Carlos Celdran
Encyclopedia
Charles P. "Carlos" Celdran (born November 10, 1972) is a Manila tour guide, cultural activist, and performing artist. Growing up in Dasmariñas Village
, Makati, Philippines
, he began his art career at age 14 as a cartoonist for a local Manila newspaper, enrolling at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1991, where he began working in performance art. After university, he moved to New York City, where he lived an openly bisexual lifestyle. It was there that he first witnessed the effect of HIV
on the queer community, which eventually led to his reproductive health activism in the Philippines. He continued his career in the performing arts, interning as a production assistant with the Blue Man Group
and later working for other performing arts groups as a set designer and/or director. By 2000, Celdran was working as an assistant directors of the Heritage Conservation Society, a non-profit organization working towards preserving historical architecture. There he gained experience in directing historical tours, which set the stage for the launch of his own tour company "Walk This Way" in 2002. In 2005 he became the owner/director of an art exhibition space called The Living Room.
Carlos Celdran is an activist for HIV/AIDS awareness and reproductive health, organizing and appearing at events to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and reproductive health in the Philippines. On September 30, 2010, Carlos Celdran staged a protest action against Church opposition to the reproductive health bill. Dressed as José Rizal
, Celdran entered Manila Cathedral
during a mass, carrying a sign and shouting "Stop getting involved in politics!" before he was taken away by the police. Once outside the cathedral, Celdran told reporters that Church officials "need to hear what the Filipinos are saying: that 90 percent of the people want the RH [Reproductive Health Bill]." He was charged by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines with "offending religious feelings."
Carlos Celdran, in his role as a cultural activist, is commonly asked to comment in the local and international media on topics regarding Philippine society and culture.
, Makati, Philippines. His first foray into professional art began with a comic strip "Bar Sins" that he drew for Business Day newspaper at the age of 14. In 1987, Nonoy Marcelo
recommended him to the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas
, of which he became the youngest member. After comics, he worked as a t-shirt illustrator at a clothing store he co-founded with his sister and others.
, Diliman. After a year he transferred to the Rhode Island School of Design
. Initially seeking a degree in illustration, he experimented with textiles and weaving before deciding to major in painting. However, upon discovering that he was allergic to paint, he decided to complete his degree in performance art. While attending university, Celdran co-founded the Walang Pamagat Performance Art Company, a dance theatre group, working as artistic director. The group performed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines
, the Rhode Island School of Design, AS220
, the Bronx Museum of Art, and in San Miguel de Allende
, Mexico. In 1996, he won the Yvonne Force art award and graduated with honors from the Rhode Island School of Design.
After university, he moved to New York City, where he lived an openly bi-sexual lifestyle. He reported witnessing the effect of HIV on the queer
community: "I was living and working in New York in the '90s. Back then, when you meet someone at a bar, the line of questioning was always, 'What’s your name? What do you do? Where do you live? And are you HIV positive?'"
His experiences in New York City were formative for his later reproductive health advocacy.
According to Celdran, "My first job in New York was a cheese counter boy at Dean and Deluca. I was then transferred to the fish station after being caught eating the stock. I then started bringing my own soy sauce to work so that I could eat the fish raw as well. (Never hire an Asian to work at a fish store, what the hell were they thinking?)". That same year, Celdran got his initial exposure to world-class performance art when he interned as a production assistant with the Blue Man Group
. He continued his career in the performing arts, working in 1997 as a technical director for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company
, but was unable to secure a visa extension and therefore had to return to the Philippines.
Upon his return, he freelanced as a set designer/director for Ballet Philippines
and Actor's Actors, Inc. Celdran also volunteered for the Heritage Conservation Society, a non-profit organization working towards preserving historical architecture, and was involved with protests working against the destruction of historical buildings, such as the former Jai-Alai Building along Taft Avenue. By 2000, Celdran was working as one of the organization’s directors, where he discovered his talent for handling historical tours. This experience set the stage for the launch of his own tour company three years later.
