Walking man of Manila

Long before the “Damaso incident” at the Manila Cathedral, Carlos Celdran already made it in the news, not for any scandal but because he instills a different kind of entertainment on his Manila tours.

The many faces of Carlos Celdran (Photos by: Joanna Conde)

I almost lost hope when I woke up from a nap on the evening of September 30 as I found out that our interviewee, Carlos Celdran, was put to jail for offending the Church. A week before this incident, I already scheduled an interview with him. A day before he protested he even said he’ll meet us on that weekend that’s why I panicked and messaged the team about the incident immediately because everyone is excited about the interview only to find out that there’s a possibility that it will be postponed.

Maybe luck was on our side, after waiting for the court’s decision if he’ll be freed and praying that our interview will still push through, it paid off. He was freed on October 1.

On the day of the interview, I was not able to receive any message from him, he was also busy entertaining other interviews from big media outfits but we still tried our best to reach him on his tour on October 3. We were late for his morning tour but then we searched for him as hard as we can, we acted like stalkers hungry for his sight. We struggled searching for him in Intramuros. We went to the hotel where he was checked in, we called him, but we still got no response. We almost lost hope thinking that he might not grant our interview anymore because of the incident but then again hard work always pay off. By 2:30 pm that Sunday afternoon, we received a text message that he’ll be in Fort Santiago for his afternoon tour and he will meet us by then.

We were over-joyed, despite the hot temperature and the walks we endured, we will finally meet the man of the hour.

The moment we saw him walked out of his car, we were smitten for he was considered by many as heroic for what he did at the Manila Cathedral. I am not bothered about that since it was his choice and I am already looking up to him for a long time now.

At first, we were hesitant to approach him because he seems like a very intimidating person. Many people were asking for photo ops with him and when we finally had the chance to talk to him, to our surprise, he asked us to tag along on his tour and that was his treat. We felt really blessed as we enjoyed every minute of the tour because it’s not every day that we experience moments like this.

The man being criticized by many is not at all a bad man. There’s always another side of a story. And for this 37-year old tour guide, it is always about what you believed that you should stand up for.

Here are some tidbits of our interview with Carlos Celdran in which you’ll know his side of story and his thoughts about the Filipinos and Philippines.

Describe yourself in one word:

Chubby

Celdran against all odds

Photo by Joanna Conde

Walking towards the altar wearing a Jose Rizal costume while there is an on-going mass is one story but holding a placard with “Damaso” written in bold letters and raising it is another.

It takes courage for one to voice out negative sentiments in front of high officials but Carlos Celdran have the guts to do it.

Everyone present at the Manila Cathedral last September 30 was surprised to see him shout “Stop getting involved in to politics” as he referred to the church officials and compared them to Noli Me Tangere’s villain Padre Damaso. Some officials present were Archbishop of Manila Gaudencio Rosales, Papal Nuncio Edward Adams and the City of Manila’s Mayor Alfredo Lim.

For this 37-year old famed tour guide, exasperation brought him to face these officials and say his piece.

“I had enough, I just had enough. They (Church) held this country of hostage since the time of Noy-Noy’s mother,” says Celdran on an exclusive interview with Metro Bullet.

Celdran and RH BILL versus the Church

Five years ago, Celdran started giving out condoms and birth controls in Intramuros showing that his advocacy for birth control has begun even before the controversial Reproductive Health Bill (RH Bill) came out.

“I really think that our population growth is the very basis why we’re not going anywhere. Right now, the world is running out of resources, the Philippines is running out of resources.” says Celdran when asked why he is in favor of the RH Bill.

Celdran also shared that he is not really against population growth because he believes that every population has to grow, what he opposes is the fast growing rate. People’s health is also one of his concerns as he said that most of the pregnancies nowadays are unwanted, the child therefore is also unwanted and will just be an addition to society.

The RH Bill was drafted by House Representative Edcel Lagman in 2008 under former President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo’s administration and it has long been controversial because some conservative citizens were strongly against it.  Religion is an added factor for other citizens to oppose the bill, since it connotes a negative impression especially because it contains Sex Education for Elementary students and it allots funds for birth control.  There were even revisions made to compensate to the Catholic community but still it was not enough.

The Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) is strongly against the bill. Meanwhile, President Benigno Aquino III already showed his support in passing the RH Bill that is why the issue became controversial again, pushing Celdran to protest during an ecumenical service.

