TUGUEGARAO CITY – “Two for the road.” These were the words of calesa operator-owner Tirso Paddayuman of Capatan village after winning again the Calesa spectacle a part of the Pavvurulun Afi Festival at a mall’s transport bay in this city on August 14.
His traditional horse-drawn carriage known as calesa, garbed with indigenous materials bested 25 other participants in the competition.
Paddayuman’s calesa was dressed his calesa with indigenous materials and farm crops like palay and implements, aside from painted designs such as tourism spots and landmark edifices. With leather seats adorning the carriage, its running gear frames have shown creative designs. He won P15,000.
Second was his colleague, Mariano Langcay of Capatan who got ₱10,000. Third was Benito Bangayan of Caritan Centro with ₱7,000 and fourth was Reynaldo Balisi of Linao West with ₱5,000. Non-winning participants received ₱2,000 each as consolation prize each.
The winners also received gift certificates, trophies, and other tokens.
Mayor Maila Ting-Que said the traditional calesas plying along the city has remained a popular public transport for students, tourists and countryside villagers.
“The traditional calesas are come-on among tourists and an enjoyable ride among villagers,” she added. (VILL GIDEON VISAYA)
