Flying Soon!

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...And the long wait is finally over!  The media releases for the upcoming 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta is finally out!!!!  Mark your calendars as the Pampanga skies literally becomes rainbow colored and much more... February 9-12 are your option dates.  So what's going to happen on these dates? Here are the events schedules (subject to changes though as it is still quite early).  Highlighted in red are those I am very much interested in seeing.

February 9
THURS   FIRST FIESTA DAY              
        Hot Air Balloon Flight  5:30-7:00AM   
        Paragliding Exhibition  7:00-7:30AM   
        Ultra-Light Aircraft Formation Flying   7:40-8:30AM   
        Ultra-Light Bomb Dropping Audience Participation    8:30-9:30PM   
        Skydiving Exhibition    9:30-10:00AM  
        Kite Flying Exhibition  10:00-11:00AM 
        AOPA Light Airplane Balloon Bursting Competition 11:00AM-1:30PM
        Sky Diving Exhibition   1:30-2:00PM   
        Army Jeep Club Demonstration    2:00-2:45PM   
        RC Demonstration Flying 3:45-4:30PM   
        Rocketry Demonstration  4:30-5:00PM   
        Ultra light Formation Flying    5:00-5:20PM   
        Hot Air Balloon Fly-In   5:20-6:00PM   
                      
February 10 FRI SECOND FIESTA DAY             
        Hot Air Balloon Flight  5:30-7:00AM   
        Paragliding Exhibition  7:00-7:30AM   
        Ultralight Aircraft Flyby       7:40-8:30AM   
        Aerobatic Flight Display        8:30-9:30AM   
        RC Helicopter Show      9:30-9:50AM   
        AOPA Aircraft Flyby     9:50-10:30AM  
        AOPA Aircraft Balloon Bursting Competition 10:30-11:30AM 
        Skydiving Exhibition            11:00-11:30AM 
        Ultralight Airplane Bomb Dropping       11:30AM-12:30PM
        Choreographed Kite Flying Exhibition    12:30-1:30PM  
        Fire Fighting Exhibition        1:30-2:30PM   
        Sky Diving exhibition   2:15-3:00PM   
        Aerobatic Show  3:00-3:15PM   
        Rocketry Demonstration  4:00-4:30PM   
        Paragliding Exhibition  4:30-5:15PM   
        Hot Air Balloon Flights 5:30-6:00PM   
        Aviator’s Ball  7:00 pm
                       

February 11 SAT THIRD FIESTA DAY              
        Hot Air Balloon Flight  5:30-7:00AM   
        Paragliding Exhibition  7:00-7:30AM   
        Ultralight Aircraft Flyby       7:40-8:30AM   
        Aerobatic Flight Display        8:30-9:30AM   
        Search And Rescue Flying Exhibition     9:30-10:00AM  
        AOPA-P,         10:00-10:30AM 
        Sky Diving Exhibition   10:30-11:00AM 
        AOPA Light Airplane Balloon Bursting Competition 11:00AM-12:30PM
        Choreographed Kite Flying Exhibition    12:30-1:30PM  
        Ultralight Flying Display   1:30-2:30PM   
         Citation Mustang fly-by    2:30-3:15PM   
        Skydiving Exhibition  3:15-3:45PM   
        Aerobatic display       3:45-4:30PM   
        Rocketry Demonstration  4:30-5:00PM   
        Ultralight Fly By       5:00-5:30PM   
        RC Airplane Flying Demonstration  5:30-5:45PM   
        Hot Air Balloon Flight  5:45-6:15PM   
        Hot Air Balloon Night Glow      6:45-7:30PM   
                      
February 12 SUN LAST FIESTA DAY       
        Hot Air Balloon Flight  5:30-7:00AM   
        Paragliding Exhibition  7:00-7:30AM   
        Ultralight Aircraft Flyby       7:30-8:30AM   
        AOPA-P,         8:30-9:30AM   
        RC Helicopter Show      9:30-10:00AM  
        Helicopter Flying Exhibition    10:00-10:30AM  
        Sky Diving Exhibition   10:30-11:00AM 
        AOPA Light Airplane Balloon Bursting Competition 11:00AM-12:30PM
        Choreographed Kite Flying Exhibition    12:30-1:30PM  
        Ultralight Flying Display       1:30-2:30PM   
        RC Airplane Flying Demonstration        2:30-3:00PM   
        Aerobatic Exhibition    3:00-4:00PM   
        Rocketry Demonstration  4:00-4:45PM   
        Search and Rescue Exhibition    4:45-5:30PM   
        Hot Air Balloon Night Glow      5:30-6:45PM   
        Crew and Awards Night Party     7:30PM 

