The Art of Riding the Philippine Jeepney
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The Philippine Jeepney
The Philippine jeepney is one of the major means of transportation in the country. The original design is based on the army type jeep which was used during World War II. But by opening the back and adding seats, the Philippine jeepney was born.
Design Your Own Jeepney
To the basic design, each jeepney owner adds his/her own ornaments and this makes every jeepney a colorful, flamboyant and playful expression of the owner's personality.
The front part have decors ranging from horns to horses while the side parts usually have paintings of some family members or some religious icons.
Sometimes, the jeepney even expresses the owner's philosophy and/or beliefs.
It is not uncommon to see phrases like: "gift of God", "katas ng Saudi" or "Allelulia" painted on the jeepney's body especially the back part.
The Art of Riding a Jeepney - Getting On and Off
The jeepney usually seats 12 - 20 people depending on the size. At the back of the jeepney, people are seated side by side facing each other while the front seat can carry 2 more passengers.
Because of the design of the jeepney, one also has to be creative in getting on and off as one can see in the following pictures. This has become a form of art, thus the title of this hub.
Getting On/Off at the Back Part of the Jeepney
Getting On at the Side Part of the Jeepney
The Art of Riding a Jeepney - Creating Space
How to
get a ride even if the jeepney is already
full is also another art form. Some provincial jeepneys place a long bench in the middle of
the back aisle to fit in more passengers. But some people even occupy
the roof while others hold on to railings at the back. You will be amazed
at how a 20-sitter jeepney can carry an extra 5 or 10 more people plus some baggage.
Try Riding a Jeepney
Riding a jeepney is an experience like no other. If you are fond of traveling and trying new things, then this is one experience that is worth trying.
Experience how people interact. Experience how people pay the fare while inside a jeepney. Sometimes there is only a driver who amazingly knows if somebody has not yet paid his/her fare. Sometimes the driver has an assistant who either sits in front or at the back.
Some jeepneys are also equipped with loud music so you have to pull a string that is connected to a light near the driver. When you pull the string, it signals the driver that you want to get off.
Once you learn to ride a jeepney, then it develops into an art - the art of riding a jeepney.
CommentsLoading...
Hi coffeesnob,
Thank you for being the first one to comment my friend. I'm happy that you enjoyed your jeepney rides.
I have always enjoyed photos of these vehicles. You have some great ones here. Very creatively decorated. Adds a bit of spice to the road. Thanks!
Hello James,
Thank you for dropping by and leaving a comment. I didn't know that you are familiar with these vehicles. That's great!
Yes, the decorations in these vehicles are really something. In some provinces for example, some jeepneys are even shaped and decorated to look like limos and ferraris and other expensive cars. I still have to take pictures of these however.
Man ! Those look so cool , I really gotta get out to the Phillipines sometime and take in the local sights . Jill if I ever get out there you are gonna have to take me on a jeepney !
Tony,
If and when you do get here, I promise to take you on a jeepney ride. You really must try it!
Thanks for dropping by!
Wow, this is really cool, I enjoed your Hub and photos. Thanks for sharing it.
for those who have not tried riding in the jeepney, you should try it, it would be fun:)
Hi Tatjana,
I'm happy that you enjoyed this hub.
Thank you for dropping by and leaving a comment.
If you do get a chance to visit the Philippines, then you should try a jeepney ride. It's fun! I can even accompany you.
Hello midnightbliss,
Yes, riding a jeepney is fun! I especially love observing the people while on board.
Are you from the Philippines?
The jeepneys are awesome. It amazes me how the driver can keep track with everyone getting on and off all the time. The tricycles are fun to, though not allowed on the highway any more in Lapu Lapu City.
Hi milynch43,
Yes, jeepney drivers are really amazing. You sound like you have ridden the jeepney several times.
I don't enjoy riding in a tricycle that much because they are so cramped. However, riding them is a totally different experience too. It can be fun for some but a nightmare for others.
Thanks for the visit and the comment.
All the best!
Hey jill, great hub and topic. The king of the road rules!
Hi Emie,
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a comment. You are right, even with the presence of trains, the jeepney is still king of the road in many places here.
Wow - at one time on my vacay to see relatives in the Philippines, I enjoyed the jeepney ride - it's just captivating! Great hub on the subject - it brought me great memories!
Great Hub... I love riding in a jeepney especially in front seat.
Great Hub... I love riding in a jeepney especially in front seat.
Hi talfonso,
Great! So you are also another jeepney fan? I'm glad you enjoyed your ride.
Thanks for the visit and comment.
Hello GeneralHowitzer, you are right, front seat is great especially if you want to see where you are going. However, if you want to observe people, then back seat is better.
Thank you for visiting and leaving a comment.
