CARLOS CELDRAN:
WA LK ING M AN OF M ANI L A
Whether or not you've ever been to Manila before, you've
probably heard that an air-conditioned car or taxi is the best
way to get around, or if you're feeling adventurous, the light
rail, jeepneys or even tricycles are the way to go. But you'd
be hard-pressed to find anyone who would recommend that
you actually use your own two legs to get around. Except for
one man ­ Carlos Celdran.
Carlos Celdran is a passionate Manileņo, artist, and activist,
who attended the prestigious Rhode Island School of Design
and lived for many years in New York City. In addition to
being a cultural historian, Carlos is also a passionate activ-
ist for HIV/AIDS awareness and a champion of reproductive
health education in the Philippines. In 2002, he founded
Walk This Way - his own unique walking tours of Manila.
Complete with music, costume changes, comedy and his
globally influenced but Filipino-centric enthusiasm for art,
politics, and culture - Carlos makes you feel you are part of
an interactive theatre performance, more than just a
"...Carlos makes you feel you
"guided tour."
are part of an interactive
theatre performance..."
Currently, Carlos offers two tours - the first, "If these Walls
Could Talk," is a half-day walking tour of Intramuros, the
oldest district of Manila, built by the Spanish in the 16th
the Cultural Center of the Philippines centered around
century, and the second is the wildly kitschy and popular
the colorful life of former First Lady Imelda Marcos. In
"Living la Vida Imelda!", which is a 1970's flavored tour of
addition to these tours, Carlos also hosts artists from all
over the world, and fascinating cultural salons at The
Living Room, a venue he owns in Malate. Whether or not
you have been to Manila before, Carlos' chosen paths
and perspectives will provide you a refreshing, enlight-
ening and highly enjoyable way to experience the Philip-
pine culture.
If you're seeking an authentic, educational and enter-
taining introduction to Manila, Carlos' walking tours will
leave you with more than just a pamphlet and snapshots
to share with the folks back home. You'll leave feeling
like someone shared with you the true secret of what
gives the Philippines it's absolutely unique, complex,
tragic, beautiful, fantastic flavor. Our recent interview
with Carlos gave us a good dose of his irreverent humor
and effervescent candor.
THEPHILIPPINESMAGAZINE.COM
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SPRING 2011 14

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