Tickets are available at the CDC Tourism Promotions Office. For more information please look for Ms. Sol Cabigting or Ms. Ellen Lorenzo through tel nos.: (045).599.6235/09163123241/09266866347

FAQs (From philballoonfest.com)

Q. Where is the exact location of the event?
A. Inside Clark Air Field in Pampanga. As you enter the main gate, just follow the big road leading to the event grounds.

Q. If I want to avoid traffic at the main gate, is there any other way to enter Clark?
A. Yes you can enter thru SCTEX North, SCTEX South, Friendship Gate and SapangBato. For details, you can check out Clark’s website at http://www.visitclark.com/gettingtoclark.html

Q. Is there an entrance fee?
A. A P200 per person contribution to the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Foundation allows you to stay in the event site for the whole day. The foundation utilizes these funds for organizing the show and for sending less privileged high school graduates aspiring to take a career in aviation. 

Q. Where can I purchase entrance coupons?
A. You can purchase entrance coupons at the gate, at any SM Ticketnet outlet, or at ROX Bonifacio Global City and ROX Marquee Mall Clark.

Q. What time should I go?
A. It is advisable to be there early. 5am would be an ideal time for you to be at the main entrance so you can avoid the crowd and see the morning flights of the balloons.

Q. What day should I go?
A. Everyday is exciting for everyone. All the aerial activities happen every day so it doesn’t matter which day you go.

Q. Are the balloons flying everyday?
A. Yes. Weather permitting, the balloons will take of at around 6:30 everyday from Thursday to Sunday.

Q. Do they also fly in the afternoon?
A. Yes but only on Thursday and Friday. The balloons do a fly-in wherein they try to fly back into the main grounds. On Saturday and Sunday, we will do a NIGHT GLOW. This is when the balloons stay on the ground but will inflate beautifully together in the evening. It’s something one shouldn’t miss.

Q. Can I ride the balloon?
A. Yes but it’s on a first-come-first-serve basis. You will need to line up at the Information Booth early in the morning to register for a balloon ride. A contribution of $200 per person for fuel and pilot’s expenses is required. Children should be at least 10 years old to ride.

Q. What other activities can I see aside from the balloons?
A. If you check out the schedule of activities, it’s a whole day of fun flying. After the balloons take off, the other aerial exhibitions follow like skydiving, paragliding, aerobatics, ultralight flights, RC aircraft displays, professional kite exhibitions and more!

Q. Can I try the activities?
A. Yes, just register at the Information Booth for schedules and availabilities.

Q. Can I bring small children?
A. It’s an event for the whole family so bring your grandparents and your kids too! Children 2 years old and below can enter for free.

Q. Can I bring in food?
A. Yes but why hassle yourself. Inside are 50+ food concessionaires who serve delectable Pampanga dishes. Freshly cooked! All your favorite fast food chains will be there as well.

Q. Can we do a field trip for my school?
A. Absolutely! This is one of the most educational activities your school can enjoy. In the past years, schools come in busloads. You can also call us for a free educational tour inside the grounds.

Q. If my company is interested to sponsor the event, what are your requirements?
A. For interested sponsors, you can email us at info@philballoonfest.net or call 384-0085.

Q. What if I want to set-up a booth and sell my products?
A. For booth concessionaires, you can email us at flymarket@philballoonfest.net or call 384-0085.

---------------------------------------------------------------------PHOTOs From last 2 consecutive years:

2010 show with muy familia

me with my siblings Aica (left) and Jan (right)

early morning sunshine

One of 2010's best balloons

Turtle power!

2010 event also had this nice statue

My nephew, Andrei becoming a pilot

2011 crowd...brrr was that morning

whatta crowd!

my car-----how i wish

I had to had this shot moment

eating al fresco... nice one

My Ultraman Plane

See you this year guys!

