Cuchero (Kutsero) and Calesa

by witsandnuts on October 19, 2009

I snapped these shots when we were heading for the Chinatown last month.

A kutsero or cuchero is a calesa driver. In a way, “kwentong kutsero” has been associated to them.

The tales spun by the calesa (horse drawn carriage) driver who apparently has had the reputation of a rumor monger. There was once a radio show by the same name and later a revival TV program. It parodied the life of the kutsero, his community and the country at large—from a socio-political point of view.

Also, there’s a song “Kalesa” composed by the national artist, Levi Celerio.

I hope we had enough time that day to ride the calesa. Probably next time, I will. Have you tried riding it?

{ 15 comments… read them below or add one }

redlan October 19, 2009 at 5:07 AM: hindi pa ako nakaride ng calesa. tsk tsk. sa carabao cart pa lang.
.-= redlan´s last blog ..HARVEST TIME =-.

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upto6only October 19, 2009 at 5:15 AM: tried riding sa may tiendesitas and sa intramuros. may nagsuggest pa nga na sana yun daw yung ginamit ko nung na-stranded ako sa baha para makauwi ng makati.

uy love pics and the colors. parang old shot ang dating. galing
.-= upto6only´s last blog ..PHOTOHUNT: Faith (free week) =-.

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Em Dy October 19, 2009 at 7:07 AM: Never dared ride in one but I do love the song.
.-= Em Dy´s last blog ..Mang Inasal =-.

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Josiet October 19, 2009 at 10:22 AM: Nakasakay na ako sa may Intramuros. Part of our field trip =)
.-= Josiet´s last blog ..Obsession: Cars =-.

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kg October 19, 2009 at 10:26 AM: I tried it in Vigan. pag dito kasi sa Metro Manila puro usok ang malalanghap mo eh….
.-= kg´s last blog ..Are you gross enough? =-.

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dyosa October 19, 2009 at 1:00 PM: Yep, i’ve tried riding the calesa when I last visited Chinatown. Makes me want to visit the place again and explore more.
.-= dyosa´s last blog ..DINNER AT LUSSO =-.

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kayni October 19, 2009 at 3:58 PM: i want to ride one too. i’ve seen them but never got the chance to experience riding a calesa…=). it must be fun.

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luna miranda October 19, 2009 at 5:44 PM: my first and only ride was in Vigan…i felt sorry for the horse.:P
.-= luna miranda´s last blog ..Captivating capiz =-.

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fortuitous faery October 19, 2009 at 5:53 PM: i’m proud to say that my first and only calesa ride was in binondo! binondo to UST! haha! my chinese friends rode with me then. ang saya!
.-= fortuitous faery´s last blog ..Silver Bean, Silver Bean =-.

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Photo Cache October 19, 2009 at 9:11 PM: really liked how you processed these images. never ridden one before. should remedy that when i go home.
.-= Photo Cache´s last blog ..Vernal or Nevada? =-.

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dong ho October 19, 2009 at 11:31 PM: now i miss street photography. lapit lang ng manila pero bihira ako makapunta dyan.
.-= dong ho´s last blog ..mairaira blue lagoon central beach =-.

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Rico October 20, 2009 at 12:23 AM: Kalesas are quite common in our province when I was growing up. But I rarely see them nowadays. I think I was able to ride a kalesa from Divi to Recto years ago when I was a kid too. The last time I rode one was in Intramuros about five years ago.
.-= Rico´s last blog ..LP023: Maagap =-.

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Angeli October 20, 2009 at 3:25 AM: the pictures have this kind of vintage feel. very nice.
.-= Angeli´s last blog ..a typical day =-.

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Amelia October 20, 2009 at 4:22 AM: namiss ko ito. I remember riding calesa in Sta. Cruz going to Intramuros ang saya! nice phots

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layrayski October 20, 2009 at 3:47 PM: My mom and I have tried this when we went to Manila for the first time. Playing the tourist to the hilt. hehehe. I didn’t regret it. especially now that I get to say it in your blog hehehe I’ve posted some pics of our calesa trip on my sunsetmindano blog.
.-= layrayski´s last blog ..sandzzie:fuckyeah4chan:I <3 Dark Knight… =-.

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