Jeepney Arts Festival something ‘more fun’ balikbayans can enjoy at home

In a report by Athena Imperial on GMA News' 24-Oras, the Jeepney Arts Festival (JAF) 2012 in Makati showcased the skills of Filipino artists when they gave 50 jeepneys a design makeover.

 

“This one is a celebration of our Filipino artistry, ingenuity, resiliency and entrepreneurship,” said Clang Garcia, JAF organizer.

 

Garcia also mentioned that the JAF wanted to make Manila more pleasing to the eyes.

 

“Ang objective nga natin dito is to beautify Manila and make it as a roving museum of arts and culture and transform it into a tourism canvass,” she said.

 

The festival, held from September 20 to 22, adhered to the Department of Tourism's “It’s More Fun in the Philippines” slogan in promoting Philippine tourism.

 

The JAF was participated by a hundred people and aimed to “bring back the old glory days of fun and vibrant jeepneys” according to Jeepney Art Festival’s official site. 

 

Robert Ongsy, a jeepney driver whose vehicle was designed with glow in the dark colors, was excited with the makeover.

 

“Masaya po kami dahil gumanda po yung aming mga jeep at wala nap o kaming paaayusan,” he said.

 

There were various concepts by the participants which were highlighted with their colorful designs featuring Filipino culture, tradition and tourist destinations.

 

Some of these were paintings of Filipino animals and places like the tarsier, Philippine eagle, Puerto Galera and Tagaytay.

 

There were also modern abstract styles, Filipino games, heroes such as Jose Rizal and Lapu-Lapu and Philippine celebrations like Maskara and Moriones festival.

 

After the festival, the newly painted jeeps traversed the streets from Pasay and Makati to display the beauty of Filipino art. — with Drei Medina/RSJ, GMA News