“The thing that’s great about the RH bill is that it ties everything in there, from day care, to maternal care to prevention of HIV and AIDS because of sex education. There are so many good things going on in that bill and the ‘friars’ keep on pointing out things that are not in there. There’s no abortion in there or whatsoever,” says Celdran.

He added that a lot of people are upset about the ‘If you don’t give Reproductive Health Services, you’ll go to jail’. Celdran said that it is just a misconception since the‘jailing issue’ part is not a scope of the RH Bill instead, it is part of the PhilHealth Bill.

According to him, Reproductive Health is a service, surgery and emergency are also part of that service and if one denies helping any person who needs the service then he/she can be jailed.

The 30th of September

It’s a good thing Celdran was lucky for his bishop costume got stuck in traffic somewhere in Cubao because if not he would have offended the Church all the more for he’ll come as Damaso himself.

“Damaso is the image on Jose Rizal’s novel of the abusive friar who used his powers to get he wants. And I feel like the bishops in the Philippines are exactly like Damaso because they are abusive friars who uses their powers to get what they want,” he said when asked why he chose the image of Damaso in his placard.

Despite his good intentions, the Church officials still sued him and he was put to jail for he violated the Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code, which prohibits “offending religious feelings.”

He became an instant celebrity and gained a lot of compliments over the internet. Some even consider him a hero for his message was truly an eye-opener for the society; however, some also criticize his act for these people think that he was immoral to do such act inside a sacred place. Celdran emphasized that he never wanted to hold the title “hero” for he thinks what he have done isn’t heroic at all.

“Everything was fortuitous. It’s like jumping into a swimming pool you just have to get yourself the strength and just do it. And when you’re standing in front of there, it’s amazing how calm you are, even when you’ve done the did you’re already there, you just ride it,” he said as he explained his experience in Manila Cathedral.

For Celdran, his jailing experience was an eye-opener, because it helped him see what the police in the Philppines are dealing with. He said people can’t really complain about the way the police perform since their office is like a dump.

Burger United

We call this event "4JRN3 sama-samang kumain ng Wendy's Baconator"

At the height of Facebook events in 2011, there were several invitations to events which were not really true but just a pigment of someone's humor. For instance, there was this event called "Sabay-sabay na pagtawid sa Espana" initiated by CFAD students. I'm not so sure if this is when the idea of eating together at Wendy's was born but I'm thankful it happened.

As part of our block's camaraderie and making-the-most-of-our-senior-year, we officers decided to make time for a monthly gathering for the class to be organized by different barkadas or cliques. It does not really matter what, just as long as all will have fun and all will participate. To kick-off that plan, this was organized.

It was totally fun! Not only we were full from eating baconator, we also enjoyed because this was the first time our class actually bonded without any occasion. We usually just celebrate togetherness during Christmas parties or mandatory student events. It was bad that the idea was late but better late than never, right?

We scheduled the event after our Taxation class around 3 in the afternoon. Everybody was asked to go to Wendy's Dapitan. Imagine a flock of students heading to a small fast food chain, sounds like a riot! A good kind of riot, I justify.

While waiting for others, some ordered already. The plan was to try the then newly-offered product, BACONATOR. Some made fun of the crew by changing their names when ordering. There used Mercedes Cabral, Haggardo Versoza, Jirita Avila and other old-sounding Filipino names/ celebrity names. You know what silly pranks High School kids do. We were like that except it was not really annoying. All for fun!

The place could not accommodate all of us, we stayed at the second floor. Others could not attend because of previous academic commitment while some just dropped by bringing their unbranded burger. Well-appreciated. If you can't beat em, join 'em.

The eating came first, along side own chikahan, then picture taking, then we capped the day off with a game. I forgot what it's called but I remember it was from a member of Tomasino!Web. There's a phrase to answer and we used our phones to type our answers and pass it on clockwise. Or something. I actually forgot the exact mechanics but I remembered it was so funny and partly naughty/witty. It was truly fitting for a gathering. I could not recall how many times we were reprimanded because the class was so noisy. We don't mind, we were just having fun. We ended up at 5 something because we still have next class to attend to. Photo summary of the day appears after my WENDY'S BACONATOR REVIEW.

I rate Wendy's Baconator 3.5, because bacon. Everything with bacon is good. Not just good, EXCELLENT when crispy. For its price it was kind of expensive but I understand considering there's double beef patty, and bacon, and cheese. It's made for sharing, I believe. In our case, some shared. Others took the challenge of finishing it alone. Calories everywhere but we're in this together. At present, there is now a burger called "Son of Baconator", I guess Baconator is too big they made a mini-version of it.

