10 Incredible Facts The Jeepney Has Revealed About Filipinos

Aside from dogs that are considered to be man's best friend, here in Manila, you might as well count a jeepney to be one of your closest 'friend'. Why? You ride on them daily when you go to school or work. You wait for them everytime you go home. Funny because you learned what traffic really means because of them. You know that everytime you pull the string inside it'll momentarily stop for you. You might also have seen 'Hudas' not pay and got oriented that a 'driver is a sweet lover' too. If you are particular with all these things, then you are indeed a jeepney buddy and a certified, true Pinoy.

Okay. Let's say you now already know everything about the jeepneys. But did you know that these colorful, noisy kings of the road have an unexpected origin? Each of them is unique, sticker-covered while some parts are polished metals so it will go shining and shimmering under the naked afternoon sun. But did you know that its design speaks more about our beliefs, traditions and identity as Filipinos?



Again, I rode another jeepney today. Actually not just once but three times. But unlike my last road trip, this one became a serious ride. When I say serious, it's more about thinking Ambeth Ocampo's book, Rizal Without the Overcoat. This time it's going to be: A Jeep Without the Roof. I know it's an absurd idea to remove the roof away but symbolically, it's about visualizing the jeepney's amazing details and design, like putting the whole thing under a study lamp.

The Overwhelming Ride Back to History

The unexpected birth of jeepneys can be traced as early as the American occupation here in the Philippines during the 1940’s. Jeep, as what it was first known, this tough vehicle was first used by the American military forces which only has a limited capacity to carry 4 people.

Long after that period, the legacy of the jeep still remained until its great innovation has started to flourish in the 1950s.

Sarao Motors, one of the pioneers of its current design, remodeled and upsized this old four-seater jeep so it could accommodate more people. By placing long benches on both sides; surprisingly, it could now accommodate up to 22 passengers!

Moreover, according to theories, the word jeepney is a product of two words that were dovetailed: the Jeep and the jitney.

Morris Resnick's Jitney Service Circa 1927 : Courtesy of Bea Newman

The Jeepney: The All-in-One Filipino Representation

Aside from knowing that today's jeepneys are made from second hand truck engines from Japan, there are few things that you might have forgotten to know.

They are not just merely structured pieces of galvanized metal that you can see running along the streets; but, they mirror the true Filipino identity.

Here are some little things that you might find inside and outside the jeepney and here's what you might want to think about after seeing them:

1. The hot and loud stickers and flamboyant random designs

Jeepneys are known for its colorful design; thus, it appears to be like a mini-gallery filled with random reflections of Filipino artistry.

On the early 90's most of them were painted with some of the Philippines’ scenic spots like mountains, rivers and falls. You can see various illustrations of the Mayon Volcano, the Rizal Monument, the Banawe rice terraces and other famous landmarks. If not scenic spots, jeepney owners sometimes prefer to put some of their beloved Philippine animals like the Philippine eagle, the tarsier, a picture of heard of horses running together, as well as dolphins and carabaos.

But since jeepney art has evolved through the years, jeepney artists have learned to adapt western influences too. Images from Hollywood movies, Disney characters, marvel superheroes and even anime have become more dominating now than those Philippine-themed designs.

2. An extension of one's religion

Inside the jeepney, especially in front near the driver's seat, you might see images of saints, the Virgin Mary, the Sto. Nino and some other things that represent one's faith. You might see rosaries hanging on the front mirror too. In some cases, you can also see figures of the Buddha.

On the body, you might as well be able to spot the same things. Whether it be an image painted intricately or artistically crafted using various stickers.

The jeepney indeed is a representation of one's belief system. This goes to show that Filipinos have faith, do believe in God and are religious people too.

'Servant of God' - written on the jeepney's mud guard

3. The Jeepney as the new-improved calesa

During the Spanish period until the time the American came to the country during the Second World War, calesa (carriage) dominated the streets of Manila and some other cities of the country.

But nowadays, jeepney is now the new version of it. Why new version? Take a look at some other details that might have been copied from this horse-powered carriage:

The calesa is said to be the forefather of the present jeepney

Both of them have this original Art Nouveau design on the side. Even the way the roof was built is the same too. Mere coincidence? I don't think so.

4. Bandiritas project a more exciting image

Bandiritas or small flags are usually used in fiestas and other Filipino celebrations. These colorful little pieces sometimes can usually be found flying on a moving jeepney.

