AU REVOIR!
Sigh. It really breaks my heart to do this, but I am going to remove Casa Manila from my Intramuros Regular and Deluxe tours. Due to new rules, the Intramuros Administration has to limit the amount of visitors that enter the museum. Only thirty people are allowed to enter the museum at any given time. And my tours usually go up to 35 on the average and unfortunately, they will not give exception to even ONE extra person (and I don't want to leave that one person behind downstairs while we go inside). But for those who reeeeaaally want to see this replica of a 19th century Ilustrado mansion, worry not, I will still end the tour at the Casa Manila courtyard and all guests will have the chance to see the museum on their own AFTER the tour. The usual spiel that I gave inside the Casa Manila will now be done in different sites around the Plaza San Luis Compound and Intramuros.
Labels: au revoir
posted by carlosceldran @ 3:26 AM
13 Comments:
Hi Carlos,
I must say that's a sad set back for your tours. I always enjoyed the tours with you through Casa Manila Museum because you filled history with life, anecdotes and a taste of how life was be during that time centuries back. The museum itself does offer only some let me say 'not really interesting' displays explaining the furniture and so on. But this is not a real museum experience in modern times. A musuems experience must have a story-line to attract interest. You offer that story-line. It's sad that you have to skip that part.
Tom
I know. I'm pretty upset but I'm not going to rock the boat. I feel sometimes it's worth just working around the obstacle instead of beating my head against it. I'm just hoping that we can find a happy compromise someday.
They put the limit because they want to protect the antiques. I see their point. But I'm sure that they can find a way to protect the stuff (clear partitions, velvet ropes, more observant guards, etc...) without limiting the amount of people who enjoy the museum. I mean, truth be told, it's difficult enough bringing people into museum, much less with that limit.
With that limit, I can never accept a full tour bus of tourists or a class of students for a tour of Casa Manila. I thought about dividing the tour into groups but that would just be upsetting for those who have to wait.
Oh well. I'm going to stop whining. I tried to make my point to them, but, never mind - I am flexible and I believe my script and theatrics will still deliver a good show - with or without the Casa Manila.
Oh, no! Sayang, my in-laws are going on your tour pa naman on the 20th. Even if they go inside on their own, they wouldn't know the history behind it without you; it would just be pieces of furniture. If your average number of guests per tour is 35, and their limit is 30, couldn't you just lower your Intramuros tour limit by 5 people so you could keep Casa Manila?
That's really too bad, Carlos. I count myself lucky that I was able to experience the full tour already.
Carlos, why not split the group (limit 60 of course), into 2, and so one group has merienda nearby while the other goes in?
It would be a tiny bit awkward, but not that awkward if you frame it right, and people know ahead of time.
I don't know the eateries in Intramuros very well, but if there is one that can take such a group regularly, maybe they can offer a special menu to complement the tour if people want it, so it adds to the "theatre" of the tour rather than taking away. Like maybe a sampler platter of traditional merienda foods -- mini-ensaimada with a slice of queso de bola, a shot of tsokolate, etc.
It would also offer an opportunity for people on the tour to get to know each other, which for tourists to the Philippines, who probably don't know anyone, would be a plus.
And hell, who DOESN'T like to eat?
Hi Carlos. This is really sad news. Im joining your tour this tuesday and was particularly interested about Casa Manila because I have not been there. What if there are les than 30 people in your tour group? Will you take them inside Casa Manila?
I would take them inside Casa if less than thirty. But many, if not, ALL - times that I do the tour, people just show up and I can't turn them away.
I will tell them the history of everything. But just outside the house instead.
I'm still hoping the management changes their mind soon.
And this Sunday, I am letting everyone try a halo halo as part of the deluxe tour before they go in...
I hope the new version is just as satisfactory...
You need to duplicate yourself. Maybe train an assistant for the Casa Manila portion. Or do an audio tour for that part.
OR go in with a group of 20. After the entresuelo, a second group of 20 will go in with the assistant who will do the entresuelo shtick, then they can just catch up with you upstairs.
Oh what the hell, just bribe the guards - I won't tell!
hey sayang! i really enjoyed ur casa manila spiel when i attended your tour last march. future tourists would be missing out! :-(
heya carlos nakita ko 2 site mo sa fhm magazine ko well ganda dami ko matutunan d2 lolz actualy nag start palang ako hehehe bisitahin mo namn yung ginawa ko at pahingi ng advice paano pa mapapaganda 2 blog ko hehehe ingat po lage god bless
-dhrex
Dhrex..anung date ung FHM Mag mu....just a little bit curious...want to read more about Mr. Celdran
-Ronnie
was in your tour today at CCP complex and I must say that it topped all the educational trips I had in gs and hs, haha. It really made me see the Marcos regime in a very very diff (notably positive) light and made me proud of our country in the 70s (a bit disappointing that everything is just history).
I wish every Pinoy could be part of your tours. I'll definitely be seeing the rest (am excited with Intramuros/Binondo/Quiapo!!!)
Nate
A friend of mine told how her foreigner clients enjoyed your Intramuros tour. I bet one of their unforgetable stops would be Casa Manila.
I was told that you are very entertaining and you made lesson in history sound exciting. My family will be joining your tour soon.
More power to you Carlos.
kuya sorry late reply ko this month po fhm ni krista ranilio
-dhrex
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