FPV Drone Racing Joins 26th Philippine Hot Air Balloon Fiesta

Prepare for high-velocity thrills at the FAI Sanctioned FPV Drone Race!" the event Instagram teased as the 26th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta unfolded at New Clark City, Capas, Tarlac from February 13 to 15. Philballoonfest formally listed an "FPV Drone Racing Competition" in its Activities & Experiences schedule, framing the contest as "a test of skill, speed, and courage, FPV racing is the ultimate battle between man, machine, and gravity."

Organizers staged FPV heats alongside the festival's marquee balloon fly-outs, with The Manila Times noting that "Balloons are scheduled to lift off as early as 6:30 a.m. each day, forming the centerpiece of the festival." The festival program paired early-morning balloon launches with high-tech night programming, the Philballoonfest site billed a "Drone Light Show Exhibition" where "hundreds of luminous drones form across the night sky with breathtaking precision painting pictures and writing messages", creating a full-day competitive and demonstration window for FPV pilots and spectators.

The inclusion of FPV at PIHABF was deliberate. An original report said the event "carried a deliberate message for the regional drone community: integrate FPV drone racing into broader aviation festivals to grow participation and public interest." That strategic positioning was reflected in social posts and military participation: the 2nd Infantry "Jungle Fighter" Division, Philippine Army, announced on Facebook that "Pilots of the Jungle Fighter FPV Drone Racing Team represented the Command in the 2026 Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta Drone Racing World Cup held at New Clark City, Tarlac from Friday to Sunday, February 13-15." The 2nd Infantry added that "The participation highlights the skill, precision, and competitive spirit of the Jungle Fighters, not only in ground operations, but also in emerging technology and drone racing arenas." The unit post recorded all reactions: 153; 1 comment; 23 shares, and included the hashtags #𝟮𝗜𝗗𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲𝗙𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗲𝗿 #𝗕𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝗧𝗮𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆𝗣𝗮𝗧𝗿𝗶𝗼𝘁𝗶𝘀𝗺 #𝗝𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗙𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗗𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱.

PIHABF stacked aerial variety for pilots and fans. The Manila Times highlighted featured balloons such as "Te Amo" from the USA and first-time Philippine appearances by special-shaped balloons Finley the Turtle (UK), Tuca the Toucan (Brazil), Red Macaw (Brazil), Blue Macaw (Brazil) and Walrus (Brazil). Philballoonfest also scheduled paramotor exhibitions, paragliding accuracy competition, ultralight fly-bys, RC models, kite flying demonstrations, a Kyxz hoverbike presentation and a Drone Soccer School Competition, expanding the operational contexts FPV pilots encountered.

Practical details for attendees and competitors were clear: The Manila Times described PIHABF as "the country's longest-running hot air balloon event" and listed ticketing through HelixPay, SM Tickets, Klook and on-site sales. Evening programming included a Night Glow and a Valentine's dinner on February 14 priced at P1,800 per person.

What the supplied material did not include were race results or individual pilot names. Philballoonfest and social excerpts confirm FPV presence and even an Instagram claim of FAI sanctioning, while the 2nd Infantry labeled the contest a "Drone Racing World Cup." Organizers listed FPV racing on the official schedule, and the combined festival programming on February 13–15 offered a visible test case for the original report's call to "integrate FPV drone racing into broader aviation festivals to grow participation and public interest.