Calesa center stage in Pamulinawen fest

By Freddie G. Lazaro

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte – At least 40 well-dressed calesa (horse-drawn carriages) decorated with indigenous and symbolic designs drew thousands of spectators during a parade along the streets of Laoag City Feb. 8.

The parade was one of the highlights of the month-long celebration of the 19th Pamulinawen Festival that started on Feb. 1.

Lawyer Francis Tolentino, chairman of the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority, graced the parade along with Laoag City Mayor Chevylle Fariñas and Vice Mayor Michael Fariñas.

Mayor Fariñas said the parade is part of the continuing promotion of the calesa. Once a popular mode of transportation, the calesa is now rarely seen on streets, most often used as rides for tourists in the big cities. Yet it remains part of the Ilocano culture, and highlighting it was in line with this year’s Pamulinawen Festival theme: “Timeless.”

The calesa was introduced during the Spanish colonial period. Aside from Laoag City, the calesa is also still used and seen in Vigan City in Ilocos Sur, Intramuros and Binondo in the city of Manila; Ilagan City in Isabela, and Tuao, Cagayan.

Several environmentalists have been promoting the calesa to continue as a mode of transportation, as more use of it will subsequently decrease carbon emissions and air pollution.