Hot air balloon fest to kick off in Lubao, Pampanga on Thursday

Around 46 multi-colored hot air ballons will populate the vast land of Pradera, Prado Siongco in Lubao, Pampanga when the Lubao Hot Air Balloon Festival kicks off on Thursday, March 26.

The festival, sponsored by the Municipal Government of Lubao, expects the participation of balloon operators from 15 countries—with Department of Tourism Regional Director Ronnie Tiotuico claiming that it will be the biggest hot air balloon event in Southeast Asia.

Lubao town Mayor Mylyn-Pineda Cayabyab said that their preparation for this year's event began soon after last year's inaugural festival ended. "Based on the ticket sales now, we are expecting more than 100,000 spectators will come to witness the flight of the colorful balloons, " she said.

The Lubao Hot Air Balloon Festival is entirely different from the annual Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival, which was held at the Clark Freeport Zone last month and is managed by a different entity.

Spectators are advised to get to the place at 4 a.m. on Thursday if they want to watch the  preparations for the balloons' flights. To get to site from Manila, take Victory Liner, Genesis or Five Star (with terminals in Pasay and Cubao) buses heading to Bataan. Otherwise, take the NLex San Fernando toll plaza, turn left towards Bataan along Jose Abad Santos Ave. (former Olongapo – Gapan Rd.), straight to Lubao; stop at the Lubao – Dinalupihan welcome arch. The site will be on your right. Travel time is about 1 ½ hours. From Clark, take the SCTex on Clark South route to Subic, exit Dinalupihan toll plaza, onto the welcome arch in Lubao. Travel time is a mere 45 minutes. — BM, GMA News

The Lubao Hot Air Balloon Festival will run from March 26 to 29. For more information, contact the Lubao Tourism Office at (+63) (0) 917-512-9143 or (+63 45) 971-6276/6544 or visit the event's website and Facebook page.