HOW TO COMMUTE FROM CUBAO TO CLARK, PAMPANGA HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

Three-ride connection to get to the Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival

Visitors for the Hot Air Balloon Festival from Manila can 

1. Take the commuter bus from Avenida/Pasay/Cubao to get to Dau bus terminal in Angeles City, Pampanga. You could also ride the buses bound for Baguio 24 hrs a day.
2. From Dau, jeepneys will take them to the main gate of Clark where they can alight and 
3. Board a jeepney that will take them from the main gate to the Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival site. 

 

Normally, this three-ride connection should bring visitors into Clark from the bus terminal in Pasay, Cubao or Manila in a little over two hours. Information on costs and schedules can be found on the  list below.

PROS Public bus fare is cheap.

CONS In previous events, visitors experienced problems catching the connecting rides after the bus arrived in Angeles city, especially during Saturday and Sunday of the Hot Air Balloon Festival weekend. These problems are no comparison to the difficulties in getting a jeepney ride leaving the Clark Hot Air Balloon Fiesta site to get back to the bus terminal in Angeles City for the ride back to Manila. Many visitors were stranded for literally hours waiting to get out of Clark. 

Unsolicited advice for the 2012 Clark Hot Air Balloon Festival visitors, especially families with children planning to travel by bus to Angeles City, Pampanga please plan your trips carefully.

Main bus terminals are at Pasay and Cubao where you will find  

• Victory Liner From Caloocan P126 From Cubao 131 From Pasay 141 Aircon 24 hours
• BLTB now called DLTB
• Five Star buses 
• Partas, Cubao (halfway up E.D.S.A. heading north)-
• Dominion- Aircon bus P 116
• Dagupan 
• Partas, Monumento (north, near expressway) for Victory Liner, and  
• Philippine Rabbit Avenida Terminal. 24 hours from 12 midnight. They have hourly departures from their Avenida Terminal just by Doroteo Jose LRT Station- P 130 aircon
• Philtranco- we use their service whenever we go to Diosdado Macapagal International Airport e-mail: info.philtranco@gmail.com, www.philtranco.com.ph (63) 2 851.8078 to 79 Pick-up Point: Pasay, Megamall A
  

Jeepneys from Dau cost P10 per person to Fields Avenue

Tricycle cost is between P50 - 70.


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BUS LINES IN METRO MANILA

Bus Lines in Manila
Aladdin Transit Corporation
1310 Espana Corner Galicia Streets, Sampaloc, Manila
Cagayan. Tel: + 63 2 743 8523; + 63 2 781 9168

Autobus Transport Systems Incorporated
Dimasalang Street Corner Laong Laan Street, Sampaloc, Manila
Baguio, Laoag, Cagayan Valley, Dagupan, Ifugao, Kalinga & Isabela.
Tel: +63 2 735 8098

Baliwag Transit Incorporated
199 Rizal Avenue Extension, Cnr 2nd Avenue, Caloocan City, Manila
33 E.D.S.A., Cubao, Quezon City.
Baliwag, San Jose del Monte, Aparri & TuguegaraoTel: + 63 2 912 3343, + 63 2 912 3349, + 63 2 912 3361

BLTB (Batangas Laguna Tayabas Bus Company)
E.D.S.A., Pasay City
Calamba, Nasugbu, Lucena, Legaspi, Naga, Sorsogon , Leyte & Samar.Tel: + 63 2 833 5508, + 63 2 833 5501, + 63 2 913 1525

Dagupan Bus Lines

E.D.S.A., Cubao, Quezon City

Dagupan, Alaminos, Lingayen, Baguio City & Benguet.

Tel: + 63 2 727 2330, + 63 2 929 6123, + 63 2 928 5639, + 63 2 727 2330, + 63 2 727 2287

Dangwa Tranco Company Incorporated
1600 Dimasalang Street, Sampaloc, Manila.
832 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao.
Benguet & Ifugao
Tel: + 63 2 731 2879, + 63 2 410 1991

Dominion Transit (beside Dagupan Bus)
E.D.S.A., Cubao, Quezon City
Abra, La Union & Ilocos Sur. From 12:30 a.m every hour
Tel: + 63 2 741 4146 ( Shipping),  + 63 2 727-2350,  +63 2 727-2334

Farinas Transit Company
Laong Laan cnr and M dela Fuente Streets, Sampaloc, Manila
Vigan & Laoag.
Tel: + 63 2 731 4507, + 63 2 731 4375, + 63 2 743 8580

Five Star Bus Company
Aurora Boulevard, Pasay City, Manila
Dagupan, Bolinao & Cabanatuan.
Tel: +63 2 833 8339, +63 2 833 3009

Franco Frederico Lines
Sampaloc Manila.
Ilocos Sur & Ilocos Norte.
Tel: +63 2 731 4473, +63 2 731 2584

Inland Trailways Incorporated
E.D.S.A., Pasay City, Manila.
Legaspi, Lucena City, Naga City, Sorsogon.
Tel: +63 2 833 6280.

