Yes, you’ve read it right! It was Kwento Ni Toto’s first at the 19th Philippines International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta, it is our first time to watch the balloons at close. Before, it was just a peek away from the highway where there were too many abstractions. It was a sore viewing the event, most specially when missing the inflating and flying of the hot air balloons. So, this time it’s much closer and we’re really there early.

The hot air balloons are scheduled to inflate and fly away at around 5:30 AM and I think some of the expectators were there much earlier. Imagine the crowd as early as 5 AM.

Finally the long wait is over, the Philippines’ first, foremost and longest-running gathering of aviators and aviation enthusiasts from around the globe is back for another Weekend of Everything That Flies.

This year’s Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival (PIHABF) is set on February 12 to 15 at the Philippine Air Force ADAC Hangar in Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga.

Earlier this year, a memorandum of agreement to hold the annual balloon fiesta was signed by Bases Conversion and Development Authority (BCDA) president Arnel Casanova, Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president Arthur Tugade, Clark International Airport Corporation (CIAC) president, (then) chief executive officer Victor Jose Luciano, and Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Foundation Inc. (PIHABF) president Capt. Joy Roa at the Asian Air Safari hangar in Pasay City.

What to expect on a four full days of flying activities?

If you're expecting a great show of everything that flies this year, well, I got a not so good news to you, you won't see anything flying this year.  Yes, this year the organizers of the longest running balloon event in Asia – the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF): “A Weekend of Everything that Flies,” maintains its decision not to hold the 19^th PIHABF this year, but instead, prepare for a bigger event scheduled for February 12-15, 2015.

Indeed this is a very disappointing news as most of the yearly spectators are looking forward for this every year since it first started.  Now, as what the organizers releases they will be having it next year for the reason that they need to have longer preparations for this in order to provide the best show for everyone.  

Too bad, I wasn't able to get to visit the recently concluded 18th Hot Air Balloon Festival.  Though my place of work was just a ride away from the venue of the said festival I wasn't able to enjoy the great views of gigantic and colorful hot air balloons.  Anyway I did enjoy watching their air show which is just a glimpse away from my place of work.