His tour offerings have included "If these Walls Could Talk," a half-day walking tour of Intramuros
, wearing the Spanish-colonial garb of an illustrado and the "Living la Vida Imelda!" tour, where he dons bell bottoms for a tour of the 1970s-built Cultural Center of the Philippines. Past offerings have included half-day tours of Quiapo
and overnight tours of Corregidor Island. According to Time Magazine, "Celdran offers up rich narratives that are by turns gossipy (his account of Imelda Marcos
' rise and fall is hilarious) and compelling (the description of a bombed-out Manila, at the end of World War II, is unforgettable)."
(: Ugat ng Kalusugan), a nonprofit organization focused on improving the health of women, girls, and their communities, in Puerto Princesa, Palawan
.
, using the popular internet-based social networking site Facebook
to campaign for the bill and debate its opponents in 2008. Carlos Celdran spearheaded a petition requesting president-apparent Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino
to retain Department of Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral
in his cabinet. The petition stated that "We believe that continuity is necessary, especially when it comes to her progressive stance towards HIV/AIDS Prevention/Awareness and Reproductive Health." As of May 21, more than 200 netizens had signed it, applauding Cabral's "diligence," "honesty" and "balls to do what needs to be done." The request was not granted, as Enrique Ona
was appointed the new Department of Health Secretary, taking office on June 30, 2010.
, Celdran entered Manila Cathedral
during a mass with Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim
, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales
, the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Adams, and other bishops present, standing before the altar with a sign bearing the word "DAMASO" -- a reference to the villainous, power-wielding clergyman from Rizal's novel Noli Me Tángere
, which touches on the abuses of the Spanish friars during the 19th century. He shouted "Stop getting involved in politics!" before he was taken away by the police at around 4:30 p.m. Once outside, Celdran said the Church officials "need to hear what the Filipinos are saying: that 90 percent of the people want the RH [Reproductive Health Bill]."
At around 8:15 p.m. the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines filed charges against Celdran for violation of Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code, which prohibits "offending religious feelings." Sorsogon
Bishop Arturo Bastes, who previously headed the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate (CBCP-ECBA), said, "What is approved by people does not mean it is approved by God."
Celdran reported in a media interview following his arrest that "I kinda showed the [priests] what [civil disobedience] was like. The Millennium Development Goals of the Philippines hinge on controlling the population and maternal health, but they have done nothing but lie and blackmail...the Presidents and deprive the poorest of the poor of reproductive health services."
Within hours of his arrest, a "Free Carlos Celdran" fan page appeared on Facebook
, with over 25,000 fans joining in the first 48 hours. He was released from the custody of the Manila Police District on October 1 at 4 P.M. after posting bail of P6,000 (six thousand pesos or approximately US$140). "Celdran released; ‘Damaso’ draws raves in cyberspace" http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20101002-295505 Last accessed October 18, 2010.
He has been quoted on Philippine social issues in such media outlets as Time Magazine (commenting on the people's reaction to flooding caused by Typhoon Ketsana), The Huffington Post
(commenting on the 2010 Philippine presidential election
), and Forbes (commenting on the Philippine Reproductive Health Bill
).
Celdran has also been featured in the British culinary show Planet Food, in an episode featuring the cuisine of Manila.
On September 1, 2010, he appeared on a special edition of ABS-CBN News Channel
's Strictly Politics: Vox Populi, with other notable Philippine citizens in a round table discussion of the August 23 Manila hostage crisis
. During the discussion, he proposed burning a koran together with a bible for their contribution to mediocrity, during the interview, he blasted the imams of quiapo for teaching extremism "
In December 2010, Carlos Celdran was listed as one of the "Names You Need to Know in 2011" by Forbes Magazine.
Celdran became part of AksyonTV
's commentary program "Tayuan Mo at Panindigan" as a segment host.
