A kalesa (Philippine Spanish: calesa), is a two-wheeled horse-drawn carriage used in the Philippines. It was the primary mode of public and private transport in the Philippines during the Spanish and the American colonial period. Their use declined with the increasing use of motorized vehicles in the 20th century, until the kalesas stopped being viable in the 1980s. In modern times, they largely only survive as tourist attractions, such as in Vigan, Ilocos Sur.

Kalesas have other names based on the number of passengers they can seat. Small kalesas which can carry one or two passengers in front-facing seats are known as karomata or karumata (Spanish carromato). Larger kalesas which carry freight or up to six or more passengers in side-facing seats are known as karitela or karetela (also tartanilla in Cebu). However, these terms have become interchangeable over time. Four-wheeled carriages are differentiated as karwahe (Spanish carruaje).

Description

The kalesa looks like a two-wheeled inclined cart, and is drawn by a single horse. It is made from wood, metal, or a combination of both. The kalesa driver commonly called as kutsero (Spanish cochero) sits on the driver's seat in front. Both the driver and the passengers are enclosed by a canopy originating from the back of the cab. Kalesa had specific terminology for drivers. When a kutsero wants the horse to turn right, he says "mano" while he says "silla" to make the horse turn left.

Kalesas can be differentiated by the number of passengers they can seat. Small kalesas which can carry one or two passengers in front-facing seats are known as karomata or karumata (Philippine Spanish: ). Karomatas had the barest of conveniences and charged the lowest rates, which led to them being characterized as the "commoner's carriage".

Large four-wheeled versions of the kalesa were known as karwahe (Philippine Spanish: ); while drays drawn by carabao (usually used to transport cargo) were known as garetas or kareton (Spanish carretón).

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File:WTMP Pangkat E-13-1.JPG|Kalesa in Manila

File:Allan Jay Quesada - Vigan Calle Crisologo DSC 1917.jpg|Kalesa in Calle Crisologo, Vigan, Ilocos Sur

File:Calesas Parked at Vigan Cathedral.jpg|Kalesa parked in front of Vigan Cathedral

File:Kalesa at Binondo, Manila (January 2020).jpg|alt=|A kalesa at Binondo, Manila

File:Calesa.jpg|A kalesa in front of the Manila Cathedral

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History

thumb|Kalesas in a street in Manila, circa pre-1900

thumb|Kalesas during "bicycle races" in the [[Bacolod public plaza in 1901]]

thumb|A karomata in Manila ()

Kalesa (from Spanish calesa) were first introduced to the Philippines in the 1700s by the Spanish. They became the primary mode of public and private transportation in the islands. They were manufactured by traditional workshops known as .

The American colonial government also started the motorization of public transport in the early 20th century, introducing automobiles like jeepneys ("auto calesas") and buses ("autobuses") as well as the expansion of the Tranvía electric tram lines (operated by Meralco). These new motorized vehicles competed directly with the kalesas, and the motorized and horse-drawn sectors of public transport were often in conflict. New ordinances were created that restricted the movement of horse-drawn vehicles in favor of motorized transport. Despite this, the kalesas flourished well into the mid-20th century, due to their much more flexible routes, their cheapness, and the significant political power of the unions. The political weight of the unions was referred to in contemporary media as the " vote" and was regarded as synonymous to the voting power of the lower classes. It included the low-income working class and small businesses who relied on the kalesas for both personal transport and delivery of goods. The " vote" had a strong influence in elections, allowing kalesas to avoid most attempts at changing traffic regulations. In the late 1930s, there were still an estimated 7000 kalesas operating in Manila alone. Kalesas can also be found in Intramuros, where they cater to tourists and Binondo in Manila, as well as in Iligan, where decorated kalesas can be taken for a ride along a specific street.

Kalesas still being used as public transport survive in only a few areas of the Philippines. In Cebu, karitela-type kalesas, locally known as tartanillas, are still in operation, though they are gradually fading out. and the motorela of Northern Mindanao, a portmanteau of "motorized" and "".

The colorful decorations of the kalesa was also inherited by the post-World War II jeepney. The horse hood ornament of most jeepneys is also a tribute to its kalesa predecessor.

An annual Kalesa Parade is held during the Binatbatan Festival of the Arts of Vigan City.

See also

  • Kangga, a traditional Carabao-drawn sled
  • Motorized tricycle (Philippines)
  • Jeepney
  • Pulled rickshaw

References

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Notes

  • "Breve diccionario etimológico de la lengua española" by Guido Gómez de Silva ()
  • Riding The Philippine 'Calesa' and Business
  • thumb|Kalesa in ManilaKalesa – Video Watch, watch Youtube video, download Youtube video.
  • PTA Grand Launch – Kalesa Festival. The Official Web Page of Philippine Tourism Authority.

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