20th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2016: Cultural Adventure

February might be famously known as "Heart's Month" but it is also the month that we could enjoy the biggest aviation sports event in the country. Celebrated in Clark Freeport Zone in Angeles City, Pampanga every second week of February, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is famously known as the fiesta for everything that flies.

20th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Details

Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2016 - Angeles City, Pampanga

 This year's four-day event was held from February 11-14. It showcased a number of aerial exhibitions and ground events which were flocked by thousands of local and foreign tourists alike. 

Got our tickets for this fiesta!

The place has plenty of space to park your car

A perfect way to start the event is the arrival of a flag-carrying skydiver with the singing of the Philippine National Anthem

Hot Air Balloons getting ready for lift-off

The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta started in 1994, three years after the devastating eruption of Mt. Pinatubo. Its main aim is to help jump-start the economy and morale of the people residing in the lands destroyed by the catastrophe. 

Mt. Arayat as seen from a distance

The festival was going well in the first few years after its launch. However, due to financial difficulties, it was canceled in 1999 but quickly recovered and resumed a year after. To date, it's celebrating its 20th year.

Off they go!

My wife and I got to experience the 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta several years ago. During our first visit, we tried commuting from Manila to Angeles City, Pampanga, and found out firsthand how challenging it was. So, this year, I've decided to drive instead.

Now that is a real-life fighter jet

I wonder if these are still operational

One of the several APC displays

You can take one of these home with you... (If you buy them)

Some displays in one of the booths





You could also try this one out (but you have to line up)

Ella posing with a Storm Trooper

Ella with Dora the Explorer

Since we got control of our time, thus we got to the venue early. The perks of it of course is that we got to get the best parking slot available (near the entrance ) and more importantly, we managed to get some 2-3 hours of sleep (I found out that driving from 12 midnight to 2AM is not a joke).

My brother Patrick got to attend the 20th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta with us

 Unlike our first visit, we managed to watch the early morning liftoff of the hot air balloons which we failed to do during our first visit. This and the Night-glow are, for me, the highlights of the festival.

Some of the hot air balloons that I fancied:





 There were several more activities lined up for the day, however, since we brought my young daughter along and it was very hot, we decided to cut short our stay in the festival venue and then head to SM Clark instead. It was there that I got to avail myself of the Starbucks Pampanga city tumbler for my collection. After enjoying the "airconditioned' mall, we decided to call it a day and go back home instead of returning to the venue.

My wife KC got her Instagram photo taken

 Overall, we enjoyed the festival and we could safely say that the P350 pax worth ticket is worth your cultural adventure.

Team Nicerio attends the 2016 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

If you're planning to attend next year's festival, please do keep these in mind:

  1. Leave Manila very early (like 12 midnight)
  2. Wear loose and comfortable clothes. It's quite hot and humid there at noon.  
  3. Bring an umbrella, hat/cap, and banig.
  4. Bring your own food and drink.
  5. Google and print the festival itinerary from their website.
Ratings:
Crowd
Cleanliness
Overall rating
Location: Clark Freeport, 2023 Pampanga, Philippines

Comments

  1. Josephine IbarraDecember 8, 2017 at 10:11 AM

    Thanks for sharing your experience, great post! I really love hot air balloon festival.

    ReplyDelete
  2. AnonymousJuly 8, 2023 at 3:51 PM

    Salamat sa pagshare nito sir. Isa kami sa may ari ng balloons diyan. I hope makasakay kayo next time.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Neil Alvin NicerioJuly 14, 2023 at 10:29 AM

      Ayun oh! Sure! Would love to experience that. =) Thanks!

      Delete

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