Fiestang Kuliat is the annual city fiesta of Angeles City in Pampanga, a festive October celebration in honor of Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary. Among its most distinctive events is the Calesin Tilbury Race, where horse-drawn carriages called calesin, or tilbury, race through the streets in a friendly contest of speed and skill.

The race is more than a competition. The calesa was once everyday transportation in Kapampangan towns, and the decorated carriages, well-kept horses, and experienced drivers turn the event into a moving showcase of local heritage that draws crowds of spectators along the route.

The photos in this post are from the 2018 edition of the Calesin Tilbury Race, taken during that year’s Fiestang Kuliat celebration in Angeles City.




For another beloved Pampanga festival tradition, see the Giant Lantern Festival 2016 Winners in the City of San Fernando.