Hot air balloons soar anew for 19th revival at Clark

MANILA, Philippines - Kites, aircraft, and practically “everything that flies” will hit the Philippine skies again after a one-year break as the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) sets its 19th edition on Feb. 12-15, 2015 at the Phl Air Force Hangar in Clark Freeport Zone.

A gathering of aviation’s finest from the Phl and the world, the PIHABF will feature non-stop flying activities – kite flying, radio-controlled fliers, electric and turbine jets, paramotors doing exhibition and formation flying, sky diving, ultralight and microlight aircraft performing formation flying and doing fun flying competitions, private planes and private helicopters doing a “rally in the air,” and an aerobatic team performing a heart-stopping routine.

The Aviator or the Year award will also be handed to pilots “who have made outstanding contributions in upgrading the standards of safety and aviation interests in their regions.”

“We want to fuel the passion for aviation in the Philippines and to showcase the endless possibilities in this field,” said Capt. Joy Roa, president of the organizing PIHABF foundation.

Last Tuesday, Roa signed a memorandum of agreement with Bases Conversion and Development president Arnel Casanova, Clark Development Corp. president Arthur Tugade, and Clark International Airport Corp. president and CEO Victor Jose Luciano making Clark the venue for the Fiesta not only in 2015 but also in the succeeding two years.

“We’re looking forward to another big event and for it to becoming even greater than the previous Hot Air Balloon Festivals,” said Luciano.

Organizers also unveiled the poster for the 19th Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, which was designed by renowned artist Manuel Baldemor and features colorful renditions of Filipino life and culture within a community setting.

The Fiesta is coming off a highly-successful staging in 2013 highlighted by the presence of the Breitling Jet Acrobatic Team, which wowed the crowd with its jaw-dropping stunt.

Without much time to prepare a program that will be at par with the last one, organizers decided to suspend the Fiesta in 2014.

“From our perspective, our 2013 event would be a hard act to follow without allowing sufficient time to plan, prepare and book new and interesting activities,” the PIHABF said.

“We believe that by suspending the 2014 Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, allowing our organizing committee more time to secure a suitable venue for the fiesta and investing more time in planning, securing sponsorships and implement enhancements, we can offer our spectators a truly safe and world class event in 2015,” it added.

Though the Breitling Jet Acrobatic Team will not be forthcoming, Roa said they are arranging for Breitling to bring in its Jetman or participate in other activities. They are also working with Russian and Italian groups to come over and perform aerobatic stunts.