Dasmariñas Village
Dasmariñas Village or simply Dasma, is a private subdivision and gated community in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It occupies 187.21 hectares and is bounded by Epifanio de los Santos Avenue to the north, McKinley Road to the northeast, Pili Avenue/Forbes Park South to the east, Maricaban...
, Makati, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, he began his art career at age 14 as a cartoonist for a local Manila newspaper, enrolling at the Rhode Island School of Design in 1991, where he began working in performance art. After university, he moved to New York City, where he lived an openly bisexual lifestyle. It was there that he first witnessed the effect of HIV
HIV
Human immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
on the queer community, which eventually led to his reproductive health activism in the Philippines. He continued his career in the performing arts, interning as a production assistant with the Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group is an organization founded by Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton. The organization produces theatrical shows and concerts featuring popular music, comedy and multimedia; recorded music and scores for film and television; television appearances for shows such as The Tonight...
and later working for other performing arts groups as a set designer and/or director. By 2000, Celdran was working as an assistant directors of the Heritage Conservation Society, a non-profit organization working towards preserving historical architecture. There he gained experience in directing historical tours, which set the stage for the launch of his own tour company "Walk This Way" in 2002. In 2005 he became the owner/director of an art exhibition space called The Living Room.
Carlos Celdran is an activist for HIV/AIDS awareness and reproductive health, organizing and appearing at events to promote HIV/AIDS awareness and reproductive health in the Philippines. On September 30, 2010, Carlos Celdran staged a protest action against Church opposition to the reproductive health bill. Dressed as José Rizal
José Rizal
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
, Celdran entered Manila Cathedral
Manila Cathedral
Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is also known as Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception or Basilica Minore dela Inmaculada Concepcion or Basilica Minore dela Nuestra Señora de Inmaculada Concepcion A Roman Catholic church having a higher status of "Minor Basilica" with...
during a mass, carrying a sign and shouting "Stop getting involved in politics!" before he was taken away by the police. Once outside the cathedral, Celdran told reporters that Church officials "need to hear what the Filipinos are saying: that 90 percent of the people want the RH [Reproductive Health Bill]." He was charged by the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines with "offending religious feelings."
Carlos Celdran, in his role as a cultural activist, is commonly asked to comment in the local and international media on topics regarding Philippine society and culture.
Early life and beginnings
Carlos Celdran grew up in Dasmariñas VillageDasmariñas Village
Dasmariñas Village or simply Dasma, is a private subdivision and gated community in Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines. It occupies 187.21 hectares and is bounded by Epifanio de los Santos Avenue to the north, McKinley Road to the northeast, Pili Avenue/Forbes Park South to the east, Maricaban...
, Makati, Philippines. His first foray into professional art began with a comic strip "Bar Sins" that he drew for Business Day newspaper at the age of 14. In 1987, Nonoy Marcelo
Nonoy Marcelo
Severino "Nonoy" Marcelo was a Filipino cartoonist born in Malabon, Metro Manila, Philippines, an alumnus of the Institute of Arts and Sciences from Far Eastern University, and a former cartoonist in the The Advocate , best known for creating the character Ikabod Bubwit Severino "Nonoy" Marcelo...
recommended him to the Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas
Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas
The Samahang Kartunista ng Pilipinas or SKP is an organization of comic strip cartoonists founded in 1978. It has been led by veteran Filipino cartoonists Larry Alcala, Hugo Yonzon Jr., Gene Cabrera, Edgar Soller, and Boy Togonon....
, of which he became the youngest member. After comics, he worked as a t-shirt illustrator at a clothing store he co-founded with his sister and others.
Higher education and early career
In 1990 Carlos Celdran enrolled in the Visual Communications Department at the University of the PhilippinesUniversity of the Philippines
The ' is the national university of the Philippines. Founded in 1908 through Act No...
