Kalesa enduring source of livelihood in north Luzon

Livelihood

Freddie G. Lazaro

LAOAG CITY, Ilocos Norte — Despite the continuing influx of brand new motor vehicles in this region, the demand for the “kalesa” as a means of transportation is as bright as this so-called “Sunshine City” of the country.

The kalesa or horse-drawn cart is a centuries-old transport facility in Laoag which was introduced during the Spanish colonial period. These days, it is nearly extinct in some parts in the country.

Apart from Laoag City, the Heritage Village of Vigan City in Ilocos Sur; Ilagan City in Isabela; and Tuao and Tuguegarao City in Cagayan are places where the kalesa still rolls. Historical places in Manila like Intramuros and Binondo also play host to the kalesa.

The horse-drawn cart is not only used as public conveyance by residents going to the poblacion and public markets but also by tourists riding around town to visit local attractions.

Mayor Chevylle Fariñas preserves the kalesa as an integral part of the city’s rich cultural heritage by way of the grand annual parade of kalesas during the Pamulinawen Festival.

Apart from a tourism draw, the kalesa is a source of livelihood of local residents, said RoelRespicio, president of the Kalesa Association of Laoag.

The kalesa provides livelihood even for the elderly men folk in Laoag City. In fact, city hall records show that 50 percent of the kutseros here are senior citizens with the oldest one at 80.

“In Laoag City, a kutsero is earning an average daily net income of R500,” revealed Respicio, 45, who inherited the kalesa renting venture from his late father, Moises.

Aside from Kalesa renting venture, Respicio is also engaging rental business for horse- drawn carriage for funeral rites and for weddings.

Respicio said the kalesa is an enduring environment-friendly mode of transportation especially in an age when people are being more conscious of the impact of climate change.

As the head of the 200-strong association of kutseros or kalesa drivers, he said his group believes the kalesa is here to stay and that the demand for it will even grow as people become more environment-friendly.

“When I took on the reigns of our kutsero group in the city a few years back, we had only 140 members but now we are 187 and there are some more kutseros who are awaiting their membership approval,” Respicio said.

In Vigan City recently, participants in the Knights of Rizal’s 20th International Convention arrived in the Heritage Village riding in more than 100 kalesas.

Welcoming them were former National Security Adviser and governor Luis “Chavit” Singson, Gov. Ryan Singson, Congressman Ronald Singson, Congressman Eric Singson, Vigan City Mayor Eva Medina and other public figures.

From the Saint Paul Cathedral, the Rizalist-participants paraded in kalesas to the newly-constructed Vigan Convention Center in what is now recognized as one of the Seven Wonder Cities of the World. -- With a report from Mar T. Supnad