With the aim of bringing together aviation enthusiasts from all ages and walks, the Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta (PIHABF) has once again lit the skies with love and excitement in “a weekend of everything that flies” last February 13-15, 2026 in the New Clark City Stadium.
From hot air balloon releases, to the spectacle of drone shows and other flying acrobats, a career talk in the aviation industry was one of the highlights of the celebration.
The Philippine Air Traffic Controllers Association (PATCA), through the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines (CAAP) was honored to send Air Traffic Management Officers (ATMOs) to this event as career talk speakers who discussed about the Air Traffic Management Center, the Air Traffic Service, and the functions of air traffic controllers in the Philippines.
CAAP ATMOs Mr. Alfred Martin Hermosilla, Ms. Cecile Hurtado, and Mr. Neil Joaz Lagundino enthusiastically shared their experiences and expertise about the career they have chosen, along with the goal of widening the perspective of the audience composed of new generation of aviation professionals, students, budding professionals across different practices in the aviation and related fields, and aviation enthusiasts with their family members, about the roles of air traffic controllers in ensuring the safety of the flying public.
The discussion also included how CAAP and PATCA work together with various aviation stakeholders to promote a safer airspace through efficient handling and management of air traffic.
Ultimately, the purpose of the talk, much more than raising awareness on this profession, was to encourage and ignite their interest on the various career opportunities and platforms to venture in the aviation industry, particularly in air traffic service.
The CAAP and PATCA are both hopeful that through such avenues, the public will have a better and wider grasp of the people working behind the scenes to make sure that air transportation remains the safest mode of transportation in perpetuity.
Further details about the application and recruitment schedule for the aspiring new generation of aviation professionals are periodically posted through the institution’s website, www.caap.gov.ph or through the association’s website, www.patca.ph.
