Resorts World Manila’s PUJ winners make commuting cool and cultural

[Editor’s note: The following is a press release from Resorts World Manila]

A team of industrial design students from the Mapua Institute of Technology (MIT) were named as the grand champions of 2016 Pinoy Ultimate Jeepney (PUJ) Design Competition during awarding ceremonies last December 17 at Resorts World Manila (RWM).

The MIT team led by Jerome Miguel Suba won over the judging panel which unanimously ranked their winning design “Biyahiwaga” as the top entry in a meticulously shortlisted field of six, taking home the P300,000.00 grand prize. “Biyahiwaga” is a virtual museum on wheels that showcases Philippine legends, landscapes, and flora and fauna.

A highlight of RWM’s Grand Fiesta Manila holiday festivities, the PUJ Design Competition celebrates Filipino talent, culture, and heritage through jeepney art by Filipino student artists. Now on its sixth year, PUJ has received countless recognition for its contribution to the promotion of arts and culture.

Following the Grand Fiesta theme “Magical Philippines”, the 2016 PUJ designs showcase elements from Filipino myths and legends, as well as references to contemporary and historical experiences.

“The quality of the designs that made it to this year’s PUJ finals was absolutely phenomenal. The winning team in particular was able to clearly depict our theme and the execution was very well done,” says Stephen Reilly, Chief Operating Officer of Resorts World Manila and one of the judges for PUJ. “Having the concurrence of one of our top tourism officials and of highly respected names in Philippine art really validates our choice.”

Joining Reilly as PUJ judges were Hon. Tomasito Umali, Chief Tourism Operations officer of the Department of Tourism, Toym Leon Imao, visual artist and WW2 relic collector and restorer, Albert Labrador, professional photographer and founding member of the Philippine Living History Society, and Jay Sia, sculptor and owner of Halimaw! Sculptures.

“Ang Karwahe ni Itotoro” by the design team from the College of Fine Arts of the University of the Philippines impressed the judges with their well-researched references to indigenous mythology and art. The UP team was named first runner-up, receiving P200,000.00. The College of St. Benilde’s entry “Ang Pag-alala sa Hiwaga ng Pusong Pilipino” won over the online vote with their “skin tattoo” concept and depiction of Filipino heroes and artists, garnering the People’s Choice Award and P100,000.00.

Through PUJ, RWM has realized 62 design concepts by artists from various colleges and universities into mobile works of art since its inception in 2010. Many of the jeepney units from past competitions can still be seen actively plying their routes.

PUJ has become an annual art competition for student artists and their schools, with a portion of the winners’ cash prizes to be given to their respective schools for the promotion of arts and culture education.

The 2016 Pinoy Ultimate Jeepney exhibit is open to the public daily until January 4, 2017. The exhibit is located at GF, Newport Mall, Resorts World Manila. For more information, contact the Tourist/Visitor Hotline at (02) 908-8833 or visit www.rwmanila.com.