How to get to Lubao for town’s international hot-air balloon fest

Balloon fans attend the Lubao hot-air balloon festival in this photo from April 2015. This year's festival is expected to draw no fewer than 100,000 visitors from all over the country. Photos: Ruston Banal

More than 30 balloons from 23 countries will be painting the sky of Pampanga at the Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival, which will be held from April 6 to 9.

The festival will be held in Pradera Verde in Brgy. Prada Siongco in Lubao, with Bataan's Mt. Malasimbo in the background.

Aside from balloon flights, the festival will offer fun activities such as aerial and land exhibitions, street activities, games, and concerts featuring artists like Alex Aiono, SpongeCola, Parokya ni Edgar and Bamboo. According to Department of Tourism Region 3 Director Ronnie Tiotuico, this year's festival is expected to draw no fewer than 100,000 visitors from all over the country.

More about Lubao

The historic town has a few places you might want to check out once you get there. When the balloons are not yet in the air or after they have descended in the early dawn, you might want to check out San Agustin Church, designated an Important Cultural Property by the National Commission for the Culture and the Arts and the National Museum, said Mayor Mylyn Pineda-Cayabyab.

"People can also visit the Bamboo Hub, a cool place in Santa Catalina, Lubao, if they want to take some rest and enjoy the sound of the bamboos," she added.

The Bamboo Hub in Santa Catalina, Lubao

There will also be an international music festival on the last day featuring

Getting there

By car via NLEX

On the North Luzon Expressway, take the San Fernando exit.

Turn left on Jose Abad Santos Avenue (formerly Olangapo - Gapan road).

Head towards the town of Lubao, passing the Gua-Gua - Sta. Rita Intersection and the Golangco intersection.

Brgy. Prado Siongco is Lubao's last barangay before Bataan.

The venue is on the right side of the highway, before the Bataan-Pampanga welcome arch.

By car via SCTEX

On the Subic-Clark-Tarlec Expressway, take the Dinalupihan toll exit.

Turn left on Jose Abad Santos Avenue (formerly Olangapo - Gapan road).

The venue is right after the Bataan-Pampanga welcome arch.

By bus from Metro Manila

Take a Genesis or Victory Liner bus going to Olangapo or Balanga. Ask the conductor if the bus will pass by Lubao, Pampanga.

If the bus passes by Lubao, you can ask to be dropped off at Pradera Verde.

All bus lines have a stop-over in Lubao. The Genesis terminal is a few minutes' walk from Pradera Verde. The Victory Liner terminal is 15 minutes from Pradera Verde.

By jeepney from San Fernando, Pampanga

Take a jeepney going to Sta.Cruz or Gua-Gua. Get off at the jeepney terminal.

At the terminal, take a jeepney going to Dinalupihan. Ask the driver to drop you off at Pradera Verde.

By jeepney from Bataan and Olongapo

Take a jeepney going to Dinalupihan, Bataan. Get off at the jeepney terminal.

At the terminal, take a jeepney going to Sta. Cruz or Gua-Gua. Ask the driver to drop you off at Pradera Verde.

By bus from Bataan and Olongapo

Get on a Victory Liner bus going to San Fernando, Pampanga or Manila. Ask the bus conductor to drop you off at Pradera Verde. — BM, GMA News

Tickets to the Lubao International Balloon and Music Festival can be bought at SM Tickets and at TicketWorld Online. One-day general admission tickets cost P300. A special gold ticket for April 9 worth P1,500 will allow you a closer view during the music festival on the last day.

For more information, may contact Forthinker, Inc. from Mondays to Fridays, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. at (+632) 942-0768, 0917-821-0728, or lubaoibf@gmail.com.