Manifesting creativity in his calesa designs, driver-operator Tirso Paddayuman of Capatan village here won anew the Calesa category contest of the Pavvurulun Afi Festival held at the SM City transport bay last Aug. 14.
His traditional horse-drawn carriage locally known as calesa, bedecked with indigenous materials bested 25 other participants in the competition.
Paddayuman’s entry showcased an admirable combination of local materials and crops like palay and farm implements, aside from colorful images of tourist spots and landmark edifices, His calesa was replete with leather seats and wheels indicating excellent craftsmanship.
Paddayuman went home P15,000 richer.
“It pays to adorn our calesas with ornaments and other accessories. This will attract passengers,” Paddayuman said.
Mariano Langcay, also of Capatan village, was runner-up and won the ₱10,000-pot.
Benito Bangayan of Caritan Centro came in third and received the ₱7,000-prize, flowed by Reynaldo Balisi of Linao West who got ₱5,000.
Other also-rans in the contest settled for ₱2,000 each as consolation prizes.
Anyways, all the winners also received gift certificates, trophies, and other tokens.
Mayor Maila Ting-Que said the traditional calesas plying the city thoroughfares have remained a popular public transport for students, tourists and countryside villagers.
“As traditional calesas continue to thrive, we have to see to their welfare and their passengers’ safety and convenience,” the mayor said.
