The Jeepney… A Sweet and Historic Filipino Ride



A variation of the jeepney horse art deco with the horse resembling the fabled Pegasus



 

If Ferrari has the prancing horse as its mark of luxury and exclusivity and Lamborghini has the Spanish fighting bull as its symbol of strength and power , in the Philippines the “work horse” is the exclusive art deco on the hoods (and sometimes on side  bumpers and tail lights, yes the horses come in herds) of the country’s king of the road – the Jeepney. 

 

How it all started

The Jeepney, the undisputed public utility transport in the Philippines, is a product of Filipino ingenuity back in the mid 1940’s when the American GIs left their military jeeps after the world war. It started with only 4 passengers but over the decades, the jeep has transformed and has stretched dramatically to accommodate 22 passengers. Like the iconic Tuktuk of Thailand, the Jeepney is a must try for tourists visiting the country for the first time. 
 



The "classic look" of a typical jeepney horse art deco

 

The Work Horse Art Deco - Popularity Boom and Decline

Sarao Motors, one of the first manufacturers of jeepneys, started putting metal horses on the hood of the jeepney as a symbol of speed and hard work. Over the years, the horses have increased in number on jeepney hoods like a miniature Marlboro commercial especially in the  70’s and 80’s, however, they have decreased in the 90’s and saw the decline in its presence in the 2000’s. Today, it’s a rarity to see these metallic creatures with the jeepneys adopting  sleeker designs opting the art deco out. 

 

They are still out there… Horse-spotting

If you are keen on spotting these horses, you will see that they are not yet extinct. There are some jeepney owners who still like the nostalgia of those little shiny figurines vibrate when the engine is revved up.

If you have the option to choose a jeepney to ride, hail one that still has “horses” on the hood.  It’s your connection to the grand past of the jeepney and the golden years of the art deco work horses. 

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