When in tourist mode abroad, I love researching on unique experiences the area has to offer. Copenhagen has a tour where all participants are on bicycles. In Amsterdam, there is a walking tour of the red light district highlighting its history and focusing on more than meets the eye. And while in Italy, my best friends, favorite auntie and I just recently took part in an amazing “Taste of Umbria” tour highlighting the delicious specialties the region is known for (i.e. truffles, chocolates, wine, olive oil, etc.). So this got me thinking, do we have something similar at home here in the Philippines? When you’re home, you hardly get to act the tourist, only when friends and family visit. I lived in San Francisco for years and never did I even set foot on Alcatraz. Living in Los Angeles as well, I didn’t care much about those Hollywood celebrity home tours. What would we recommend to tourists when they visit our beautiful country? Something out-of-the-ordinary, something different. I’m sure there are a few (and I will try to get those together and post them in the future) but what stands out for me is that of Carlos Celdran’s…
Take a leisurely stroll around a selection of Intramuros’ most stunning structures and take in an ironically irreverent yet informative analysis of Philippine architecture, culture, & society from Pre-Hispanic Manila until the present. It’s theater at street level. Learn ALL about Manila literally one step at a time.
I’ve been hearing about his walking tour for the longest time. In fact, I have even sent people over and telling them that it’s highly recommended when you’re visiting Manila. Although, I have omitted the part (and too embarrassed to mention) while suggesting his tour that I haven’t done it myself. Even my friend, Lisa, who came all the way from Denmark and her husband, Francis (all the way from Belgium) along with their family (all the way from different parts of Europe) have ALL embarked on this supposedly wonderful tour (more than once, I must say. AND they gave great reviews). Except for me. Not even once.
But hey, I’ve seen his Imelda show: https://guadareyes.com/2013/02/26/livin-la-vida-imelda-see-what-the-fuss-is-about/ LOVED IT! But a walking tour, I mean, to walk in this heat, I’ll HATE IT! So when one of my longtime friends, Irene, returned from Los Angeles for a long overdue visit, her request was to do the Carlos Celdran walking tour. Ok, maybe it’s a sign. Ok, I’ll be a good friend. Alright, alright, it’s time to go.
The meeting point was at Fort Santiago. My goodness, I think the last time I was here was back in the days for a senior high school field trip. What did I learn back in the nineties? I remember it being hot and I was too busy being in love (my boyfriend at that time was part of the field trip). L-O-V-E kept the trip interesting for me. Irene, too, was part of that school trip and she asked me if I remembered anything. “No. Did you?”.
“No.”, she replied. These two ignorant school girls were now back at the scene. 
“Who here are Filipinos?” asked Carlos. Irene and I and quite a number raised our hands. To which he replied that the non-Filipinos will depend on us for the answers of some of the questions he will be asking. What? Like a pop quiz? Do I even remember? I’m nervous, my mind has gone blank. It doesn’t help that I was there with Irene as the more I felt like back in school. Space cadet. 
After singing the Philippine National Anthem, Carlos then asked, “What is the title of our national anthem?” He scanned the crowd…. Then at Irene…. Then at me, to which I softly mouthed “Bayang Magiliw?” Bwahahahahahahahaaha!!! WTF?!?!? Epic fail! Of course I knew the title was “Lupang Hinirang”, meaning “chosen land”, right? And not “Bayang Magiliw”, which are the two first words of the anthem. I got so nervous!!! So, as we walked to our next point, without mentioning it to each other, Irene and I “naturally” made our way to the back of the crowd. 
Then the Choc-Nut came out for distribution and soon we “conveniently” found ourselves at the front line again! 😉 Here are my images from this wonderful walking tour! I don’t want to say so much as you have to experience it yourself! Now, I am so glad Irene wanted to go as we had loads of fun!!!
Carlos had calesas (horse-drawn carriages for those not familiar) ready to take us to one of our last stops, Intramuros church. 
Along the way, street life and street art…
I have forgotten how beautiful this walled city is. Thank you, Carlos, for reminding me!
Destination: Intramuros Church…
A refreshing cap-off to the tour, our favorite!!!!!….. 
HALO-HALO!!! Our country’s classic treat. Just last September, halo-halo was featured in an article as one of the 10 Food Fads Worth Traveling For.
Having had this Carlos Celdran experience, now I can really say whole-heartedly, YES! Go for it! A must for tourists and a definite must for Filipinos. As a Filipino, you’ll learn to look at things from a different perspective and at the same time enjoy what our city has to offer.
Irene plans to be back for Christmas. I wonder what her special request will be this time.
Carlos and Irene. 
My Instagram photo inside Intramuros Church @helloandgoodeye… Let’s follow each other! http://instagram.com/p/dtCZ_lEr0t/
Log onto http://celdrantours.blogspot.com/ for Carlos Celdran’s December 2013 and January/early February 2014 tour dates.
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