Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta X

10 February

So off we went to Omni from Cavite with Joey and Nico. Nico had to absent from school para lang makasama sa amin. He had been waiting for this chance to go to Omni. He missed last year's because he had a swim meet to compete in.

We took a bus to SM Megamall and took the Air Asia shuttle bus so we can get down exactly at the Omni gate. Both of them were very excited, my son has been to Omni two times already but it's Nico's first time.

My son and nephew just got to have their photo taken in front of a PAF Bell 205A-1 helicopter of the 505th Air Rescue Group - Angel 321.





Our favourite Cessna, RP-C1513. This plane is owned by Tonet Rivera We jokingly call it the Cebu Pacific Cessna because its colour scheme seemed similar but as Tonet would point out, his colours are of a different shade.




The PAF had an SIAI Marchetti S.211 of the 7th Tactical Fighter Squadron on static display, still wearing 80's camouflage paint scheme and Red Aces markings. The current colour for PAF fighter aircraft is air superiority gray. Note the Caribou in the background.

Another PAF S.211 did touch and go's at Clark.








We arrived around 1330, just in time for the balloon bursting competition.

We saw the participants take off as the balloon release crew got ready amidfield.








The PN BN-2 Islander misses it's first balloon bursting attempt.








The rest were likewise not quite as lucky.








All the while, the PAF S211 circles above.








Didn't take much photos though of this event as the kids were dragging me towards the PA AFV static displays.

They had so much fun scrambling in and out of the tanks, playing with sight of the howitzer and the static vehicle display.

There were scale models also on display inside the hangar.

VF-103 Grumman F-14D Tomcat

IAF Boeing F-15I Ra'am

VF-84 McDonnell-Douglas F-4 Phantom II

PAF 7th TFS Chance-Vought F-8P Crusader

PAF 5th TFS Northrop F-5A Freedom Fighter

PAF 7th TFS Chance-Vought F-8P Crusader & 5th TFS North American F-86F Sabre

Must be from our friends from IPMS-Philippines.

The sunlight filtering through the clouds (silahis) that day was just spectacular, I just had to take these photos.

Bill Wright's Vans RV4 doing the aerobatics that afternoon in lieu of Maynards routine.

The para-thingie's team about to commence their demo.

And off they went... While the demo was going on, the Whiskas balloon was being prepped.

I had a chance to photograph the Navy BO-105 on the flightline, thanks to the Supremo!

This was the last balloon that took off that day.

We linked up later in the evening with Peter, Eric, McTan, Paolo, Rajiv, & Aish.

McTan and son

There was an unexpected guest at Joy's birthday party. Pete must have been guilty of something, he tried to quickly leave but Joy was quick to point him out.

11 February

We were up dark and early the next morning to see the balloons off.

We were able to get onto the field to see the balloons set up and test their burners.

It wasn't that early though, soon the sun started to rise.

That's Mt. Arayat being silhoutted by the sunrise.

The balloonists started unpacking and setting up their balloons.

One by one the balloons started to rise... ...and ascend into the morning sky...

This has been my son's favourite

The Whiskas balloon was in the air already, I don't think this doggie will be able to the catch the kitty today.

Balloons of all shapes and colours


The weather's going to be great that day!

Amidst the festivities, the Air Boss was all-business

This was the Pacific Missionary Aviation Helio Courier that did the STOL demos.







After a quick breakfast, we had to leave for home but not before taking these photos of the PNP AS-350.

Would have loved to stay another day but we have to attend to other commitments.

Til next year!