The Philippine Jeepney

The ubiquitous Jeepney. Part bus, part off road vehicle. The Jeepney is synonymous with the Philippines. After World War II, the Filipinos were left with surplus US Jeeps. The Filipinos used these vehicles for transportation, and accepted riders for a modest fee. Over the years Filipinos improvised and altered these vehicles akin to "pimp my ride". Many are lavishly (or garishly) decorated with names of routes, loved ones, religious icons or Disney characters. Many of the jeepneys that roll through Manila's streets are 50 to 60 years old.

Over the years the Jeepney has evolved, and soon the next generation will be e-Jeepneys.

The Jeepney is a relatively cheap way to maneuver through the streets of Metro Manila

Back to the Philippines!

(Greg 1979 on Mactan Island)

The off season in Ogunquit signals us to start our winter adventures. This year, I have decided to return to the Philippines. I lived in the Philippines in 1978 - 1979. Back then it was an exotic place full of intrigue and surprise. Metro Manila a cosmopolitan city with millions of people, and the country side with a more simpler way of life. The diversity of these two ways of life was amazing to me back then. 

Cebuanos building a boat. April 1979...