Bandiritas and the Jeepney

Aside from giving the jeepney a fun side, these small flags represent Filipino's love of fiestas and celebrations. This also denotes 'happiness'.

5. The 1940's Cadillac fenders

Not so close enough but jeepney fenders mimic this 1940 Cadillac design.

1941 Cadillac Coupe Fender

The present jeepney fender

Americans were here in the country on the 1940s so no wonder if we have semi-Cadillac jeepneys too! This is not just the only western influence we have though.

6. The Philippines beloved flowers: the Sampaguita and Ilang-ilang

These two Philippine-grown flowers are commonly being hanged from the front mirror near the driver’s seat. These diffuse a mild delicate scent that usually offers anyone a moment of pleasure.

Aside from being more affordable than commercial air fresheners, the Sampaguita symbolizes  Filipino's value for fidelity, purity, dedication and strength. Whereas, Ilang-ilang may symbolize harmony and positivity.

Sampaguita and Ilang-ilang strung together

7. The (Flying) Horses

Sarao Motors, has been making jeepneys since 1953 and to add more uniqueness to their work, they put another remarkable piece that represents one more Filipino long-lived trait.

In some jeepneys, you might still find these aluminum-made, miniature horses standing just on top of the engine cover in front. Most likely, these picture a galloping, walking or even a flying horse—those that has wings.

An aluminum-made miniature horse standing on top of the engine cover

Horses usually symbolize the Filipino hard-working spirit. It also stands for our love for freedom, our passion, and strong motivation.

8. Crowded seating arrangement

It is never a positive thing if you feel like you could just barely move while you’re inside a jeepney. As much as possible the driver wants it to be jam-packed with passengers—avoiding even the narrowest spaces to be left empty. Why? The more people he can accommodate, it’s going to be an additional earnings for him.

Though each trip always starts like putting people into a huge can or jar that all must fit in before totally closing the lid, jeepneys would have been more of a symbol of unity than plain overcrowdedness. While inside it too, you won't say: "Ugh, don't wanna seat with you, give me some space." Here, you will be sharing a seat with everyone even you think you are superior.

Thus, a jeepney displays equality. Everyone is welcome for a ride, no matter how rich or poor a person is.

An overcrowded jeepney

9.  A freedom of expression

No wonder why Filipinos were known to be one of the world's most emotional people. We are expressive and always wanted to be heard and to be listened to.
No matter what that thing is—important or not, we just want to say or share it.

Inside or outside a jeepney, you might find and read some placards that could cause you to think; but most of the time, it always lift a smile on your face.

 "If you are sexy, your fare is free... as long as you sit with driver."

10. Drivers—not just 'sweet lovers'

This is no longer about the jeepney alone but it’s now about the person behind this popular vehicle—the jeepney drivers.

Noticeably, these drivers are all great multitaskers. They could give directions, collect all the fares and give an accurate change at the same time. They could even monitor who might have not paid yet. They also do the job of waving passengers along the streets while doing all the talkies: “Sakay na, maluwag pa! (Come on in, there are still some space inside)”

A jeepney driver

The Jeepney: Despite the Controversy

Jeepneys are blamed for the traffic and air pollution that they cause

Aside from being part of Philippine folk art and being admired for its incredible designs, jeepneys also became a subject of controversy nowadays.

As a matter of fact, jeepney art is now on the edge of losing its glory. Most of the time, people perceive this type of vehicle as one of the contributors of environmental pollutants because of the huge amount of Carbon Monoxide they produce. Instead of being loved as a colorful piece of art, they are disliked by many because of the heavy traffic that they are causing. On the other hand, though jeepney drivers would have been the greatest multitaskers, their habit of breaking the traffic rules disgusts most of us.

But despite of these negative impressions, jeepneys are still the undisputed kings of the road after all. Undisputed I believe because they are timeless and are meant to last a lifetime. They have been here for decades and they keep on evolving as time goes by.

We don't know how these vehicles might look like 10-20 years from now. Its details keep on changing. Its image also has started to deviate from the original. Media and technology have now become its greatest influences nowadays.

Overall, jeepneys are still one of the great symbols of the Philippines' complicated culture. It’s a moving art gallery that mirrors our true identity. It's just that we are too busy to notice its small details; which most of the time, these details unravel some lost stories of the past that could explain who we really are today.