JAM Transit
Taft Avenue, Pasay City, Manila.
New York Street, Cubao, Quezon City.
Batangas, Quezon & Laguna.
Tel: +63 2 541 4409, +63 2 924 7712, +63 2 831 4390.

JB Line Bicol Express
Aurora Boulevard, Pasay City.
Legaspi, Lucena City & Naga City.
Tel: +63 2 833 2949.

Maria de Leon Transit
Corner Gelinos and Dapitan Streets, Sampaloc, Manila.
San Fernando La Union, Vigan & Laoag.
Tel: +63 2 731 4907.

Partas Transportation Company Incorporated
816 Aurora Boulevard, Cubao, Quezon City.
Baguio, Benguet, Bangued, Laoag, San Fernando La Union,& Vigan.
Tel: +63 2 725 7303, +63 2 724 9820.

Philippine Rabbit Business Lines Incorporated
819 C Palanca Sr. Street, Manila.
E.D.S.A., Quezon City.
Angeles City, Dau, Mabalacat, Samban, Capas, San Miguel, Tarlac, Victoria, Gerona, Paniqui, San Manuel, Carmen, Villasis, Urdaneta, Sison, Saitan, Rosario, Sto, Tomas, Agao, Taloy Sur, Taluy Norte, Baguio, San Fernando-La Union, Bacnotan, Sta. Cruz, Sta. Lucia, Narvacan, Abra Junction, Longog, Vigan, Banqued, Cabugao, Paoay, Batac, Laoag
Tel: +63 2 734 9836, +63 2 734 9838

Philtranco Service Enterprises Incorporated
E.D.S.A., Pasay City.
Daet, Legaspi, Lucena, Naga. Sorsogon, Samar, Leyte, & Davao City.
Tel: +63 2 832 2456, +63 2 833 1369, +63 2 833 5061

Tritran Transit Incorporated
E.D.S.A., Quezon City, Manila
Batangas and Quezon provinces.
Tel: +63 2 925 1758, +63 2 925 1759

Victory Liner Incorporated
E,D.S.A., Pasay City, Manila
713 Rizal Avenue Extension, Caloocan City
E.D.S.A., Cubao
Olongapo, Iba, Tarlac, San Fernando La Unio, Baguio City, Benguet, Alaminos, Bolinao and Dagupan, Tuguegarao & Aparri.
Tel: +63 2 833 0293, +63 2 833 5019, +63 2 361 4665, +63 2 741 1439, +63 2 361 1506, +63 2 361 1510

Viron Transportation Company Incorporated
Cnr 1209 Blumentritt and Dapitan Streets, Sampaloc, Manila.
E.D.S.A., Cubao, Quezon City
Tarlac, Dagupan, San Fernando La Union, & Vigan.
Tel: +63 2 741 6588

WHAT TO BRING TO THE 2012 HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL

What to bring to the 17th Hot Air Balloon Festival:

 

Sunglasses

 Sunblock

 Wide-brimmed hat

 Umbrella

Money for food and souvenirs

 Comfortable footwear

 Binoculars

 Hand sanitizer (for after using the portable toilets)

Drinking Water 

 Fruits

Please come early – the balloons lift off at 5:30 a.m. 

• Consider going to Clark the night before and sleeping over in a hotel. It's worth it to see the flag jump and balloon launch!

• Avoid heatstroke! Water and sports drinks are available for reasonable prices from the many concessionaires of the 2012 Hot Air Balloon Festival. Remember, if you feel thirsty, it means you're already mildly dehydrated. 

• Don't touch the airplanes! If you break it, you buy it.Stay away from propellers, rotors, and jet engines. Stay out of restricted areas – the US Air Force and AFP are on patrol, and Clark is our most important air base. Obey the rules and report any suspicious activity to the friendly security staff.

Stuff you can do: 

• Watch the all-day aircraft shows
• Buy and fly a kite
• Eat big at the food stalls 
• Grab all sorts of cool souvenirs
• Look around the various displays
• Meet and hang out with real live pilots and ground crew

Most importantly: have fun! :-)

17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Festival 2012 FAQs

 

Q. Where is the exact event site?

A. Air Force City, Clark Freeport, Angeles City in Pampanga.

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 balloon flights.

