Philippine International Balloon Festival (PIBF) 2014 on April 10 to 13, 2014 in Lubao Pampanga (UPDATED)

Last November 28, 2013, I posted a news about the cancellation of the annual Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHBF) for 2014. It came to me as a surprise considering that the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is one of the most awaited festivals in the Philippines. But wait, there's a piece of good news that came to me just now. As an answer to the public's clamor for an aviation event, the Department on Tourism announced that they are spearheading a new hot air balloon festival called "The Philippine Friendship Balloon Festival 2014".

The festival is set to happen on April 10 to 13, 2014 in Clark Pampanga. This was confirmed by Ronnie Tiotuico, Department of Tourism Region III Director in a planning session held yesterday, December 20, 2013, which was also attended by some tourism stakeholders.

PIHBF 2013

The DOT said, "it’s official we (DOT) are taking the lead", to create an event for tourists and hot air balloon enthusiasts." The festival is supported by Ramon Jimenez Jr., DOT Secretary as well as by various tourism stakeholders and organizations. With the theme "It's more than just hot air. It's a celebration of life in times of adversity", it will be organized by Philippine Exhibits and Themeparks Corporation (PETCO). Proceeds will go to the rehabilitation projects in Eastern Visayas.

PIHBF 2013

The festival will feature more activities and will not only be limited to aviation. As of this writing, the final schedule and list of activities were not yet announced. BOOKMARK this post as I will be updating this as soon as it comes out.

This will be an exciting event to watch out for! Mark the dates! April 10 to 13, 2014 for the Philippine Friendship Balloon Festival 2014! See you in Pampanga!

UPDATE:

The 2014 Philippine Friendship Balloon Festival is now renamed as "Philippine International Balloon Festival (PIBF) 2014" to be held in Brgy. Prado Siongco, Lubao Pampanga.

Still supported by the DOT, the said event will now be organized by Pilipinas International Balloon Festival, Inc. headed by Noel Castro, Jr. together with the Culture, Arts and Tourism Office of Pampanga led by the provincial tourism officer Arwin Lingat. Activities to watch out for include night glow, wake boarding, kite flying, street dancing and cultural presentations, live bands, cook-off competition, arts and crafts demonstrations.

HOW MUCH IS THE TICKET PRICE?

Tickets are at Php 200 / person

WHERE TO BUY HOT AIR BALLOON FIESTA TICKETS?

SM ticket outlets nationwide

PARKING FEES?

Cars Php 50
Buses Php 100

For more updates or inquiries, please contact the Culture, Arts and Tourism Office of Pampanga at (045)963-0107 or email them at pampanga_tourism@yahoo.com.

Thanks to clarkisit.com for sharing the news to us. You may read their post on “The Philippine Friendship Balloon Festival 2014”.