Philippine Jeepney Arts Festival and Parade 2012

Colorful jeeps on a jeep For at least a couple of hours, people at the streets of EDSA and Ayala Avenue got a surprised and delighted look w...

Colorful jeeps on a jeep

For at least a couple of hours, people at the streets of EDSA and Ayala Avenue got a surprised and delighted look when they saw a group of colourful and artistic jeeps roam the streets. For a while they stopped what they were doing and stare, take a picture with their mobile phones or simply admire the moving steel canvasses zooming past their sights. About 43 rehabilitated jeeps have undergone a makeover in the hands of a few creative volunteers for the first ever Jeepney Arts Festival. Reviving the Filipinos creativity and ingenuity represented by the Philippine Jeepney.

Panning one of the jeep as it rolls out of Mall of Asia

A Batanes inspired jeepney

The Philippine Jeepney

If people would ask me what would represent the Philippines as an icon, the jeep would definitely be one of them. This eponymous vehicle, which is the most popular form of transportation in the Philippines, has its beginnings from the US military jeeps used during World War II. Filipino ingenuity upgraded its design by adding a tailgate to accommodate more people since Filipinos love big groups and company. But the jeeps as is looks drab by itself so to reflect Filipinos fun-loving and cheery disposition they decorated the jeeps ostentatiously. Making sure they get noticed even before the jeepney’s horns scream its “beep beep”

Passengers enjoying the ride

About 43 jeeps participated in this art festival

Rehabilitating the Jeepney Culture

The Jeepney Arts Festival and Parade not only aims to rehabilitate old jeeps with new designs but also aims to change the image of the Jeepney Culture itself. Lately jeeps and jeepney drivers have been painted in a bad light as arrogant, reckless, dirty and no regard for traffic. The Festival also gave lecture and workshops to drivers to be better on what they do.

Beautiful patterns here

The Federation of Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association of the Philippines (FEJODAP) were tapped to take part in this event. Their spruced up jeepneys would soon be making their rounds again on their respective routes around Metro Manila.

This white jeep filled with doodles is also my favorite

Artist Recognition

I definitely enjoyed looking at each of the jeep designs. There were a lot that I really liked especially those doodle parts. The theme of was “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” in line with Department of Tourism’s (DOT) campaign so there were a lot that illustrated the tourist destinations around the country. Since the many artist who volunteered showed a lot of heart, the organisers decided to award artist behind the top 3 with the best artworks.

Despite the event being short, I do hope they have another one next year. Probably filled with more activities to keep other guest entertained and certainly more jeepneys! Next year, I will start my Manila hotel booking early so I don’t miss this exciting event.

This jeep won third place with its highly realistic airbrush art and typhography

This jeep came in 2nd place

I heard the students from EARIST had to stay up all night to finish this before the parade. Great doodle!

The winning jeep goes to this black one. And I agree since I really like how the artwork felt like a painting on canvass

I am especially impressed with this sarimanok sculpture made of spoons which they created a few hours before the parade started

Kudos to these three creative guys for the great work of art