Hot air balloon feasts set

CLARK FREEPORT -- The Department of Tourism (DOT) in Central Luzon has announced the schedule of two separate hot air balloon festivals in Clark and Lubao town this year.

DOT Central Luzon Director Ronnie Tiotuico said the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is set on February 12 to 15 here.

The other event -- Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival -- was scheduled on March 26 to 29 in Lubao town, according to Tiotuico.

“Both are pet projects of the Department of Tourism,” he said.

“The biggest international and most colorful twin events to watch out for early 2015, one in Clark and another in Lubao Pampanga,” he added.

The event will include balloon flights (fly in and fly out cum night glow), air sporting events like aerobatics, flag jump/sky diving, balloon bursting, paragliding, aero modeling, wakeboarding, local tours, among others.

Tiotuico said that more than 200,000 spectators are expected to attend two events. “Attention tour operators, leisure parks, museum, hotels, restaurants, health and wellness centers and events' organizers.”

“Some 200,000 spectators are looking for other activities after the two events. We need activities and offers like special buffet lunch, early bird discounts on rooms, free shuttle, cultural shows and others,” he said.

Other suggested activities include visit to Nayong Pilipino Clark, Paradise Ranch/Zoocobia Fun Zoo, Dinosaur Island, El Kabayo Riding Stables, Clark Museum/History Tour, Clark Nature Park, Fontana Water Park, Philippine Air Force Park, Ocean Adventure, Pamulaklakin Forest Trail, Tree Top Adventure, Zoobic Zafari, JEST Camp, Pawikan Conservation Center, Balanga Nature and Wetland Park, Mount Samat Shrine, Las Casas Filipinas de Acuzar, Blessed John Paul II Memorial Shrine, White Rock resort, Puning Hot Spring, and Mount Pinatubo trek, among others. (Sun.Star Pampanga/Sunnex)

Reference: sunstar.com.ph