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 there are 50+ food concessionaires who serve delectable dishes -- freshly cooked!

 

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. Interested sponsors, may 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.

Air Phil Express Sale Period from February 7 to 9, 2012

Air Phil Express

Sale Period: February 7 to 9, 2012

Travel Period: February 15 to March 30, 2012

* 10 Kilos FREE Baggage Allowance

Details

• Quoted fares for Domestic and International Flights are for one-way only.
• Fares are with 15 kilos Free Baggage Allowance.
• Philippine Goverment Tax not included.
• Fare is not guaranteed until the final purchase.
• Priced from Origin to Destination or Vice Versa.
• Subject to rules and conditions, please review carefully.

Domestic Destinations	One-Way Fare
Manila to Bacolod, Calbayog, Catarman, Caticlan*, Cebu, Iloilo, Kalibo, Tacloban or Tagbilaran	P488
Zamboanga to Davao, Jolo or Tawi-Tawi	P488
Manila to Butuan, Cagayan De Oro, Cotabato, Davao, General Santos, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Surigao or Zamboanga	P888

Click here to book AirPhil Express now!

Cebu Pacific Sale Period: February 6 to 9, 2012

Cebu Pacific

Sale Period: February 6 to 9, 2012

Details

• Quoted fares are one-way and have limited availability.
• Fare are exclusive of government fees and taxes.
• International fares are exclusive of fuel surcharges.
• Fares are non-refundable.
• Flight changes must be made more than 24 hours before scheduled time of departure.
• CAB approved terms and conditions of carriage apply.

Domestic Flights	Go Lite Fare
ALL Domestic Destinations Bacolod, Boracay (Caticlan), Busuanga (Coron), Butuan, Calbayog, Cagayan de Oro, Catarman, Cauayan (Isabela), Cebu, Clark, Cotabato, Davao, Dipolog, Dumaguete, General Santos, Iloilo, Kalibo, Legaspi, Laoag, Manila, Naga, Ozamiz, Pagadian, Puerto Princesa, Roxas, San Jose (Mindoro), Siargao, Surigao, Tacloban, Tagbilaran, Tuguegarao, Virac and Zamboanga	50% OFF
Travel Period: March 1 to May 31, 2012
International Flights	Go Lite Fare
ALL International Destinations Brunei, China (Beijing), China (Guangzhou), China (Shanghai), China (Xiamen), Hong Kong, Korea (Busan), Korea (Incheon), Macau, Malaysia (Kota Kinabalu), Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur), Singapore, Taiwan (Taipei), Thailand (Bangkok), Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh & Hanoi), Indonesia (Jakarta), Japan (Osaka) and Cambodia (Siem Reap)	50% OFF
Travel Period: March 1 to May 31, 2012

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Krispy Kreme Celebrates Valentine with Heart-Shaped Doughnuts

Krispy Kreme Celebrates Valentine with Heart-Shaped Doughnuts

Your favorite Krispy Kreme doughnuts are lovingly shaped into hearts this season. Celebrate love and share the sweetness of Valentine with a box of your favorite doughnut and coffee brand.

Enjoy Chocolate Ice Sprinkles, Peanut Butter with Choco Drizzle, Cookies & Cream, Snickers Classic, Powdered Strawberry, Chocolate Ice Custard, Chocolate Ice Kreme Filled, Caramel Kreme Crunch, New York Cheese Cake, Kitkat, and Choco Mania Doughnuts, as they come in cute, romantic heart shapes.

 

Krispy Kreme’s heart-shaped Valentine doughnuts are only available from February 6 to 14, 2012, so hurry! Grab a box now and revel in the romance with Krispy Kreme this Heart Month! 

 

Serving world-class doughnuts and coffees since 1937, Krispy Kreme made its way to the hearts of Filipinos when it opened its first branch in the country back in 2006. Today, Krispy Kreme has outlets on 27 different locations nationwide, with hotlight stores in SM Mall of Asia, Greenhills Shopping Center, Festival Supermall Alabang, Bonifacio High Street and Cebu IT Park. Dubbed as the doughnut theater, Krispy Kreme’s hotlight stores serve everyone hot, freshly-made doughnuts straight from the fryer. To get more information and updates about the brand and its products, you may become a friend of Krispy Kreme by visiting www.krispykreme.com.ph or by liking Chloe at www.facebook.com/ChloeKrispyKremePH.

BUFFET DINNER PLUS DAILY CULTURAL PRESENTATION AT BARBARA'S RESTAURANT IN INTRAMUROS, MANILA

 

I was wowed over by the beautiful and well kept facade of BARBARA'S RESTAURANT located in Intramuros, Manila, Philippines. 

