Flying Carnival 2020 – Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival

Every year the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival is held, but this time it was held in Carmona, Cavite instead of Clark, Pampanga. We were there in the first day (March 5, 2020) of the Flying Carnival 2020 to witness the event, so, here is our honest review about the event.

Disclaimer: We are not paid to cover the event, we are just there as a normal blogger.

Just like GMA and ABS-CBN we got a chance to feature the event.

Happy and Busy Travels, our colleagues from South Bloggers, and Unang Hirit’s Suzie and Juancho

Quick Links

• Few Facts About the Hot Air Balloon
• Opening
• Hot Air Balloon Inflation
• Helicopters
• Viewing Deck
• Carnival Area
• Ticket and Acivity Prices
• Happy and Busy’s Smileys

Few Facts About the Hot Air Balloon

1. They can’t fly when it’s raining.
2. If there are strong winds, some balloon will not fly because it will be dangerous.
3. Hot air balloons can fly because they use hot air. Hot air is lighter than cold air. So, the hot air balloon flies only during early in the morning or late in the afternoon to night.

Opening with the Paragliders

Paragliding was one of the activities that started the event. As early as 5:30 am, they started to roam around the sky. It was still dark so the lights on their back is a nice addition.

Hot Air Balloon Inflation

Sonic the Hedgehog Hot Air Balloon

One of the first balloon that was inflated is the Sonic Hedgehog. The balloon’s pilot is a Japanese 🙂 They participate in the event every year, so I always see them.

At first we were just there getting our pictures together with the balloon.

But the Japanese are so friendly, they let me inside their basket. They were so friendly and kind, they even put their hands on my head to avoid getting fire on my hair.

I also get to try to open the flame for the balloon. They thought me that I should just press the button.

Here is the super short video, I was afraid for my camera to get toasted haha, it was hot there.

They told me they are not flying due to the strong winds. I hope they can fly on the next day.

SM Hot Air Balloon

Well what can I say, “We got it all for you” hahaha, they really got it all, they even have this balloon.

They are one of the few hot air balloons who got to fly during that day.

Hotdog on Sticks Hot Air Balloon

Our timing is perfect on going near the balloon, because they are still inflating. They started inflating the balloon with the room temperature air. The pilot is also so kind to let us have our pictures with the balloon.

We had the chance to take our pictures in the opening of the balloon.

The wind is really strong.

Luckily, this balloon got a chance to fly during the first day.

Asian Air Safari Hot Air Balloon

Here is me… trying to scale how big the balloon is 😆 It is really huge!

Strong winds in the inflating area of Asian Air Safari made it hard for the pilot and his colleagues to inflate the balloon. I think this is also the reason that’s why they didn’t fly.

Manila Jockey Club’s Hot Air Balloon

ABS CBN, Okada, and IMG’s Hot Air Balloon

Busy and I walked further at the back of San Lazaro’s race track, and we found three more hot air balloons.

ABS-CBN’s balloon successfully took off 🙂

While Okada and IMG’s balloon deflated after a while.

So, we just enjoyed the balloons while they are on the ground.

Here is Busy… imitating the people preparing the balloons 😆

Helicopters

There are parked helicopters in the field.

We got a chance to take a picture with them.

These helicopters will be used in the sky jumping activity later.

Viewing Deck

There are two kinds of tickets and viewing deck in the event.

Economy Viewing Deck

The cheapest way to see the event is buying an economy ticket which costs Php 500. There are a lot of chairs but if there are a lot of people, I think you have to seat on the grass part.

First Class Viewing Deck

This is the first class viewing deck, this is located at the second floor. This is the better option but it costs Php 6,500 per person.

There is an buffet the whole day, and the area is air conditioned.

This is the best option, but it is a bit costly. When you buy this ticket, you also have the chance to see different seminars.

Carnival Area

Aside from the Hot Air Ballon viweing and ride, helicopter ride, watching birds, paragliding, and sky jumping, there is a lot of activities in the area.

Kite Flying

Kites are for sale in the area, you can buy one and use the strong winds to fly your kite.

Different Food Booths

Bringing of your own food is prohibited in the event, but we were not worried because there are a lot of food stalls and booths in the area.

Segway

Wall Climbing

Ticket and Activity Prices

Economy Ticket Php 500

• Access to the common viewing area, and the booths

First Class Ticket Php 6,500

• Access to the 2F, the first class viewing deck, air-conditioned.
• Breakfast and Lunch buffet
• Free seminars
• VIP entrance

Photography Pass Php 3,500

• Access to Balloon launch area and the booths.

Hot Air Balloon Ride Php 25,000

Tandem Sky Diving Php 20,000

Helicopter Discovery Flight Php 10,000

Tandem Paragliding Php 4,500

Happy and Busy’s Smileys for the Flying Carnival 2020

Most of the people are expecting that there will be tons of Hot Air Balloons flying around. Although the title of the even this Flying Carnival, it doesn’t specifically says that there will be Hot Air Balloon only, instead there other things/activities like paragliding, sky jumping, drones, birds, and a lot of everything that flies. Yes we enjoyed the event, but we wish next year there will be more balloons. There are also a lot of balloons who didn’t fly, it is okay and understandable because the winds are strong.

Location 

For us the location is better. We are just from Cavite so going to the location was very easy. We also like the location because there are lesser dust particles than the location in Clark.

Ambiance

The ambiance is good, but I think it will be better if there will be more hot air balloons in the next event.

Value for money 

I’ll give this a perfect 5 if there are more hot air balloon. But I am giving it a 4 because for just 500 you get to explore different activities. The Photographer’s pass is also good because you get to come close to the hot air balloon.

Fun

We had fun, we got to see the hot air balloons closely. Plus, we get to explore the activity area