Manila Turista (Part 2)
1.14.2012
On Carlos Celdran’s Intramuros “If These Walls Could Talk” Walking Tour
I know, I should at least have pictures to go with this post.
If not to show what I saw at Intramuros, then at least to show what a character Carlos Celdran is.
I’m sorry, I counted on my companions for that, and unfortunately, they haven’t posted pictures yet. And I’m too impatient to wait.
This was the second time I’d be taking this tour, but the first time I had joined it was probably four or five years ago.
Then I realize, wow, Carlos’ has been doing this a long time.
And then I Googled to see exactly how long he’s been doing this, and I was surprised to find that he’s been doing it for almost 10 years now.
Talk about commitment.
I still remembered parts of the tour from years back. I still remember some of his spiels and punchlines. But I was still thoroughly amused by his delivery and simply being reminded of my history and my Filipino-ness.
Up until maybe a third of the tour, I kept thinking, “Damn. Doesn’t he get tired of giving this same spiel?”, having delivered it for almost 10 years now, several times a week??
And then he ends the Spanish Colonial Period and moves on to the Ameri-kens.
And talks about World War II.
And how many people just dismiss Manila without understanding her, learning of her golden age and realizing the irreparable damage and desolation WWII brought to the city.
And how Manila would never be the same again after that.
The whole tour group fell silent at this point.
We then proceeded to the last leg of the tour, where Carlos reminded us Filipinos what it really was to be Filipino, giving a verbal slap those who scoff their Filipino-ness and encouraging us to embrace our nationality.
Then, I remembered, and understood why Carlos does what he does.
He doesn’t just give a tour, he furthers a cause.
His tour is as much for Filipinos as it is for foreigners, if not, more so.
And I wish that all Filipinos could experience, absorb, understand, and never forget the things he says on his tour.
Here’s another reminder.
Little Brown Jug,
Jen
