18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF)

 

As of this writing me and my husband, Jonel are now checked-in at Metro Park Hotel, Angeles Pampanga to catch the 5:30am opening of the 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF).

Photos from last year’s 17th PIHABF

Our accommodation, Metro Clark Hotel is just walking distance from SM City Clark and surrounded by a lot of establishments and convenient stores.

Starbucks Coffee at SM City Clark, with hot air balloons on the nearby activity center.

Rooms are affordable and clean. We got a big room that fits up to 4 person. It has living room, a separate bedroom with two single beds and another room with queen-sized bed, a dining table and color television with cable. For room rates, visit their website at  http://www.metroclarkhotel.com/.

This is not my 1st time to attend the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta though. Last year, we joined Close Up Toothpaste's team.

Tomorrow, Feb 21 is the first Fiesta Day activities includes: 5:30am UFO Light Flyers, 6:20am Philippine Flag Jump followed by Hot Air Balloon flight.

There will be Paragliding exhibition from different countries too. Just in case you miss the 5:30am fly-in, next schedule will be at 5:30 in the afternoon. On the 4th Fiesta Day or the last day, there will be fireworks display at 7pm. ***schedule of events can be viewed  at www.philballoonfest.net, visit the link for the complete schedule.

On-site visit 1 day before the event:

We arrived in Clark around 6pm and immediately went to the event venue. Food stalls, kiosks and food trucks are all set. There's langhap sarap Jollibee, KFC, Mc Donald's, Chowking, Chic Boy, Burger King among others. Portable toilets are also available all over the venue.

Hosted by the Omni Aviation Complex, the 18 PIHAB starts tomorrow 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.

There will be exciting activities such as Breitling Jet Team activities, aircraft precision competitions, aero modeling, kite flying, paragliding, skydiving, ultralights, rescue demonstrations and fixed-wing aircraft competitions. You may also visit other nearby attractions or dine in and shop at SM City Clark.

See you later at the 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta! Wear comfortable shoes and clothes and don’t forget to bring your cameras for that kodak moments!