CLARK FREEPORT—It’s all systems go for the 22nd Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (Pihabf) set for February 8 to 11 at the Omni Aviation Complex here.
Dubbed “A Weekend of Everything that Flies,” this year’s festivities will showcase 26 colorful hot- air balloons from all over the world featuring a big number of new special-shaped balloons: Happy Heart, Matryoshka Russian Doll, Queen’s Guard, Giant Strawberry, Buddy Balloon, Captain Jack, Princess Nellie, Vostok Balloon, Master Yoda, Morris the Donkey, Bruno the Clown and Pepe the Hedgehog.
During a news conference at the Oasis Hotel here last Friday, Pihabf organizer Capt. Joy Roa said early-morning balloon flights will be followed by nonstop flying activities, including paragliding, skydiving, aerobatic exhibitions, formation flights, balloon-bursting competitions and kite flying.
A special sight to watch out for this year is the exhilarating performance of the world-renowned Aerosuperbatics Wingwalkers, who consider themselves “the world’s only aerobatic formation wing-walking team,” performing for the first time in the Philippines, Roa said.
He said the audience will be treated to the sight of two Stearman biplanes flown in an energetic routine of dazzling aerobatics doing loops, rolls, stall turns and inverted flights—while two fearless female wing walkers doing their own acrobatic moves and handstands while strapped to the aircraft’s wings. It is a spectacular aerial show not to be missed, he added.
Those interested to see Clark through the eyes of a pilot can book discovery flights, such as hot-air balloon rides, tandem skydiving, tandem paragliding, airplane and helicopter rides and aerobatic flights —all supervised by expert aviators.
Discovery flight tickets should be booked through the fiesta’s official web site prior to the fiesta.
On the ground, full entertainment is guaranteed for the whole family, with supercar-drifting exhibitions as airplanes drop flour bombs overhead; drone racing and RC control-line flying exhibitions; unique finds from the Fly Market; or archery, horseback riding, camel riding and even animal feeding.
In the evenings, musical artists from different countries will perform side by side with local talents at the One World Music Cultural Exchange Concert.
ABS-CBN artists will also stage performances throughout the weekend, with a fireworks display and balloon nightglow that will illuminate the last night of the fiesta.
Beyond all the flying exhibitions, the Pihabf has made it its mission to annually gather pilots from the world over to show them the beauty of the Philippines, and allow Filipinos to learn from other cultures, as well.
The Philippines will be hosting the Airsport Federation of Asia conference this year at the fiesta, to promote and strengthen air-sport events within all member-nations.
The Pihabf is the longest-running sports-aviation event in Asia, annually boosting tourism in Clark, Pampanga and the Philippines. For over two decades, it has stayed true to its longtime objectives: to spark interest in aviation; to instill discipline in young pilots; and to impart a spirit of volunteerism to the whole community, a Pihabf statement said.
Entrance tickets are at P500 each, a percentage of which goes to the Pihabf Foundation Scholarship Fund, granting scholarships to underprivileged, but deserving students who want to pursue a career in aviation. Tickets are available through the Fiesta’s web site, Ticketnet outlets or at the event gates.