Excellent hub. It remains me of TUK TUK in thailand so much. Thank you for sharing.
Hi LizzyBoo,
Yes, the jeepney is a little bit similar to the tuktuk of Thailand except that the jeepney is more colorful.
Thanks for the visit and comment.
Nice hub and informative. I like the colour of the Jeepney.
Thanks very much jacobkuttyta! Yes, they are very colorful.
Wow, there is a science to this. :) Jeepney's look cool.
Hi festersporling1,
Yes, jeepneys are cool! Thanks for the visit and comment.
i am currently based in canada and i miss riding the jeepney so much. riding the bus cannot compare with the experience of riding the jeepney. it is such a wonder how we can manage our time and get around the city without the jeepneys having a predetermined schedule of arrival and departure.
i miss the experience of riding the jeepney. how the jeepneys are full of life - how passengers from all walks of life meet in the jeepney and fill it with chatter, laughter, giggles..
Hello pinoyconnection,
How long have you been in Canada? Maybe you can come home for a visit again and re-experience the jeepney ride. That will be fun!
Thank you for dropping by!
You've created something cool here ;)
wanna try these, lol.^^
Hi regality,
Yes, do try the jeepneys! I'm sure you will not forget the experience.
Happy New Year!
hahaha way to go with our adorable jeepneys! Your presentation is both informative and entertaining. Blessings:)
Thanks very much dayzeebee! It's nice to see you again!
Finally, a tribute to that great Filipino cultural symbol. You make the jeepney proud with this hub. Two thumbs up, way way up! :D
Hi Cris,
It's good to see you here! You are right, the jeepney is indeed a Filipino cultural symbol. It's really a part of our way of life.
Thank you very much for your inspiring comment!
jill of alltrades,
Very nice jeepney photos. I'm proud to be here. I'm a Filipino.
Hi Lita,
It's nice to meet another Filipino here!
Thank you for dropping by and leaving a comment.
Jill of all trades, WOW,they have certainly got more custom and colorful since the 70s. I always own jeeps here in the states and the Jeepney's were some fun. Thanks for updating me on these, 50
Hello 50,
Oh, so you are familiar with jeepneys? That's great!
Yes, the jeepneys nowadays have become more colorful.
Thanks for dropping by and leaving a wonderful comment!
God bless!
I love the Jeepneys, except when I am trying to navigate my own car around them!!! I don't usually travel in them, being around six feet three inches tall getting in and out and finding space can be very difficult..
As you say, it never amazes me how many people they can get in and on to a jeepney. The Tricycles (motorbikes with home made "sidecars") are even more amazing, I never thought that it would be possible to transport 10 to 15 people using one bike!!!!
Hello LeanMan,
Thank you very much for your visit and heartwarming comment!
You are right, with your height, you will really have a hard time getting on and off a jeepney. Hahaha! That's why I have photos of getting on and off a jeepney.
The same is true about the tricycle. These two means of transport are not meant for tall people. Both are amazing though in terms of the number of people they can carry.
Thanks again for dropping by!
God bless!
I love Jeepneys! Thank you very much for your hub.
Hello adventuregirl,
That's great! I take it you are a regular jeepney rider?
Thanks for the visit and upbeat comment! See you around!
God bless!
i have here a link for foreigners who doesn't know much about jeepneys. http://trifter.com/asia-pacific/philippines/only-i
Hello psepheroth,
Thank you very much for the visit and for sharing the link.
You are a big help!
God bless!
Whoa! I can't see Bob fitting in one of those! But he was a lot thinner back in his Navy days. Kind of reminds me of some taxi cabs I've seen in Mexico City and Guadalajara.
It does look like a fun ride though. Great photos as usual!
Hi Lela,
Hahaha, I know you would react that way!!!
I'm happy to see you here!
Well, getting into a taxi is a lot easier than getting on and off the jeepney! That's why I call it an art! I'm sure Bob told you about it if he ever tried to get into one! Haha!
Thanks again!
God bless!
Just to let you know that i used your jeeepney hub, as part of my presentation for the young fil-aussie campers. They enjoy it, it is a yearly camping activities for the Filipino -Australian youth so that they will be aware of their culture and heritage. In two years time we are saving and planning to bring the kids to the Philippines as an outreach project. Thanks for making this hub.
Hello MM,
Wow! That's wonderful to know! Thank you! I'm really happy that you are able to make use of this in your presentation! That is a commendable undertaking. Hoping and praying for your success!
God bless!
coffeesnob Level 1 Commenter 2 years ago
Oh-The jeepney rides are such a thrill! Oh yeah! you can't be a back seat driver? Those drivers know where to go, how to get there and the best manuevering techniques to get through the traffic - and it is sometimes quite the ride! Wheee! Wonderful article and great pics -brings back memories.