The 18th Phil. Int’l Hot Air Balloon Fiesta: Day 1

 

I feel privileged to witness the 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta held at Omni Aviation Complex in Clark Pampanga yesterday morning.

Seeing them starting to inflate; with its irregular shapes, designs and color, traveling all the way to Clark was worth the effort.

 

 

We arrived in the evening of February 20 and stayed at Metro Clark Hotel. It’s just near SM City Clark, walking distance from the hotel.

 

The event started with the Philippine flag jump and singing our National Anthem, Lupang Hinirang.

Not too long, participants from different companies and countries are setting up their hot air balloons.

Also joining is SM City Clark. Jonel and I were excited hoping to ride a hot air balloon but as I said, due to strong winds they decided not to have the tethered flight.

A bouquet of tulip is another favorite.

We’re excited to see Axe Philippines five-story hot air balloon shaped like a NASA space-shuttle space brought here from United States.

SM Supermalls, SM City Clark’s hot air balloon in regular hot air balloon shape and with the brand’s logo successfully flew.

The Breitling Jet Team exhibition was awesome! Other activities includes aircraft precision competitions, aero modeling, kite flying, paragliding, skydiving, ultralights, rescue demonstrations and fixed-wing aircraft competitions.

The 18 PIHAB started on Thursday February 21, 2013 and will run until the weekend or February 24 at the Clark Freeport Zone. Unfortunately, tickets on sale are already sold out but you can still buy at the gates on the day itself. Ticket price is P250 (~US$8.5) through SM Ticketnet outlets, you may try to call 833-3264 or 384-0085 for ticket inquiries.

By the way, there will be an OPM Concert from 6pm to 9pm on February 22-23 at the Balloon Fiesta. For ticket inquires,  visit the ticket booth at the Balloon Fiesta entrance/gate.

Here are friendly reminders:

• Wear your most comfortable shoes and clothes. Don’t use your stylish high-heels of lovely flats.
• It's a soil ground, so expect it to be dusty. Wear your shades to protect your eyes from the dust.
• There's a lot of food kiosks, food stores and food truck. But it would be great to bring your own pack lunch and bottled water, that way you also save extra peso which you can use for buying pasalubong.
• Don’t forget to bring your umbrellas.
• I don’t recommend bringing your kids especially those who are sickly and have asthma or respiratory disorders since the venue is too dusty.
• Bring facial wipes and extra towel to wipe your feet when you leave the venue. The soil/dust that’s left on your feet causes itchiness.

Related Post: http://www.livingmarjorney.com/2013/02/18th-philippine-international-hot-air.html