, Diliman. After a year he transferred to the Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design
Rhode Island School of Design is a fine arts and design college located in Providence, Rhode Island. It was founded in 1877. Located at the base of College Hill, the RISD campus is contiguous with the Brown University campus. The two institutions share social, academic, and community resources and...
. Initially seeking a degree in illustration, he experimented with textiles and weaving before deciding to major in painting. However, upon discovering that he was allergic to paint, he decided to complete his degree in performance art. While attending university, Celdran co-founded the Walang Pamagat Performance Art Company, a dance theatre group, working as artistic director. The group performed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines
Cultural Center of the Philippines
The Cultural Center of the Philippines is a government-owned and controlled corporation established to preserve, develop and promote arts and culture in the Philippines. The CCP was established through Executive Order No. 30 s. 1966 by President Ferdinand Marcos...
, the Rhode Island School of Design, AS220
AS220
AS220 is a non-profit community arts center located at 115 Empire Street in Downtown, Providence, Rhode Island, USA. AS220 maintains 19 artist live/work studios, 4 galleries, a performance space, a community darkroom, and The Broad Street Studio. The mission is to provide a forum and home for the...
, the Bronx Museum of Art, and in San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende
San Miguel de Allende is a city and municipality located in the far eastern part of the state of Guanajuato in central Mexico. It is 274 km from Mexico City and 97 km from the state capital of Guanajuato...
, Mexico. In 1996, he won the Yvonne Force art award and graduated with honors from the Rhode Island School of Design.
After university, he moved to New York City, where he lived an openly bi-sexual lifestyle. He reported witnessing the effect of HIV on the queer
Queer
Queer is an umbrella term for sexual minorities that are not heterosexual, heteronormative, or gender-binary. In the context of Western identity politics the term also acts as a label setting queer-identifying people apart from discourse, ideologies, and lifestyles that typify mainstream LGBT ...
community: "I was living and working in New York in the '90s. Back then, when you meet someone at a bar, the line of questioning was always, 'What’s your name? What do you do? Where do you live? And are you HIV positive?'"
His experiences in New York City were formative for his later reproductive health advocacy.
According to Celdran, "My first job in New York was a cheese counter boy at Dean and Deluca. I was then transferred to the fish station after being caught eating the stock. I then started bringing my own soy sauce to work so that I could eat the fish raw as well. (Never hire an Asian to work at a fish store, what the hell were they thinking?)". That same year, Celdran got his initial exposure to world-class performance art when he interned as a production assistant with the Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group
Blue Man Group is an organization founded by Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton. The organization produces theatrical shows and concerts featuring popular music, comedy and multimedia; recorded music and scores for film and television; television appearances for shows such as The Tonight...
. He continued his career in the performing arts, working in 1997 as a technical director for the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company
Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company
The Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company is an American dance company based out of Harlem in New York City. Founded in 1983 by Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane, the company made its debut performance at the Brooklyn Academy of Music with the world premiere of Intuitive Momentum with lauded drummer...
, but was unable to secure a visa extension and therefore had to return to the Philippines.
Upon his return, he freelanced as a set designer/director for Ballet Philippines
Ballet Philippines
Ballet Philippines synthesizes diverse dance and movement forms, from classical ballet to avant-garde choreographies, from traditional to modern dance, from martial arts to aerial movements, into distinctively Filipino contemporary expressions....
and Actor's Actors, Inc. Celdran also volunteered for the Heritage Conservation Society, a non-profit organization working towards preserving historical architecture, and was involved with protests working against the destruction of historical buildings, such as the former Jai-Alai Building along Taft Avenue. By 2000, Celdran was working as one of the organization’s directors, where he discovered his talent for handling historical tours. This experience set the stage for the launch of his own tour company three years later.
