• University Of the City of Manila (Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila)

• PHIL 4

Historical Transportation: The Current State of Kalesa Preservation in Intramuros

Manila as it Gradually Supersedes by New Advanced Transport

In partial fulfillment

of the requirements of the subject

Readings in the Philippine History

A.Y 2021-2022

Chapter 1

INTRODUCTION

This chapter presents a brief background of the study, the statement of the problem, the

significance of the study, the scope and limitations, and the definition of terms.

I. Introduction

The emergence of the Philippine Kalesa under the Spanish colonization has since been

seen as a social status symbol of the elites, and as the Americans occupied the country, Kalesa's

began to decline and were gradually supplanted by motorized vehicles until the modern-day.

Despite the fact that these historical and functional icons are supposed to vanish, they can still be

seen in many towns and provinces. Moreover, the Philippine Kalesa is made primarily of Molave

tree wood, recognized for its durability Quinones (2018).

Moreover, one of our ancient civilization's treasures is the Kalesa. Kalesa was introduced

to the Filipinos in the 18th century by the era of the colonialization of the Spaniards. Horsecarriage or Kalesa transportation contains two big wheels carrying the base where the passenger

comfortably sits, the driver or usually known as Kutchero, a roof for the protection of the heated

sun, and lastly, the main attraction of the Kalesa. This horse carries the loads on its back.

According to Crisologo et al. (1963), the Kalesa, a horse-driven carriage, needed to be preserved.

In addition, the writer mentioned that riding a Kalesa driven by the Kutchero, was the best

transportation to ride while visiting different historical places and sites.

Kalesa is part of the Philippines' historical past, evidence of the civilization occurring

during the Spaniards colonization era. Many people now adore it as it was usually seen passing

through the Intramuros, a place known to be historical, identical to Kalesa. But as time passed,

we couldn't deny that some traditions were slowly fading as modernization and innovation were

introduced and Kutcheros with their Kalesa are having a hard time keeping up with other

modernized transportations. New modes of transportation, such as the e-trike and modern

Jeepney, were revealed to be suitable for citizens' convenience and the environment.