A Guide to the 16th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival

Happy Love Month everyone! 🙂

Do you know that aside from Valentines Day, there’s this another event in February that a lot of Filipinos are looking forward to?

If you are a balloon enthusiast, I believe you already know what I am talking about. Yes, once again, the air will be filled up with colors and balloons as the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival will be held on February 10-13, 2011. On its 16th year, 27 balloons will participate, celebrating the centennial of the first airplane flight in our country; there will also more kids’ activities, more aviation school participation, and new attractions in a larger ground.

Here’s the schedule of the event:

How To Get There:
Exact location of the event: Air Force City, Clark Freeport, Angeles City, Pampanga

By Air
There are 3 airlines offering domestic flights to Clark’s Diosdado Macapagal International Airport – CebuPacific, Zest Airways, and SeaAir.

By Bus
There are trips to Pampanga on a daily basis. You can either take Philippine Rabbit Liner or Victory Liner. Ride the bus that is bound for Dagupan and alight at the Dau common terminal. From the Dau bus terminal, walk a bit toward the highway. You can see tricycles and jeepneys that can take you to the Clark gate.

By Car
There are 2 routes available. Estimated Travel Time: 1 1/2 hrs.

via NLEX, SCTEX
Take North Luzon Expressway from Manila and continue past Dau Toll Plaza – but do not take 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 stoplight, turn right to Roxas Highway. The Balloon Fiesta will be on your right.

via NLEX, Dau
Take North Luzon Expressway from Manila and exit at Dau, Mabalacat. Take a left turn towards Angeles City and make an easy right turn to Clark. After entering the main gate, proceed along Roxas Highway. The Balloon Fiesta will be on your right.

Important:
– make sure to get at the Clark Field before 5 am if you would really like to see how they set up the balloon and how they make it fly. If you arrive later than that, expect that all the balloons are already up in the air (these balloons leave and just go back late afternoon)

-DO NOT BUY YOUR TICKETS at SM TICKETNET. If this will be your first time and you are planning to keep the tickets as souvenirs, buy either in ROX or onsite itself. Tickets in SM Ticketnet looks like your usual concert tickets. Tickets for Hot Air Balloon Fiesta are for Php150.00.

– if you want to get a photographer’s pass/VIP PASS so you could go beyond the fence and go near those big balloons while they are being set up, log on to http://www.digitalphotographer.com.ph. Tickets will be for Php1000.00.
For February 10 photographer pass, click here.
For February 11 photographer pass, click here.
For February 12 photographer pass, click here.
For February 13 photographer pass, click here.

– if you want to ride the balloon, charge is $150/person. It’s a first come-first served basis so go directly to the Information Booth to book yourself a ride.