Walk this Way
In 2002, Carlos Celdran founded Walk this Way, a company providing walking tours of Manila, a city which has been called "notoriously inhospitable to pedestrians". Celdran is the producer, director, and actor in a one-man, multi-venue costumed performance, leading patrons through the city as he alternately acts and narrates along the way. These performances contain theatrical elements, as well as comedy, costumes, and music to explain Philippine history. "My background is the arts; fine arts and performance art," he explained to BusinessWeek. "So I just decided 'why don’t I make it interesting for myself?' That’s why I added music, theater and comedy, fine-tuned the script into a performance and so it became interesting for me". The tours put special emphasis on issues surrounding Philippine arts, culture, and international geopolitics in order to place Philippine history within a global context.His tour offerings have included "If these Walls Could Talk," a half-day walking tour of Intramuros
Intramuros
Intramuros is the oldest district in the present day city of Manila, the capital of the Republic of the Philippines. Nicknamed the "Walled City", Intramuros is the historic fortified city of Manila, the seat ot the government during the Spanish Colonial Period. Its name in Latin, intramuros,...
, wearing the Spanish-colonial garb of an illustrado and the "Living la Vida Imelda!" tour, where he dons bell bottoms for a tour of the 1970s-built Cultural Center of the Philippines. Past offerings have included half-day tours of Quiapo
Quiapo, Manila
Quiapo is a district and city square of Manila. Referred as the "Old Downtown", Quiapo in known for where cheap buys or goods are being sold at rock-bottom prices and was the home of the Quiapo Church, where the feast for the Black Nazarene is held, with over millions of people attending...
and overnight tours of Corregidor Island. According to Time Magazine, "Celdran offers up rich narratives that are by turns gossipy (his account of Imelda Marcos
Imelda Marcos
Imelda R. Marcos is a Filipino politician and widow of 10th Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Upon the ascension of her husband to political power, she held various positions to the government until 1986...
' rise and fall is hilarious) and compelling (the description of a bombed-out Manila, at the end of World War II, is unforgettable)."
The Living Room
Since 2005, Carlos Celdran has been the director and owner of an art exhibition venue. Described as a "living-room-cum-art-space", and called The Living Room, it hosted its first exhibition on December 10, 2005. It hosts fine art exhibitions, art performances, and film screenings. In addition, it has facilities for up to two artists-in-residence.Civic involvement
Carlos Celdran serves on the advisory committee of Roots of HealthRoots of Health
Roots of Health is a nonprofit organization focused on improving the health of women and girls, and their communities, in Puerto Princesa, Palawan, in the Philippines...
(: Ugat ng Kalusugan), a nonprofit organization focused on improving the health of women, girls, and their communities, in Puerto Princesa, Palawan
Palawan
Palawan is an island province of the Philippines located in the MIMAROPA region or Region 4. Its capital is Puerto Princesa City, and it is the largest province in the country in terms of total area of jurisdiction. The islands of Palawan stretch from Mindoro in the northeast to Borneo in the...
.
Sexual and reproductive health advocacy
Carlos Celdran is an HIV/AIDS awareness activist, appearing in an interview on a popular Manila entertainment magazine for World AIDS Day 2009. He also advocates for family planning, and since 2003 has routinely distributed condoms and birth control pills to residents of squatter communities when leading tour groups past them. He was a strong supporter of the Reproductive Health BillReproductive Health Bill (Philippines)
The Reproductive Health bills, popularly known as the RH Bill, are Philippine bills aiming to guarantee universal access to methods and information on birth control and maternal care. The bills have become the center of a contentious national debate. There are presently two bills with the same...
