommodation and food, Atty. Mhe-anne Ojeda and friends, Zaide Uy, Sally Velasco, Bryan Colona and friends.

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No, this isn't Calaguas, this is Subic beach in Matnog

Huag fish sanctuary

Tikling Island another virgin beach of Matnog

Mt. Bulusan

Bulusan lake dubbed as "the Switzerland" of the Philippines

Magallanes: the site of the 1st Mass in Luzon

Parola Beach, the largest Spanish shipyard in Bicol

San Mateo hot spring in Irosin

Irosin valley view

the festivals (Padaraw Festival in Bulan)

the beautiful Bicolanas...

and so much more that I have yet to explore!  Prieto Diaz, Gubat, Castilla, Juban, Casiguran, Barcelona, Pilar, Sta. Magdalena  & Sorsogon City!  

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Gael Hilotin

Viewed 4460 times by 1589 viewers

1st 2 photos courtesy of Jun

On it’s 3rd week, I decided to go with my long lost childhood friends.  But it was a short notice so only Jayson showed up. I saw  the awesome pictures of Chat taken at the Folk Arts theater, I tried to locate it while I was in Manila but I failed. My sister who had attended it can’t join me either nor give me directions because she doesn’t know how they got there. I  ended up roaming and taking pictures in Roxas Blvd when I got a text from Jayson saying he’s already off to MOA to find a good location. I immediately took a cab somewhere in the busy streets of Manila.  It was already 7pm, Jayson paid Php 150 at one of the veranda restaurants to get a good shot of the event.  The cab driver who claims his name is John was the one who convinced me not to go to CCP saying it’s too far. Good thing the traffic was quite manageable because the event was about to start so probably most people were in MOA already at that time.

I have no idea where is this in Manila but I ended up here when i crossed Roxas blvd trying to get a cab

I  enjoyed the ride because the cab driver was able to show me how Manila looks at night now.  I can’t even remember the last time I was there.  He was concerned about my security as it was dark and there’s no people at CCP area so he insisted on taking me “somewhere“.  I asked him to no longer take me to MOA when I noticed I’m running out of time since MOA is still far but because he knew I haven’t been to the said mall , he kept saying, ” I will take you to a good location“.  I only realized he actually took me to MOA when I saw the huge glittery ad ball in front of the mall. He knew We were laughing during the entire ride, he witnessed how excited I was to finally be in MOA. Yes, I know, shame on me, I haven’t been to MOA! I was so amazed with the gigantic mall that I started taking pictures of it.  Jayson then texted saying he’s already set up at a certain restaurant and I can meet him up there. He asked me to just ask the guards for directions since he knew it’s my 1st time there. It was a long walk from the busy road in front of MOA towards the bay. Unfortunately, the fireworks display started while I was walking hurriedly. I can’t find the entrance towards the restaurant, so I ended up at the far end of the bay. I wasn’t able to set up my camera and tripod, so I took some poor shots and decided to watch the entire show that night. I didn’t know there were 2 countries for that night so when Jayson said he’s headed back to the mall and I saw most people leaving, I left as well, not knowing another show was about to begin. I only learned about the 2nd show on our quick dinner . Toinks! Okay, so it’s the 4th and the final show, I need to go back.  The show was about to start again I can’t find the entrance to the veranda restaurants so I run hurriedly towards the far end of the bay where there’s no fee.  I looked for a post where I can stand, saw perhaps the only small space left there but my tripod cant even fit there, so I decided to hop down towards the huge rocks close to the sea. Yes! I ended up at the far dark side of the bay, far from the spectators. I was the only one there with my heavy tripod and I am wearing a dress. haha  So just imagine how hard it was for me to climb back  that my elbow got wounded.  The 1st Philippine International Pyromusical Competition 2010 was indeed a blast, I have never seen such majestic  fireworks display before, only on TV. It is true people applauds fireworks but never a sunrise… Here’s a few pictures. It’s my 1st attempt,  forgive my lousy shots. I used manual mode, ISO 100 and played with aperture (8-16) and shutter speed (2-13).

How to get to MOA : from Buendia (Gil Puyat LRT station) there are multi-cabs  for Php7 per person,  headed directly to MOA. thepinaysolobackpacker would like to thank Chat for the tips and instructions as well as my bro EG and Jayson for the company.

Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Gael Hilotin

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Panagbenga 2009

Schedule of activities for 2010 :

November 16 – Launch of Panagbenga 2010
February 1 – Opening Parade
February 13 – Chinese New Year
February 12-14 – Legarda Rocks
February 14 – Fluvial Parade
February 14 – Camelot on the Lake
February 20 – Let A Thousand Flowers Bloom
February 20-22 – PMA Homecoming 2010
February 27 – Grand Panagbenga Street Parade
February 28 – Grand Float Parade
February 26-28 – Abanao Nights
Feb 1 – Mar 7 – Market Encounter
March 1-7 – Session Road in Bloom
March 6 – Pony Boys Day