Korean 'Fast' Food Take

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My recent blog post on Korean cuisine introduced the basic concepts of what to expect on a Korean meal and it also focused on ‘banchan’ or the side dishes popular to the Korean eating experience.  For its 2^nd installment, I will feature two of the best places for my self- assigned term:  Korean Fast Food.  It is through these establishments that Korean food was made known to the general masses with their less threatening ambience, menu selection and primarily due to the affordability of meals.  I am referring to 1^st Avenue in the main Mac Arthur Hi-way of Balibago, Angeles city and Mr. Ramyun which is now in almost every place I know in the metro.  Both of these establishments are accessible, almost always open during wee hours of the night (after work) and have relatively nice staff.

TOUR 1:  1^st Avenue

Located in Balibago Angeles City, this place is not hard to find.  It is strategically located along the famous Mac Arthur Hi-way and is next to popular spots like McDonalds Balibago and a new Seven Eleven store.  It’s famous orange signage invites hungry souls to visit it.  Do not, however, get discouraged by the seemingly narrow space because the venue actually stretches at the back where a more spacious area awaits the customers.  The ambience, I would say, borders on the informal, fast food slash drinking hub type.  The winning point for choosing this place is that I see a lot of Koreans frequent this place so it must be good.  In terms of menu selection, they have quite some on their list and if you do not know the Korean language, it would be a bit difficult trying to figure them out.  I wish they’d have more pictures instead or at least descriptions.  Price-wise, I’d say they have theirs grouped into two.  On one side are on the average to above average range with some of the items priced almost as if you were in a fine dining restaurant (must be the type of ingredients I say).  The other side, the one which would be more appealing to people are the more ‘popular’ Korean fares so even without photos, newbies would have it easier deciding.  I am talking about their Ramyun and Kimbab line-up.

Ram-what? Kim-say again? To level off our understanding and for the benefit of those who have not tried anything Korean, let me give a crash course description of what ramyun and kimbab are.  Ramyun is the Korean equivalent of the famous Japanese Ramen (or Lomi of the Southern Tagalog).  It is spicy, flavorful and usually with spring onions, eggs, chili and various toppings. Kimbab, on the other hand, is the Korean’s take of a sushi roll.

In 1^st Avenue, they have quite a number of ramyun options.  The most affordable is the Babae Ramyun (I still don’t know how it is pronounced) at about 55 pesos per bowl.  The other Ramyuns usually have various toppings that differentiate one from the other.  I have so far tried the cheese, dumpling and kimchi variations.  Good news also for the ladies as a typical order of ramyun can be SPLIT into two so no wastage there for the ‘not-so-hungry’ customers.

I haven’t gotten a chance to know who the owner is but when I do, I would ask for a more extensive feature especially of their menu options.

TOUR 2: Mr. Ramyun

 This player I would say started it all.  It became an instant hit with the younger residents of Angeles City with the establishments of mini-shops that offer Korean fares.  Not only are they restaurants, but they also are a ‘food shop’ where people can buy instant noodles (that’s a big smile for those who want to extend their Korean ramyun experience to the comforts of their homes) and some nice desserts (Fish Ice cream anyone?).  Below is a photo I got from their facebook account where customers can see (and decide) what type of food to take.  One of their advantages is that they already divided their offerings into options for a ‘full meal’ and the other to give just ‘half’ of the usual servings.                 

 Yes, that’s about three (or four counting Jiampong style) levels of ‘hotness’ you can choose from.  Or just simply advise the team when you order should you want yours mild (or extra hot).  And while we are on the topic of noodles, Mr. Ramyun also has their ‘Mr. U-Dong’ line-up.

A break from the usual kimbab offering (which they also have, by the way) is the Riceball.  It will remind some of the popular siopao but instead of a bun, it is rice that covers the stuffing.

One of the nicest location of Mr. Ramyun is the one located at the Angeles-famous Bale Harencia.  There are several ways of going there.  One is to ride the yellow Villa-Pampang bound jeepneys and the other is to ride the blue C.Point Hi-way PUJs.  It is strategically located next to Holy Angel University so this place is commonly frequented by students.  Below are some of the photos I have when I recently visited their place.  

 

 

 

 

 

NEWS FLASH! NEWS FLASH!

There is this new food kiosk near to where we go for the gym making 'Korean Egg Cakes'... at PhP 20 per piece.  Not so sure if you have these on other places too, but it's the first one of its kind that I saw here.  I'm going to do further research...