My First Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Experience #PIHABF2016 #BalloonFestPH
I’m so glad I was able to attend the 20th Philippine International Hot air Balloon Festival, an annual gathering of Aviators in the Philippines and is traditionally held in Clark, Pampanga. It’s my first time to attend the festival and I really had a blast. The fiesta is now considered as the longest running sports aviation event not just in he country but in Asia. It was a remarkable experience for me because I have lots of firsts here. It’s my first time to see a Hot Air Balloon in such close proximity, my first time to travel all the way from Cavite to Pampanga abd my first time to witness real aircraft too!
I was with my sister and we arrived in Clark around 4 am in the morning but we were greeted by an overwhelming amount of people. It was a freaking long queue and we waited almost an hour before we managed to get it. But then, after that stressing travel and queue, it was all worth it when you see the colorful balloons rising up in the sky!
The Philippine Flag-inspired Balloon preparing to take off! The Philippine Flag balloon serves as the “hare” of that day which means the balloon will take off first before the so-called “Hound” balloons and typically flies with multiple altitude changes to make it more difficult for the chasing balloons to match its flight path.
The event started off with an entertaining Light Dance and followed by Skydiving Philippine Flag jump
The Hare and Hound Balloon Flights is followed by Motorized Paragliding Exhibition and an impressive exhibition from Twinz Acrobatic Paragliders
There’s also an overwhelming amount of activities you can do while you are in the festival. You can visit different booths especially those run by Philippine Air Force! You’ll get a chance to witness the tools, weapons and even the armors they usually wear during their mission.
You can hold that real gun and wear those heavy suits for free and the officers in charged in that booth were even kind enough to take pictures of you.
You can also bring or buy kites from KOM Kites and fly it on your own. They also offer Free Kite flying workshop just in case you do not know how it works. 
You can also join other activities such as Horseback Riding, Camel Riding, Archery (from Oculus) or have fun inside their huge inflatable playground. 
Aside from the opportunity to witness Mr Drift of Autocraft Drift Team doin an impressive car drifting exhibition, you’ll also get a chance to witness their drift cars on display!
An overwhelming amount of old and new Aircraft were on display too!
Satisfy your tummy with plenty of food booths to choose from.
Oh and of course, the trip will not be completed without buying Souvenirs. 
Despite of the striking heat, I didn’t want to miss this Photo Op LOL
Note: This is just an overview, I will post more details about my recent Hot Air Balloon Festival Experience soon
ooh, this is interesting!! the Philippine International Hot Air Ballon Festival.. i love all those colorful hot air balloon, they are just so beautiful up there in the sky.. but this festival is not just hot air balloon, i can see a lot of other activities that you can join and also yummy food you can savor as well.. it’s indeed very worth going huh?? and i like that Jollibee “photo booth”, hahahaha, interesting, i won’t hesitate to take a photo there too~~ :p
Really wanna experience hot air fest!!! Maybe next year??? It look so fun!!
This is so amazing! Been wishing to ride a hot air balloon since I was young haha. Looks like you really had a fun and memorable experience hihi
I am jealous. I always wanted to join that festival. Hopefully, next year I will have time and money for that. Cya then!
I did not get to go this year but I went last year and the year before that. I enjoyed it. Someday, I wish to be able to ride it too.
Aw. Im so jealous of you. Haha! Planning to attend the next one!
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great view! i love hot air balloon, I wanna experience this #bucket-listed
We were at this festival last year but we didn’t get to really enjoy because it was raining and we were all tired from another event. But it was still a memorable experience. I would love to see that Philippine flag up close! They did not have that last year. I don’t remember seeing drift cars on display last year too; looks like more great activities this year!
Wah!I plan to visit and join this festival since last year but due to my construction project I failed na naman, next year talaga pupunta na ako.
I am soooo jealous! I saw my friends’ photos of this on Facebook and I really wanted to experience this as well. Huhu, hopefully soon!!!
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I was able to attend this festival last 2012, we got the tix from a travel group and we are from Laguna naman. Such a fun-filled event!
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Gosh! I missed this again! :(( Huhuhu I’ve been wanting to go and see hot air balloons! I promise to go next year! :)) Glad you enjoyed your time there!
Are you allowed to ride the hot air balloons?
I’m planning to bring my family there last valentines, but decided against it, I’ve been driving to the north and vice versa for some projects and I want to rest for a while. This is a great review, I’m encourage to attend this event next year
BalloonFest PH was very amazing! We planned to visit Clark, Pampanga last Valentines but unfortunately we didn’t go because it was too far and because of traffic. Keep posting xx
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