It’s certainly a sight to behold: the morning skies over Pampanga dotted with dozens of colorful hot air balloons. And it has become an annual tradition.
Since it was introduced 17 years ago, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival held in Clark Airfield, Pampanga has proven to be more than just hot air.
An estimated 60,000 spectators from the country and around the world witness the biggest aviation sports event in the Philippines.On February 9-12, 2012, the tradition commences with added events like a spectacular aerobatic show, sky diving, paragliding, ultralight flights, kite exhibitions and an aircraft balloon bursting competition. These activities occur throughout different times of the day.
Up, up and away!
Plus, the festival location makes it easy for organizers like Richard Burgos to whip together a Pampanga heritage tour, an event that is equally colorful and cultural.
Like many modern-day festivals such as Bacolod’s Mardi Gras-like MassKara, which came in the wake of a 1980 maritime disaster that claimed 700 lives, many of them Negrenses, the hot air balloon fiesta grew out of adversity too. It began in 1994 in the aftermath of the Mt. Pinatubo eruption. Originally, it was an attempt to help jumpstart the local economy; now, it fuels the passion for flying while simultaneously promoting tourism.
“Wouldn't you say the festival has flown a long way since then?” asked Burgos.
How to get there
The tour begins at 3:30 a.m. at the Market! Market! terminal along C5, proceeds to Pampanga, and returns to Market! Market! the same day.
Every day, the balloons take off at around 6:30 in the morning with afternoon flights on Thursday and Friday. On Saturday and Sunday, the festival features “Night Glow,” an impressive display of balloons being inflating simultaneously.
In between the morning and evening balloon lift-off, Richard Burgos’s tour brings visitors around the heritage sites of Angeles city, including the Kapampangan Studies Center at Holy Angel University. A feast awaits visitors hungry for culture at the Museo ng Angeles, the first culinary museum in Asia and Susie’s for local delicacies.
Tour package includes an air-conditioned tour bus with a guide on board, entrance fees to the airfield and museums, and buffet lunch at P2,000 per person.
For tour information, contact Richard Burgos at 0933 187 3095 and burgosrp2003@yahoo.com
8 comments