Local hotels support Hot Air Balloon Fiesta 2015

Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (Facebook photo)

CLARK FREEPORT ZONE, Pampanga  –Operators of hotels in Angeles City have expressed support to the staging of the 19th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF).

Roy del Rosario, manager of Oasis Hotel, said the annual event has given benefits to the entire Angeles City and the surrounding area, making it the city and the province’s signature event.

“It is like our own version of Cebu’s Sinulog, Ilo-ilo’s Ati-atihan and Quezon’s Pahiyas,” he said.

Del Rosario said the annual event played a crucial role in their businesses.

“I strongly supported the PIHABF for the past 18 years or so and this is simply because I believed in its potentials in helping our local economy grow,” he said.

Likewise, Clark Development Corp. (CDC) president and chief executive officer Arthur P. Tugade share the same advocacy with that of del Rosario.

Tugade appealed not to work in ‘exclusions and exclusivity’ amid challenges and some reported efforts by some groups to stop the event.

“Let us sit down together to make Pampanga (or even the entire country) the hot air balloon capital of the world,” he said.

He also welcomed those who would like to venture in a similar “ballooning” activity to equal if not exceed the international flavor, world class handling and deep fun generated by the hot air balloon fiesta.

The hot air balloon fiesta is an opportunity to share and exchange cultures and traditions with visiting pilots from all over the world.

They are given a taste of Filipino hospitality and the fiesta spirit.

The event organizers hope that aviators’ beautiful experience becomes the best advertising for Philippine tourism.

‘A Weekend of Everything that Flies’ is scheduled on Feb. 12-15 here in Clark Freeport Zone featuring the 2015 Aviator of the Year awards and other sports aviation events.