WANT to witness hot air balloons taking off and soaring the skies? This is your sign to file a leave as the annual Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) is coming to the province of Albay for the first time this May 3 to 5, 2024.
You no longer need to book a flight to Cappadocia, Turkey just to experience the Hot Air Balloon ride. Or if the highly anticipated Hot Air Balloon Festival in Clark, Pampanga is too far for you, worry no more as the annual event is finally expanding more sites in the Philippines and will be held for the first time in the Bicol Region specifically at Old Legazpi Airport from May 3, Friday to May 5, Sunday.
Also known for “A Weekend of Everything Flies,” the event will have the scenic beauty of Bicol’s Mayon Volcano as its background, and the airshow will feature hot air balloons from other countries such as Brazil’s Bidu and UK’s Bella and Buster which are dog designs, Dyno the dinosaur from UK, the elephant Princess Nelly from Belgium, and USA’s Party Balloon to name a few.
Aside from hot air balloons, The Global Stars aerobatic team will perform a show of thrilling aircraft stunts along with daytime smoke trails and nighttime pyrotechnics during the event.
Ako Bicol Partylist Representative Zaldy Co told the media that the event aims to serve as a “catalyst for revitalizing tourism throughout Albay and the wider Bicol region,” taking its inspiration from the Hot Air Balloon Festival in Turkey and as commended by international pilots and participants.
Moreover, Co emphasized that the event organized by PIHABF promises to engage the spectators, will generate tourism-related employment, bolster sales of local products, and invigorate the regional economy.
PIHABF released the schedule of the Festival along with the calendar of activities including Hot Air Balloon Fly Out and Night Glow, Skydiving, Drone Racing, Car Drifting Show, Paramotors Formation, and many more.
Admission to the event is free of charge. Rides per individual cost P20,000 for the Hot Air Balloon Flight, P500 for the Tethered Hot Air Balloon Ride, P7,000 for the Tandem Paragliding, and P25,000 for the Tandem Skydiving.
However, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta announced through a comment on a post on their Facebook page on April 30, 2024 that the slots for the rides are already closed and have been taken.
