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RP’s first-ever ‘Kalesa’ festival set on Monday
Source: Manila Bulletin
Author: Rachel C. Barawid
Date: 2004-03-13
 
The Philippine Tourism Authority (PTA) will hold the country’s first-ever "Kalesa Festival" on March 15, Monday, in an effort to give recognition to the centuries-old horse-drawn carriage or kalesa which has served not only as a reliable means of transportation but also as one of the living relics of history.



The unique festival themed "Kalesa: Duyan ng Turista" will feature a colorful display competition of the most decorated kalesas turned into floats. Judging of the contest will start at 8 a.m. infront of the Department of Tourism (DoT) Building along T.M. Kalaw Avenue and will be followed by a grand Kalesa parade accompanied by marching band, street dancers and jugglers along Roxas Boulevard and into the streets of Intramuros until 12 noon.



PTA General Manager and chief executive officer Robert Dean Barbers said the festival was organized to recognize the unending and humble contribution of the kalesa to the economy, culture, identity, history and to Philippine tourism.



"With inherent ingenuity and creativity, Filipinos have transformed these simple yet reliable means of transportation into artful testament of our resourcefulness, perseverance, industry and dependability," Barbers noted.



The festival competition will have two categories. The first is open to all non-PTA entries, consisting of kalesa owners and operators, colleges, universities, private corporations and local government units. The second category is for the 13 PTA resort-properties nationwide.



"The PTA spearheads this endeavor not only to show our great concern and care for tourists but also to promote our 13 government-operated tourist properties nationwide through this non-conventional tool," Barbers added.



He said the kalesas will be decorated based on the PTA theme/slogan "Pilipino sa Turismo ay Aktibo." Participants are urged to be creative in their use of materials which are limitless. But the kalesas should be sturdy enough to withstand weather conditions during the parade and for a longer period as it may be used for tourism purposes all-year round.



Judging of the kalesas will be according to the criteria set by the PTA’s board of judges which include creativity (30 percent), resourcefulness and presentation (30 percent), relevance to the theme (20 percent), originality (10 percent) and overall impact (10 percent).



Winners will receive cash prizes, trophies and plaques. Cash prizes range from R30,000 for the Grand PTA Award to R15,000 (Best in Creativity, Originality, and People’s Choice Award) and R10,000 for special awards which are Most Relevant to the Theme, Most Environment-Friendly and Best Decorated Entity.



The 18th-century kalesa was introduced in the country during the Spanish period. It was used mostly by Spanish officials and the nobles as a means of transportation. Later on, the rich Filipinos referred to as Ilustrados used the kalesa not just for traveling but also for transporting goods. Today, few kalesas still roam around Intramuros, Chinatown and in some streets in the provinces, for tourism as well as business purposes.
 

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