Added: Nov 22, 2008

From: NTDTV

Duration: 1:42

CHAN:The traditional horse-drawn carriage is an icon of the Philippines' colonial past. But now it's fighting for survival against gas-guzzling vehicles in Manila.STORY: In the 1700-1800's, Manila was under Spanish rule and riding a horse and carriage was a symbol of affluence. Carriages trotted into the 20th century, outlasting the colonizers and become the preferred mode of transport among students and office workers. But the old-fashioned carriage is being swept aside by a growing number of motorized vehicles in the city of 14 million. Roberto dela Cruz has operated a kalesa in downtown Manila for 37 years. [Roberto dela Cruz, Carriage Operator]:"Our earnings were overflowing, back in those times when there were not many cars on the road, only horse carriages. The Chinese living here had no other means to get around but the horse carriage." But with the carriage facing near extinction, long-time coachmen are finding it difficult to shift to another form of livelihood. [Ricardo Legaspi, Coachman]:"We just rely on luck to see us through. If you get good luck, thank God you earned something extra. If you get bad luck, most of the time you only have enough to feed your horse, and barely enough to feed yourself. Things started going bad for the carriage ever since tricycles entered the scene." Motorized tricycles are the biggest threat to the carriage. They also charge as low as half a dollar per ride while carriages normally charge triple. But, horse and carriage rides look set to stay in the historical part of Manila, and tourists will pay more, but there's just not as much demand.

Channel: News

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