We walked along the historic streets of the walled city to reach Barbara's Restaurant located along the historical General Luna street in Intramuros. The restaurant evokes the charm and beauty of a bygone era. It is as if we were transported back in time to the Spanish Era in the 16th century.

Barbara's Restaurant is just in front of Saint Agustin church and is inside the grandiose Plaza San Luis Complex just beside White Knight Hotel.

We went up the intricately-carved staircase and were greeted by magnificent silver-gilted mirrors.

When we entered Barbara's restaurant it is as if we stepped into a place reminiscent of old world elegance. We then walked towards the main hall and get seated at the round dining table to experience the luxury of fine dining at its finest.

Barbara's Restaurant table settings are very well organized and coordinated. Barbara's Restaurant use tablecloths as part of their table setting complete with folded napkins. I personally considered it much more enjoyable to eat my food on a pleasantly arranged table and Barbara's Restaurant did not fail me. The tableware for this buffet dinner includes soup spoon, entree fork and spoon for dessert (variations exist), side plate, side knife, wine glasses, napkin and a beautiful flower center piece.

Barbara's Restaurant has high ceilings and crystal chandeliers the setting is a world-apart from your modern-day shopping mall restaurant. 

Barbara's Restaurant with a beautiful flower center piece and candle-lit table set.

Barbara's Restaurant offers buffet lunches and dinners as well as A la Carte choices. Buffet is only 500 pesos. Not bad for a buffet dinner with one-hour cultural presentation from the in-house student dance group who, I should mention, are very good dancers.

 Yummy food yum yum!

 

Roasted Chicken two thumbs up!

The salads are fresh and delicious.

Barbara's restaurant lumpia is to die for! I love it!

Barbara Restaurant's Linguini Alessandro pasta is delicious.

The delicious mix vegetables.

 

Pastel de Lengua

  

Salad mixed with lettuce, cucumber and tomatoes with shrimp paste or vinaigrette for dressing

We enjoyed our dinner from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. while taking in the grace and beauty of traditional Filipino Dance, music and very cozy and warm ambiance @ Barbara's restaurant. The young performers are Barbara's Restaurant scholars. They made the audience cheerful with their exciting fiesta dances like sayaw sa bangko, binasuan, pastores, and the perennial favorite, the tinikling! They even invited some volunteers from the audience to dance w/ them. It was fun to see some volunteers tripping in the tinikling dance. It really added to the fun. Making it a really fantastic night for everyone.

The audience were in good spirits. This quintet serenaded us while we were eating dinner.

We were entertained by this Traditional Filipino Dancers

The crowd's favorite is the Tinikling dance

We ought to introduce to another generation the joys of Philippine folk dance.

Our folk dances are colorful, vivid and vibrant - alive and exciting, charming and inviting.

Amazing native dance entertainment

Barbara's Restaurant staff were all very accommodating and they truly provide a very good service. There was no discrimination at all between the foreigners or Filipino guests. The food were very palatable. The servers always refill the buffet trays. For dessert we ate squares of Brazo de Mercedes, brownies topped with cherry, Café Gelatin con Sago served in wine glasses and banana fritters. For me, the banana with sesame seeds dessert is the best!

Everybody love the cultural dance. It was superb! There's no guest in that room that night who is not watching the cultural presentation. Kudos to the dancers especially to the guy who is shouting so loud. He made it more fun @ Barbara's restaurant that night. The Spanish colonial style architecture with live music and cultural presentation every evening and the neighborhood of Intramuros is a little oasis in chaotic Manila. We enjoyed the show tremendously. Barbara's Restaurant is worth a try. See and experience Barbara's Restaurant classic elegance for yourself.

Barbara's Restaurant
Gen. Luna St. (just beside San Agustin Church)
Plaza San Luis Complex
Intramuros, Manila

(+632) 527-3893
(+632) 527-4086  

 

BARBARA'S RESTAURANT
Facebook: Barabara's Restaurant
Email: barbarasrestaurant@yahoo.com
Mobile No.: +63 917 838 7545

This is a Food Write-up entry to the Intramuros Bloggers Challenge 2012 organized by IntramurosManila.Asia. 

IBC 2012 is fully supported by the Intramuros Administration, Barbara's Restaurant, Celdran Tours, Mabuhay Guides, Pilgrimage Pilipinas, Castillan Tours, Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation, Inc., DigiEntrepreneur, DigitalFilipino, Third Team Media, Payless Pancit Shanghai, Ruthilicious, Ruthilicious Fanpage and GadgetGambit.com.