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The vast city of Manila is striking for its colorful Jeepneys, a complex array of vehicles imported from Japan, which have become the primary mode of transportation in the Philippine capital.
These brightly colored and stylish cars are an "icon" of Manila.
If Thailand has tuk-tuks and Vietnam has cyclos, then the Philippines has Jeepneys. Jeepneys are the name given to a type of homemade vehicle in the Philippines, with the engine taken from old Jeeps. The body is "modified" and extended to the rear with two rows of seats facing each other. Each vehicle can carry up to 20 people. The interior, which carries passengers, is quite similar across the vehicles, while the exterior is a testament to the drivers' boundless creativity, with incredibly vibrant images and colors.
The delegation visited the workshop where the famous Jeepney is made entirely by hand.
Each Jeepney costs approximately 630,000,000 pesos.
In Manila, Jeepneys crisscross every nook and cranny, serving as the primary form of public transportation, but they are absent in Makati District, a district with numerous high-rise buildings, upscale apartment complexes, and large shopping malls, a space typically reserved for taxis.
Jeepneys don't have fixed stops. Hai Ha, a member of the group, shared: "If you want to catch one, go to the nearest intersection. That's where Jeepneys drop off and pick up passengers." According to other members of the group, because it's public transportation, you need to be quick and have small change ready. The vehicle is always crowded with people getting on and off, and it travels very fast. When riding a Jeepney, remember to hold on tight and sit still because it goes fast and brakes suddenly, which could cause you to be thrown forward if you're not used to it.
Jeepneys have become an iconic mode of transportation in Manila. You can see Jeepneys everywhere, and almost every souvenir shop sells Jeepney models.
The group visited St. Joseph's Church, a sanctuary that houses a unique "treasure."
Next, the group visited St. Joseph's Church, which houses another cultural highlight of the area: the world's only bamboo organ. Father Diego Cera spent eight years building it, from 1816 to 1824. According to locals, an annual festival honoring this organ is held from February 18th to 28th. It has a total of 1031 bamboo tubes, 902 of which are made of bamboo and the rest of metal. If you close your eyes and listen to the hymns in St. Joseph's Church, you wouldn't imagine those mystical sounds coming from bamboo.
A one-of-a-kind bamboo organ
Mall of Asia - one of the largest shopping malls in Asia.
The members of the group enjoyed shopping to their heart's content at the Mall of Asia shopping center.
And on this trip, don't miss a delightful afternoon at Mall of Asia, where you can begin your fun shopping spree and end with a delicious seafood feast at Viking restaurant on the beautiful and picturesque Manila Bay.
A friendly and cozy seafood feast marked the end of the third day of the Amazing Photo Tour.
