2. Kalesa
A kalesa or calesa is a two-wheeled horse-
drawn carriage used in the Philippines. It is commonly
vividly painted and decorated. It was a primary mode of
public and private transportation during the Spanish
colonial era of the Philippines, though in modern times,
they largely only survive as tourist attractions.
3. History
Kelesa (from the Spanish word calesa) were
first introduced to the Philippines in the
1700s by the Spanish. It became the major
public and private form of transport in the
Philippines up until the early 20th
century.[1] It was also used to transport
goods. They were manufactured by
traditional workshops known as karoserya
4. A Kalesa is a horse-drawn carriage used to be one of the main modes of transportation in
the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period. Introduced in the 18th century, the
Kalesa are mainly used by the Illustrator, senior officials and nobles, are the only ones
who can afford to ride the cars at the time. The Kalesa is made of a wooden cart with a
roof, usually made of steel. There are two round wheels, one on each side. Two rows of
seats with seating for four passengers. Kalesa Today only seat two people. The driver's
seat in front of the cart near the horse. A cube of steel or plastic is placed near the back of
the horse to pick up their droppings. Today, Kalesa are rare in the city. Manila's streets are
already congested with jeepneys, cars and buses, making them dangerous for horses.
Those who want to see or walk Kales have to go to Binondo and Intramuros, where many
of them are still around and taking passengers. For those planning a tour around
Intramuros, Kalesa ride is a must. The experience of going through the historic walled city
would be complete without addressing one of the cars. It is also advisable, as Intramuros is
an area large enough to travel on foot. For an average rate of Php 250, a Kalesa will take
you around the area, which usually ends in the Cathedral of Manila. You will see sights
such as St. Augustine Church, Museum and Fort Santiago. Kalesa are still common in
some provincial areas, such as Cagayan, Cebu and the city of Tuguegarao.
5. What is the oldest transportation in the
Philippines?Calesa is the oldest mode of
transport that still exists today. It was
introduced to the islands of the Philippines
in the 18th century by Spanish colonizers
and was initially reserved for noble and
high-ranking officials.
6. Who made kalesa?Kalesa were first introduced to the
Philippines in the 1700s by the Spanish. It became the
major public and private form of transport in the
Philippines up until the early 20th century. It was also used
to transport goods. They were manufactured by traditional
workshops known as karoserya.
7. Kalesa tours around Intramuros
are a must!
My first introduction to the Kalesa was at the old stone
walled city of Intramuros in Manila.
The kalesa is basically a horse drawn carriage, it was
introduced to the Philippines in the 18th Century by the
Spanish. It was the upper classes mode of transport, only the
nobles and officials could afford the luxury of the Kalesa
.
8. Things have changed a little bit now!
You can find the calesa in most of the major
tourist traps. The most popular area
is Intramuros and you can also see them
around Chainatown. In the Ilocos Region the
province of Ilocos Sur is also famous for the
kalesa, particularly around the capital Vigan. It
is well worth a trip in the kalesa as you
navigate the cobblestone roads that interlock
Vigan.
To the south of the Philippines the calesa can
also be found in Cebu.
9. Intramuros Kalesa
Intramuros is a large area to cover on foot. There is an
awful lot to see, from Fort Santiago to Manila
Cathedral, with lots in between.
One way of covering the area whilst giving your legs a
bit of a rest, is by kalesa.
Most of the kalesas can be found outside Manila
Cathedral where they will take you for a trip around
Intramuros. Now there has been some adverse
comments about being ripped off by kalesa drivers who
charge way over what they originally quoted, or you
were never quoted in the first place and then got hit
with a gigantic sum of money at the end.
10. Intramuros Kalesa
This is important so pay attention. The going rate for a kalesa trip is P250. For
that, you will get a drive around Intramuros and finish back at the Manila
Cathedral. It will not include stops along the way, you will not be told this. I
repeat you will not be told this. You can have as many stops or as few or none
at all. I liked the fact that the kalesa would stop and let me wonder around.
Each to there own. Depending on how many stops you have and how long you
stop for, will depend on the final price. So if you have lots of stops and take a
couple of hours, expect to be charged more than the original P250. You will
need to negotiate with the kalesa before you jump in. Make sure everyone
understands what you are getting for the price that has been quoted. If you
change your mind and want to stop somewhere additional ask at the time how
much extra. Don't be afraid to ask.
Right back to the kalesa trip.
11. The Kalesa
The Philippine Kalesa was designed to carry two people and some baggage, although I'm sure
more than two would be carried quite easily, specially when I have seen 7 Filipinos on a
motorbike! The carriage has small sides and a roof to keep the glaring sun from burning you, two
huge wheels hold the carriage up, which are then connected to a scrawny horse by two poles
strapped either side of the horse.
The carriage is brightly coloured and it looks as though a lot of care has been taken in it's upkeep.
A whip is kept in a pipe to the cocheros right hand side and sticks straight up in the air like a radio
antenna.
One of the more amusing things with the whip, is the noise it makes as it is pulled from the pipe
that holds it. It makes a rasping sound, which the horse hears and immediately trots faster.
Obviously the horse associates the noise of the whip coming from the pipe as a chance to speed up
before he gets whipped on the but! I'm happy to say that the horse was not whipped at any stage.
12. The Kalesa
Now if you do come
to Intramuros make sure you allow
enough time for a kalesa tour and
don't forget to negotiate the price of
the trip before you step foot on the
kalesa, otherwise you may be in for a
unpleasant end to your kalesa trip!
13. The Kalesa is a horse-drawn box-like carriage on two wheels. It has been around
since the Spanish times in the Philippines, providing taxi service from one end of
town to another, and from one town to another. The horse that pulled the kalesa went
through several stages of training under its kuchero or driver. The Ilocos Norte
kalesa differs from its cousins in other parts of the country in that two pairs of
passengers sit opposite each other, face to face. Wealthy Ilocanos maintained their
own elaborately designed kalesas. These were parked in the ground floor of the
brick house, or in a carriage shed. The horse had its space in the caballeriza or
stable. As a bridal car, the kalesa is transformed into a fairy-tale Cinderella carriage.
Hand-crocheted curtains drape the windows, while flowers and ribbons adorn the
rest of the body. At the head, a kuchero, dressed in his finest directs a well-groomed
white horse festively attired in glittering livery. Other vehicles, from the pedicab to
the Mercedes have come and gone, but the kalesa has survived their competition.
Town fiestas would not be complete without the parade of kalesas in full regalia.
Today, with tourism on the rise, visitors enjoy cruising through town in these horse-
drawn carriages. Today when you hear the rhythmic clip-clop of a horse and the
resonant ding-dong of a bell, you can be sure a kalesa is coming. Long live the
Kalesa!
