2012 hot air balloon fest bigger, brighter

Monday, February 6, 2012

CLARK FREEPORT -- Expect a bigger and brighter celebration of the 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) this coming Thursday until Sunday in this Freeport.

This was the statement of Captain Joy Roa, hot air balloon fiesta organizer and PIHABF executive director, during the press launch at the SM City Clark on Sunday.

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"We're happy to be here. We have more people helping us this year like retired generals, ambassadors and basketball players among others," Roa said.

Roa said at least 26 hot air balloons, including six specially shaped balloons, will be flown starting Thursday. Some balloons, Roa said, were shapes of a car, birthday cake, ice cream, Sunkist, and a Kiwi mascot.

Aside from hot air balloons, military aircraft, kites and radio-controlled turbine jets will also occupy the sky during the festival.

Kite flying and sky diving activities will be spearheaded by the Philippine Kite Flying Team.

Roa said he has invited the Air Force of United States of America, Brunei, Malaysia, Singapore, among others, to fly their aircraft.

Moreover, he said paragliders from 16 countries including Spain, Turkey and Malaysia will be present during the festival.

"We will also try something different like night flying of radio controlled turbine jets with lights around 6:30 p.m.," Roa said.

SM City Clark Mall Manager Ana Datu said they are prepared for the influx of tourists coming to the province during the hot air balloon festival.

Clark Development Corporation Tourism Promotions Head Noemi Garcia thanked organizations who took part for the success of the festival.

The hot air balloon festival will open on Thursday as early as 5:00 a.m. at the Air Force City hangar in this Freeport.