Panagbenga 2009 float parade

Too bad I can’t attend this year due to my work schedule.  Last year I attended the float parade. It’s my shortest stay in Baguio. 2 hours! I left around midnight of Saturday then arrived around 7am Sunday (it’s roughly 7 hours to Baguio from Manila).  Had to walk a few meters as  some roads  are close.  Burnham Park and Session Road is crowded.  I don’t have any hotel reservation so right after the float parade I hurried to Dagupan bus station (right below SM Baguio the bus station there look for the white bus w/ strokes of green). They have air-conditioned buses  that leaves every hour to Pasay and Cubao. Buy a ticket asap to avoid waiting for the next trip that’s not full.  They have good service and cheaper fare than Victory Liner but the latter has better buses.  I always ride on Dagupan bus lines whenever I go back to Manila from Baguio so I won’t have to take a cab to  Victory Liner’s air-conditioned bus station. The non-ac bus of Victory Liner is also stationed below SM but they’re almost always full too.  If you don’t have any hotel reservations though I suggest you don’t stay overnight as most hotels are fully-booked for sure. I would recommend a backpacker’s budget hotel in Baguio that’s close to SM Baguio.–> Baydenn Powell Inn. It’s located below SM Baguio along Andoks. If you see a wide opening w/ the bar’s name “Ayuyang” just go inside. They have dormitory rooms (could accommodate up to 6 people)  for Php 3oo per pax during off-peak and because its peak season this February I think it’s around Php400 per head.  They have more expensive rooms too (rate is 1,500-3,000k) but I haven’t tried them, I always stay at the dormitory room whenever I’m in Baguio.  Luckily I am always alone in the room as I go there whenever it’s off-peak so I haven’t experienced sharing a room with a stranger. Anyway, I hope this schedule will help, sorry for the late post.  Enjoy Panagbenga!

Session Road, Baguio City

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Left for Pampanga at around 12 noon. Boarded Victory liner in Cubao. The trip took just 1 and 1/2 hour. I’m confident that I wouldn’t get lost because I’ve traversed that route before.

At 3pm, I was standing outside Clark field, upon seeing the huge banner, I immediately took out my camera and tried to take a photo of it.  But then..ooops! Battery empty! Arggghhh! Not again!!!

Good thing I wasn’t inside the field yet so I crossed the street and boarded a jeep back to Main Gate.  I started thinking of  what to do while sitting uncomfortably inside the crowded vehicle. I  planned to go back to the cheap motel in Dau where my sister and I ended up staying last year, an hour cost Php100,  I could take a rest and charge at the same time but that’s quite far from Clark.  What about SM Clark?  But I’m not even sure if  the establishments there would allow me to charge. So as soon as the jeep stopped at Main gate, I searched for a small store where I can charge. I saw an internet shop beside a restaurant.  Hmm..charging while surfing the net is a great idea! I entered the cafe and asked the staff, he then asked his supervisor I guess and told me NO. I insisted, “I will pay for it and I’ll also rent the internet”. NO, said the guy. So I entered the restaurant beside it and asked the staff if I could charge without even telling her that I will dine there and withour hesitation, she said YES. “Magkano? ” , I asked. She said it’s 10pesos only for about an hour. Because they we’re pretty nice to a poor solo traveler and I am starving too, I  tried their menu.

The small restaurant is called William C. Sisig and sisig is their specialty.  The establishment is located at Main Gate sisig.  in Clark, Pampanga fronting Jollibee.

I stayed for an hour at the restaurant and after I’m done charging I went to SM City with the primary intent of using their wash room to clean myself.  I just realized lately that SM has played a major part on my travels.  Whenever I need to wash myself for free, I run to the nearest SM mall.

I was quite amused with SM Clark upon seeing the hot air balloon replicas. So after taking some pictures, I went straight to the washroom, cleaned my dusty face and feet, and head off to Clark.

It’s already 5pm and the field is still crowded.

the Aetas selling bamboo flutes outside the field

While waiting for the Hot Air Balloon Glow, I roamed around the field and as always, the cute little kids everywhere never failed to amuse me.

As the sun fade away and the dusk  slowly emerges…the other paragliders  started flying… 

The balloons are slowly set on the field, getting ready not to fly…

but to stand tall and still with their glowing light inside.

As the night gets darker the balloons started glowing…

It was an amusing sight, but I didn’t enjoy it as much as last year.  It was so brief and the balloons  failed to light all at the same time,  just around  2-3 times and I didn’t get to have a glimpse of the balloon at first, if not for one kid that abandoned the space she’s standing at I couldn’t have taken a full shot of the balloons.

fireworks display ended the event

I had difficulty going back. It was the last show. Heavy traffic is expected.  I walked a couple of meters away from the gate along with a couple of spectators. There’s a lot of vehicles but no one wants to offer a free ride to Main Gate. The few jeep that passes by are all full. I thought of walking all the way to Clark but it’s just too far.  After waiting for about an hour on the roadside. I started walking , I was determined to walk to Main Gate.  Suddenly, after a few steps,  I saw the people running towards my direction and as I look back, I saw an empty jeep. I ran as fast as I could and I was lucky enough to grab a sit.

At Dau bus station, the buses are full and there’s a couple of chance passengers like me.  Upon seeing a non-ac bus  approaching the station, I immediately made my way to the crowd just to get in. “12 people only”, the driver was shouting.  I was the 11th person  and I ended up at the far end of the bus.  The trip was uncomfortable due to the heat and crowd, I was the only girl sitted  on the end. But I still managed to sleep during the trip because I was too tired.

The Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is still a great event and will surely attract more visitors in the upcoming years.  But I sure hope the organizers will also come up with a means of  transportation  for ordinary people like me.  While I was there standing on the road with the other spectators,  I realized how many of the watchers  are commuting just to watch this event yet there’s not even a designated jeep stop where people can line up and ride the jeep back to Angeles.  Or perhaps much better if there’s a shuttle service too, at least if there’s not enough jeep then people can opt to pay for a shuttle ride or even best,  a free ride!

The Pinay Solo Backpacker would like to thank Rose, the staff of William’s Sisig for her kindess.  She allowed me to charge at their restaurant without any hesitation.

her name is Rose, a staff at William Sisig, my savior =)

How to get to Clark Free Port Zone, Pampanga for the Hot Air Balloon Festival:

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.

 
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Gael Hilotin

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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

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the sweetest lovers

How to commute 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.

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