My family celebrated the Chinese New Year, which happened to fall on Valentine’s Day, today in a very unique way.
Last night, we decided to embark on a road trip all the way from Manila to Angeles City, Pampanga — via Victory Liner. We decided to leave the car home, getting rid of the traffic and driving fatigue hassles along the way. The last bus that will pass through the Angeles Exit left Pasay City at 1700H of Saturday. Two hours after, we reached our destination: Marquee Mall, Angeles City.
The beautiful people of Marque Mall (an Ayala mall; our thank you’s go to Trisha Narciso) and Rogue Digital (another set of thank you’s go to Jojo Saddul) were kind enough to give my family passes (mine is an All Access Pass) to the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta at the Clark Airfield.
Since Thursday, I was trying to book for a hotel room, but since our stay falls on the eve of Valentine’s day, all of the hotels were already fully booked since Monday, 08 Feb 2010. Upon reaching Angeles City, the first thing that we did was to look for the nearest inn so that we may leave our stuff before having our dinner at the Marquee Mall. The tricycle driver we got was very efficient, he brought us to Miyabe Court, which is less than 500 meters away from the mall. After our dinner at Chowking Marquee Mall, we went to buy some snacks to be brought to the Clark Airfield the next morning at Metro Supermarket, which is inside the mall.
Hours later, at around 0430H, all of us three were already up and ready to go. Good thing that we were advised that Marquee Mall provided a FREE shuttle service from the mall to the Hot Air Balloon grounds. I tell you, it was the first time I saw traffic that heavy at past 0500H — worst than EDSA rush hour. Another good thing was that the driver of the shuttle van was clever enough to use another route to the Clark Airfield. We reached the gate of the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta grounds just minutes past 0530H.
Click here for our pictures during the 15th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.
Just before lunch, the shuttle van brought us back to the Marquee Mall. We dined at Ikabud Restaurant — their specialty was, of course, Kapampangan cuisine. You must try their “salpicado” (beef in oyster sauce). About the mall, it’s like being in Glorietta/Greenbelt while you’re at Angeles City, Pampanga.
Two hours later, the bus heading to Pasay left Angeles City and we were back to Manila just in time to hear the 1800H mass.
Truly, one Valentine weekend that I will never forget — the very first time we celebrated Valentine’s day as a family.