Page Title
The Jeepney (dyipni)
Heidi M. Pascual*
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
Publisher & Editor
* 2006 Journalist of the
Year for the State of
Wisconsin (U.S.-SBA)
By Heidi M. Pascual
Filipinos are a very resourceful people. They have been creating things out of nothing in order to
provide for themselves and their families. The world famous jeepney (dyipni) is one of their creations …
a cheap means to transport people and goods in towns and cities throughout the country. It has
become a symbol of Filipino ingenuity and history. It came long before the idea of any mass transit
came to mind.
The jeepney’s origin can be traced back to World War II when the U.S. military brought in vehicles to
move military personnel and supplies around. These vehicles sans roofs, popularly known as jeeps,
were auctioned off to locals after the war. Those who bought or received them saw the feasibility of
transforming these jeeps into public utility vehicles. They remodeled them, extended their length to
accommodate more than 20 passengers, added a roof for protection against the elements, and
decorated the whole according to the owner’s taste. From the barest to the most colorful designs, the
jeepney has become a work of art for all to see and admire. One can even read original poetry or
beautiful slogans painted inside a jeepney while enjoying a ride.
Filipinos are a very resourceful people. They have been creating things out of nothing in order to
provide for themselves and their families. The world famous jeepney (dyipni) is one of their creations …
a cheap means to transport people and goods in towns and cities throughout the country. It has
become a symbol of Filipino ingenuity and history. It came long before the idea of any mass transit
came to mind.
The jeepney’s origin can be traced back to World War II when the U.S. military brought in vehicles to
move military personnel and supplies around. These vehicles sans roofs, popularly known as jeeps,
were auctioned off to locals after the war. Those who bought or received them saw the feasibility of
transforming these jeeps into public utility vehicles. They remodeled them, extended their length to
accommodate more than 20 passengers, added a roof for protection against the elements, and
decorated the whole according to the owner’s taste. From the barest to the most colorful designs, the
jeepney has become a work of art for all to see and admire. One can even read original poetry or
beautiful slogans painted inside a jeepney while enjoying a ride.
UNABLE TO CONTINUE WORKING?? There should be help. Social Security Disability and SSI - Programs designed to help individuals who are disabled from work. IF YOU APPLY FOR SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY AND/OR SSI AND YOU ARE DENIED, THERE IS HELP! Call 1-800-254-7766 |
its sides or on a sign board in front of the
vehicle. Unlike buses with designated
stops, jeepneys can be hailed just about
anywhere along their route. If you want to
catch a jeepney ride, just wave your arm to
indicate your wish to board the jeepney,
and off you go.
One thing of caution though. Have a
hankie to cover your nose and mouth. The
traffic in city streets can saturate the air
with tons of jeepney exhausts, especially
from those with diesel engines.
Oh well, things just offset each other in
ways we can’t see.
But the future is getting bright. I heard
that a new breed of jeepneys that would
be made according to environmental
standards for less greenhouse
emissions and less-gas use, will soon hit
the Philippine market. I look forward to
clicking my camera again when I see it
and enjoying the ride when that happens!
vehicle. Unlike buses with designated
stops, jeepneys can be hailed just about
anywhere along their route. If you want to
catch a jeepney ride, just wave your arm to
indicate your wish to board the jeepney,
and off you go.
One thing of caution though. Have a
hankie to cover your nose and mouth. The
traffic in city streets can saturate the air
with tons of jeepney exhausts, especially
from those with diesel engines.
Oh well, things just offset each other in
ways we can’t see.
But the future is getting bright. I heard
that a new breed of jeepneys that would
be made according to environmental
standards for less greenhouse
emissions and less-gas use, will soon hit
the Philippine market. I look forward to
clicking my camera again when I see it
and enjoying the ride when that happens!
The most important contribution of the jeepney to the Filipino
society, however, doesn’t have anything to do with art. The
jeepney has become a major source of jobs for millions of
Filipinos after the war and beyond. While jeepney shops
provided livelihood to automotive-skilled workers, big jeepney
operators provided jobs to millions of drivers who’d otherwise
be out of work due to lack of jobs locally. The jeepney has also
provided the masses of the Filipino people with the cheapest
means of transportation. It is a hardworking vehicle that
transports goods and people from one town to another, or from
one province to the next, at very reasonable rates. It is the poor
man’s car for all intents and purposes. Public markets
everywhere highlight the work that jeepneys do from dawn to
dark. They carry vendors and buyers alike, products and goods
from farms, even ready-made goods from Divisoria (Manila's
bulk-product retailer place) and warehouses from everywhere.
Every public utility jeepney has a designated route written on
society, however, doesn’t have anything to do with art. The
jeepney has become a major source of jobs for millions of
Filipinos after the war and beyond. While jeepney shops
provided livelihood to automotive-skilled workers, big jeepney
operators provided jobs to millions of drivers who’d otherwise
be out of work due to lack of jobs locally. The jeepney has also
provided the masses of the Filipino people with the cheapest
means of transportation. It is a hardworking vehicle that
transports goods and people from one town to another, or from
one province to the next, at very reasonable rates. It is the poor
man’s car for all intents and purposes. Public markets
everywhere highlight the work that jeepneys do from dawn to
dark. They carry vendors and buyers alike, products and goods
from farms, even ready-made goods from Divisoria (Manila's
bulk-product retailer place) and warehouses from everywhere.
Every public utility jeepney has a designated route written on
The jeepney has become a symbol of Filipino
ingenuity and culture.
ingenuity and culture.