MEDIA RELEASE

February 2011

Clark soars as Hot Air Balloon fest turns 16

The skies above Clark Field in Angeles, Pampanga transformed into a grand

stage for aviation sports to mark the 16 th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon

Fiesta (PIHABF) last February 10 to 13, 2011.

“This celebration had been a welcome addition to the tourism map since its

inception in 1995 and continues to impress with its unique array of attractions,”

remarked Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim, who dropped in on the celebrations last

Saturday, February 12. He enjoyed a balloon ride before proceeding to the Diosdado

Macapagal International Airport and Nayong Pilipino in Clark for site visits.

This year’s installment of the PIHABF doubles as a commemoration of a

century of Philippine aviation, a history that dates back to the first airplane flight in

the country in 1911.

More than 20 balloons, some brought in by foreign enthusiasts, took off from

Clark Field for early-morning and late-afternoon flights. In between, a number of

aerial exhibitions in aircraft formation and aerobatics, skydiving, paragliding, and kite

and model aircraft flying, among others, kept festival-goers delighted.

Educational ramp tours also enabled interested visitors to see the

participating planes up close and chat with pilots, jumpers and other aviation sports

personnel.
 On land, events were equally action-packed as several demonstrations,

including several in car drifting, fire fighting and rescue operations, were held. There

was also much to see and do at the different exhibitors’ booths at the venue.

DOT Region III Director Ronaldo Tiotuico cited that the Philippine

International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is now a regular addition to the North Luzon

tourism calendar, with an increasing number of visitors making the road trip from

Metro Manila and nearby provinces each year.

“We at the Department of Tourism definitely look forward to future runs of this

event as it continues to soar in popularity,” Sec. Lim said.

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CONTACT: EVELYN A. MACAYAYONG

Office of Tourism Information
525-18-05
An excited Tourism Secretary Alberto A. Lim waves to the crowd
below as he takes his first balloon ride during the PIHABF at Clark,
Pampanga.