, using the popular internet-based social networking site Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
to campaign for the bill and debate its opponents in 2008. Carlos Celdran spearheaded a petition requesting president-apparent Benigno "Noynoy" Aquino
Benigno Aquino III
Benigno Simeon Cojuangco Aquino III , also known as Noynoy Aquino or PNoy, is a Filipino politician who has been the 15th and current President of the Philippines since June 2010....
to retain Department of Health Secretary Esperanza Cabral
Esperanza Cabral
Esperanza A. Icasas Cabral was the Secretary of the Department of Health in the Philippines. She took office in January 2010 replacing Dr. Francisco Duque after his appointment as head of the Civil Service Commission. Before her appointment as Secretary of Health, she was previously the Secretary...
in his cabinet. The petition stated that "We believe that continuity is necessary, especially when it comes to her progressive stance towards HIV/AIDS Prevention/Awareness and Reproductive Health." As of May 21, more than 200 netizens had signed it, applauding Cabral's "diligence," "honesty" and "balls to do what needs to be done." The request was not granted, as Enrique Ona
Enrique Ona
Enrique T. Ona is the current Philippine Secretary of Health. On June 29, 2010, President Benigno Aquino III picked him as his Secretary of Health.-Background:Dr. Ona hails from Pagadian City, Zamboanga del Sur...
was appointed the new Department of Health Secretary, taking office on June 30, 2010.
September 2010 Arrest
On September 30, 2010, Carlos Celdran staged a protest action against Church opposition to the reproductive health bill. Dressed as José RizalJosé Rizal
José Protacio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda , was a Filipino polymath, patriot and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. He is regarded as the foremost Filipino patriot and is listed as one of the national heroes of the Philippines by...
, Celdran entered Manila Cathedral
Manila Cathedral
Minor Basilica of the Immaculate Conception is also known as Minor Basilica of Our Lady of Immaculate Conception or Basilica Minore dela Inmaculada Concepcion or Basilica Minore dela Nuestra Señora de Inmaculada Concepcion A Roman Catholic church having a higher status of "Minor Basilica" with...
during a mass with Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim
Alfredo Lim
Alfredo Siojo Lim is the incumbent Mayor of the City of Manila and a former senator of the Philippines. A widower, he first served as mayor of Manila from 1992 to 1998 and returned to that post after winning in the 2007 mayoral election.-Early life and career:Born on December 21, 1929 in 1324 J...
, Manila Archbishop Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales
Gaudencio Cardinal Rosales
Gaudencio Borbon Rosales was a Roman Catholic Cardinal Archbishop of Manila, succeeding Jaime Sin in 2003, and followed by Luis Antonio Tagle. He was also Metropolitan of the ecclesiastical province of Manila, de facto Primate of the Philippines , Archpriest of Manila Cathedral...
, the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Edward Adams, and other bishops present, standing before the altar with a sign bearing the word "DAMASO" -- a reference to the villainous, power-wielding clergyman from Rizal's novel Noli Me Tángere
Noli Me Tangere (novel)
Noli Me Tangere is a novel by Filipino polymath José Rizal and first published in 1887 in Berlin, Germany. Early English translations used titles like An Eagle Flight and The Social Cancer, but more recent translations have been published using the original Latin title.Though originally written in...
, which touches on the abuses of the Spanish friars during the 19th century. He shouted "Stop getting involved in politics!" before he was taken away by the police at around 4:30 p.m. Once outside, Celdran said the Church officials "need to hear what the Filipinos are saying: that 90 percent of the people want the RH [Reproductive Health Bill]."
At around 8:15 p.m. the Catholic Bishops Conference of the Philippines filed charges against Celdran for violation of Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code, which prohibits "offending religious feelings." Sorsogon
Sorsogon
Sorsogon is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region; it is the southernmost province in Luzon and is subdivided into fourteen municipalities and one city. Its capital is Sorsogon City and borders the province of Albay to the north...
Bishop Arturo Bastes, who previously headed the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines-Episcopal Commission for the Biblical Apostolate (CBCP-ECBA), said, "What is approved by people does not mean it is approved by God."
Celdran reported in a media interview following his arrest that "I kinda showed the [priests] what [civil disobedience] was like. The Millennium Development Goals of the Philippines hinge on controlling the population and maternal health, but they have done nothing but lie and blackmail...the Presidents and deprive the poorest of the poor of reproductive health services."
