Carlos Celdran

In October 2019, Albay Representative Edcel Lagman (who was the author of the RH Bill) filed House Bill No. 5170 (or the "Carlos Celdran Bill") in Congress, which seeks to repeal Article 133 and, according to Lagman, would uphold the right to freedom of speech and expression (which are guaranteed in the Philippine Constitution) and separation of church and state in the Catholic-majority country of the Philippines. A petition was also launched at Change.org to push the bill's ratification.

Celdran died of cardiac arrest on October 8, 2019, in Madrid, Spain. His widow, Tesa Celdran, confirmed the death.

Celdran graduated from high school at Colegio San Agustin – Makati. He graduated from the University of the Philippines Diliman with a fine arts degree, and from the Rhode Island School of Design with honors and a performance art degree in the 1990s, during which time he also worked various jobs "from cheese-counter boy to fish-station boy, from production assistant of a performance group, to technical director of a dance company".

He was also known for engaging in a controversial protest, known colloquially as his "Damaso stunt", in the Manila Cathedral in September 2010, leading to his arrest for "offending religious feelings" as per Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code. In January 2019, the conviction forced Celdran to go on self-exile in Madrid, Spain, where he died of cardiac arrest on October 8 of that year.

Celdran made national headlines after he interrupted an ecumenical meeting that was held in the Manila Cathedral in September 2010, in protest of the Philippine Catholic Church's perceived interference with the passage of the enacted Reproductive Health Bill. He had worn a José Rizal outfit, raised a placard that read "Damaso" at the altar, and is quoted as saying "Stop getting involved in politics!" Celdran's stunt, known colloquially as his "Damaso stunt", led to his arrest for "offending religious feelings" as per Article 133 of the Revised Penal Code. In January 2019, Celdran went into political exile in Madrid, Spain where he subsequently resided until his death.

John Charles Edward "Carlos" Pamintuan Celdran (November 10, 1972 – October 8, 2019) was a Filipino artist, tour guide and cultural activist. He was known for "Walk This Way", a guided tour of the Manila districts of Intramuros, Binondo, and Quiapo using a combination of music, visuals, and history lectures to immerse tourists into what was life like during the Spanish and American colonization periods of the Philippines.