(Because we're sweet)

These photos spell sweet. While our former president Denesse is away, we recognize her presence by writing down her name using french fries. Aren't we sweet? Meanwhile, our boys Karlo and Dan bought their less-expensive burgers outside Wendy's and still dropped by to join us on our mini-gathering. The Jirita photo was just a random comedic attempt.

(Calories brought to you by Wendy's)

LARGE fries and double patty burger!

(Barkada photos)

(Wendy's Baconator)

The real celebrator of the day, King Baconator.

(Riot called "4JRN3")

We totally enjoyed this game. It was new for most of us. Fun.

(All smiles)

Obligatory class photo. We're incomplete though.

Floating Malabon resto afloat for more than a decade

text and photos by ROSETTE S. ADEL

University of Santo Tomas Journalism program

MALABON CITY—A FISHING pond here has become the 12-year-old beehive of a floating restaurant here in this flood-prone city. 

Now, 12-year-old Balsa sa Niugan added a relaxing place for coffee lovers out there.

This floating restaurant and fishing garden in M. Aquino Street, the first in the city, just opened its coffee shop. Its capacity is 300-strong.

Balsa sa Niugan was established on July 18, 1998 under the ownership of a family-owned corporation, the Centennial Raft and Allied Services Inc..

Asked about the name ‘Balsa sa Niugan’, Manager Loreta Geronimo said that it was her husband, Santy, who had thought of it. Most of the facilities they have were made of rafts which are literally called ‘Balsa’ meaning floating raft made from bamboos that is why they used the name ‘Balsa sa Niugan’. 

Mr. Geronimo was also the one who conceptualized the design of Balsa sa Niugan—to cover the dining area, extension area, The Balsa area, Kubo area, Pavilion area, fishing area, and the “Kapihan sa Balsa,” which was opened last June 20 (Father’s Day). 

“Each area was gradually added as extensions for our facilities,” Mrs. Geronimo said.

The said areas may be used for events like weddings, baptismal, seminars, reunions, birthday parties and conferences as well as occasional reservations.

“Balsa sa Niugan caters to people from all walks of life, from classes A to C,” says Mrs. Geronimo. 

The restaurant’s menu consists of Filipino dishes, seafoods, sizzlings, Japanese and Chinese foods, and cocktail drinks which are being served daily on their operating hours from noon till midnight. “Kapihan sa Balsa” serves brewed coffee, cakes, and pastries.

Dining afloat in a fishpond with a cool relaxing ambiance of our open-air place makes us distinct, says Mrs. Geronimo.

Having been in the industry for 12 years now, Balsa sa Niugan has established its niche in the food retail industry in Malabon. 

However, like any other business in Malabon, the location itself is a drawback. Mrs. Geronimo said that because Malabon City is a flood-prone area, whenever there is flood or typhoon, they cannot operate. 

Its owners refuse to disclose how much the restaurant earns annually.

As for the community, Barangay Kagawad Rizalito De Guzman said that he sees no problem with the establishment of Balsa sa Niugan.

“Since the establishment is being featured on television and newspapers, our Barangay (Brgy. Niugan) is also being promoted in the process.” Johanne Bautista a resident of Brgy. Flores, Malabon City said that the concept of Balsa sa Niugan being a floating restaurant “is a good one”. She said that because of this people from other places visit Malabon to experience dining in Balsa, therefore it promotes local tourism benefitting the flood-prone city.

“Balsa sa Niugan a good place for sightseeing, although one thing I find negative about it is that there are lots of mosquitoes during night time because the water is stagnant,” says Marion Karenina Sagun, a resident of Brgy. Tinajeros.

But with simple rafts serving as the restaurant’s humble beginnings, the little pond where Balsa sa Niugan started has become a sea of livelihood for the Geronimo family and the city.

Rosette Adel, a third year Journalism student of UST, submitted this story for her Newspaper Practice and Management class.

Author's note: *I am just reposting my article from our Newspaper Practice and Management class. It was also posted in Pinoy Community Newswire 

-September 13, 2010. This was a site organized by our then Asst.Prof. Jeremaiah Opiniano. This article was also published in: The Philippine Business and News Forum

-November 10, 2010. However they already removed it when they updated their website.*