A Weekend of Everything that Flies

The waiting is over, the 18th Clark Philippines Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is on and the excitement is about to begin. The participants are signed and the schedule is formed. 

The governmental agencies responsible for the operation of the Clark Freeport Zone and Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Foundation Inc. (PIHABF) President Capt. Joy Roa sign the agreement for the latest and greatest show in the Philippines. 

Rumors were previously circulating that the event was going to be cancelled…but happily, those were only vicious rumors. Started by some private party that distributed flyers throughout Angeles City, the rumor stating there would be no hot air balloon show this year…a totally false and unsanctioned effort. 

So, happily, and to the chagrin of the tens of thousands that enjoy the annual event, the upcoming 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta titled “A Weekend of Everything that Flies” will be held on February 21-24, 2013 at the Omni Aviation Complex at Clark Philippines. 

18th Hot Air Balloon festival

The Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Foundation Incorporated has set the 18th hot air balloon festival on February 21 to 24, 2013.

A memorandum of agreement (MOA) was recently forged by the Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA), Clark Development Corporation (CDC), Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC), PIHABF, and Manila International Airport Authority (MIAA).

Officials present during the agreement signing at the MIAA board room were President and acting CDC President Arnel Paciano Casanova; CIAC President and Chief Executive Officer Victor Jose Luciano and PIHABF President Captain Joy Roa.

The upcoming 18th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta titled “A Weekend of Everything that Flies” will be held at the Omni Aviation Complex in the Clark Freeport.

CDC Tourism Promotions Manager Noemi Garcia, MIAA General Manager Jose Angel Honrado, CDC Executive Vice-President Philip Panlilio, CIAC Executive Vice-President and COO Bienvenido Manga and CDC Assistant Vice-President Bernie Angeles were also present during the MOA signing.

In 2012, some 26 balloons, including six specially shaped balloons with shapes of a car, birthday cake, ice cream, Sunkist, and a Kiwi mascot, were flown.

by: Reynaldo Navales