Within hours of his arrest, a "Free Carlos Celdran" fan page appeared on Facebook
Facebook
Facebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
, with over 25,000 fans joining in the first 48 hours. He was released from the custody of the Manila Police District on October 1 at 4 P.M. after posting bail of P6,000 (six thousand pesos or approximately US$140). "Celdran released; ‘Damaso’ draws raves in cyberspace" http://services.inquirer.net/print/print.php?article_id=20101002-295505 Last accessed October 18, 2010.
In the media
Carlos Celdran, in his role as a cultural activist, is commonly asked to comment in the local and international media on topics regarding Philippine society and culture.He has been quoted on Philippine social issues in such media outlets as Time Magazine (commenting on the people's reaction to flooding caused by Typhoon Ketsana), The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post
The Huffington Post is an American news website and content-aggregating blog founded by Arianna Huffington, Kenneth Lerer, and Jonah Peretti, featuring liberal minded columnists and various news sources. The site offers coverage of politics, theology, media, business, entertainment, living, style,...
(commenting on the 2010 Philippine presidential election
Philippine presidential election, 2010
-Timeline:The COMELEC-mandated election period for this election was from January 10 to June 9, 2010.-2008:*August 26 - Then Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Bayani Fernando announces bid for presidency....
), and Forbes (commenting on the Philippine Reproductive Health Bill
Reproductive Health Bill (Philippines)
The Reproductive Health bills, popularly known as the RH Bill, are Philippine bills aiming to guarantee universal access to methods and information on birth control and maternal care. The bills have become the center of a contentious national debate. There are presently two bills with the same...
).
Celdran has also been featured in the British culinary show Planet Food, in an episode featuring the cuisine of Manila.
On September 1, 2010, he appeared on a special edition of ABS-CBN News Channel
ABS-CBN News Channel
ABS-CBN News Channel or better known as ANC is the Philippines first 24-hour news channel broadcasting both in cable television domestically and in satellite television internationally via The Filipino Channel, owned and operated by the ABS-CBN Corporation under its ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs...
's Strictly Politics: Vox Populi, with other notable Philippine citizens in a round table discussion of the August 23 Manila hostage crisis
Manila hostage crisis
As the Hong Thai Travel Services tour bus was taking on the 25 Hong Kong tourists in front of Quirino Grandstand in Rizal Park, Rolando Mendoza attempted to follow the tourists onto the tour bus, requesting a free ride. When his request was declined by the driver, Mendoza brandished a weapon,...
. During the discussion, he proposed burning a koran together with a bible for their contribution to mediocrity, during the interview, he blasted the imams of quiapo for teaching extremism "
In December 2010, Carlos Celdran was listed as one of the "Names You Need to Know in 2011" by Forbes Magazine.
Celdran became part of AksyonTV
AksyonTV
AksyonTV is a 24-hour non-stop news and sports-related channel in the Philippines. Owned and operated by Associated Broadcasting Company, it occupies the frequency previously used by MTV Philippines, a subsidiary of Nation Broadcasting Corporation...
's commentary program "Tayuan Mo at Panindigan" as a segment host.
External links
- Video clip of Al JazeeraAl JazeeraAl Jazeera is an independent broadcaster owned by the state of Qatar through the Qatar Media Corporation and headquartered in Doha, Qatar...
's Veronica PedrosaVerónica PedrosaVeronica Pedrosa was the lead news presenter at the Kuala Lumpur broadcast centre 2005-2010 of Al Jazeera English, an international news network....
on the "Living la Vida Imelda!" tour of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, featuring content related to former first lady, Imelda MarcosImelda MarcosImelda R. Marcos is a Filipino politician and widow of 10th Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos. Upon the ascension of her husband to political power, she held various positions to the government until 1986...
, conducted by Carlos Celdran. English Al Jazeera - Walk this Way website
- The Living Room website
- Free Carlos Celdran Facebook fan page