Carlos Celdran.
Carlos Celdran, who describes himself as a "cultural activist", gives an enlightening and highly amusing tour of Intamuros, titled If These Walls Could Talk. He surveys the history of Manila from the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors and the Roman Catholic religion in the 17th century, to the coming of the Americans, who didn't make good on their promise to make the Philippines a state of the union, the Japanese invasion during World War II and its tragic climax – and the modern political realities.
~ The Daily Telegraph ~
Carlos Celdran is a “Tour Guide Extraordinaire.“ Manila is so much better with him around.
~ Superpasyal ~
The best walking tour with the crazy Carlos Celdran.
~ Maxim Magazine ~
Carlos Celdran is flamboyant to the extreme, a one man show of history, criticism, and trivia, the most entertaining ticket in town.
~ Lonely Planet ~
Carlos' love for Manila was evident and infectious. His final line of the tour said it all: "If you want to change the way Manila looks, start by changing the way you look at Manila". As Carlos himself pointed out, a lot of tourists consider Manila an "ugly" city, something that travellers should preferably skip over if they're on the way to any other place in the Philippines. But Manila's story is beautiful, tragic, poignant ... and Carlos is one of the best story-tellers we have out there right now.
~ Marseilles ~
Another great series and more interesting information.
Posted by: John | March 15, 2010 at 01:32 AM
ganda ng barong nya a, makabili nga rin ng ganyan hehehe
Posted by: Free bird | March 12, 2010 at 08:48 PM
Would love to go on a walking tour with him, he indeed sounds crazy fun. Am enjoying the updates.
Posted by: sandy | March 12, 2010 at 12:57 AM
Beautiful shots specially the second one.
Posted by: oggi | March 11, 2010 at 10:14 PM
Salut !
Et je dois avouer que j´aimerais bien faire un tour avec lui :)
Amitiés
Elisa, Argentine
Posted by: Elisa | March 10, 2010 at 12:14 AM
A compelling comment and accompanying pictures make the viewer want to hear this interesting fellow in person. Fine post today.
Posted by: don | March 09, 2010 at 11:50 PM
Excellent documentary shots...so expressive and animated. Bravo!
Posted by: bluechameleon | March 09, 2010 at 11:18 PM
Thanks to you, a tour with Cedran is a must for me when I visit Pinas.
Posted by: bertN | March 09, 2010 at 10:00 PM
very animated guy. i have not yet "walked" with him but hopefully soon.
ivan mandy is also excellent.
Posted by: lawstude | March 09, 2010 at 09:11 PM
Beautiful series! I like the perspective of your images! Great presentation in images of Carlos Celdran! Excellent work!
Posted by: Andrei Barbu | March 09, 2010 at 08:40 PM
you always bring to us so different and new stories!
Posted by: joshi daniel | March 09, 2010 at 07:32 PM
I like how you photographed Carlos Celdran. And I'm so amazed that you were able to convince him to be photographed. I've heard that most walking tour guides don't want to be photographed...
Posted by: dodong flores | March 09, 2010 at 07:15 PM
Carlos sure is getting more and more popular. 2 years ago we planned on joining his tours..but what a cheap bunch we were, lol! :D
great photos Sidney
Posted by: Thess | March 09, 2010 at 07:05 PM
Carlos must be very pleased with you for these wonderful pictures!
Posted by: Pavan Kaul | March 09, 2010 at 06:25 PM
Une très belle série de portraits!
Posted by: Standley | March 09, 2010 at 06:00 PM
Cultural activist: I like that.
Posted by: pieterbie | March 09, 2010 at 01:05 PM
Schools should consider him a part of field trips because they'll have more fun learning about Philippine history from him than from their books and teachers! :P
Posted by: fortuitous faery | March 09, 2010 at 01:03 PM
Excellent portrait ou l'on apprend beaucoup de choses.
Posted by: JMS* | March 09, 2010 at 12:55 PM
"If you want to change the way Manila looks, start by changing the way you look at Manila"
I like that. It could be true for a lot of places. One you start having a different outlook and perspective on places and on people, you just can't judge the same.
Posted by: Zhu | March 09, 2010 at 11:10 AM
More amazing shots of him, and learning so much more about him thanks for this
Posted by: JJ | March 09, 2010 at 10:50 AM
we need more of him.. :) very nice shots.. :)
Posted by: rian | March 09, 2010 at 10:39 AM
There is a glow on his face like the glow of a righteous man.
Posted by: Ajay | March 09, 2010 at 10:03 AM
sounds like he is very informed! i can see why his love of Manila would be so infections :) helps to have someone with that kind of enthusiasm!
Posted by: Charles Dastodd | March 09, 2010 at 09:19 AM
I think the Dep Ed should adopt his tours as part of the curiculum. He makes history fun to learn. I am sure the kids would love to have this tour as a supplemental learning aid in their history classes?
Posted by: Photo Cache | March 09, 2010 at 08:14 AM
Every city should deserve a Carlos Celdran. If i had the same talents, i should consider being the Carlos Celdran of my city :)
Posted by: PixeLuz | March 09, 2010 at 07:53 AM