Resorts World Manila announces 10 finalists for 2016 Pinoy Ultimate Jeepney Competition

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

MANILA, Philippines – Resorts World Manila (RWM) has selected the 10 student artists who will be vying for the top spot in the 2016 Pinoy Ultimate Jeepney (PUJ) Design Competition.

The 10 finalists are: Vittorio Alfonso Bautista (University of the Philippines), Christopher Lao (University of Sto. Tomas), Jane Saquibal (College of Saint Benilde), Mary Angelic Trabajal (Far Eastern University), Mary Jo Reantaso (FEU), Vincent Eskye Quicci Custodio (FEU), Gabriel Tito Gapay (FEU), Joephel Patanao (Mapua Institute of Technology) , Jerome Miguel Suba (Mapua Institute of Technology), and Marisa Laudinez (ICCT Colleges).

First launched in 2010, the PUJ Design Competition has turned 46 artist concepts into mobile works of art, many of which are still actively plying their routes around the metro.

Going beyond promoting arts and culture, PUJ has also helped uplift and develop the best traits of the Filipino through the jeepney drivers, whose vehicles were selected as the mobile canvasses for the competition. The PUJ drivers were given professional training and character development seminars to help make them better citizens, enhance the riding experience of their passengers, and make them role models among professional drivers.

With the theme “Magical Philippines,” RWM empowers students to create their own magic and make their own luck by sharing their ideas on how they hope to see the nation transform as illustrated on roving canvasses of fully-functional jeepneys that drive around the tourist-heavy NAIA Terminal 3 airport routes.

“We had many strong entries and shortlisting the top 10 designs was a challenge,” says Jay Sia, PUJ judge and Halimaw! artist. “Visually, they were all stunning, so you look at the finer details and the practicality and practicability of the designs. The ornamentation has to be durable enough to withstand the jeepney’s workload.”

Two of the finalists, Jane Saquibal of CSB and Jerome Suba of FEU, were delighted to be in the top 10 and are looking forward to seeing their design concepts materialize on the mobile canvases.

“Jeepneys have been a part of our culture. It’s basically an icon for transportation here,” Jane said.  “I feel like you can find people from different walks of life in a full jeepney ride. If the walls of a jeepney could talk, it may never ever shut up.”

Following the theme, Jerome used magical Filipino tales and characters are the main inspiration for his team’s design.

“We aim to set passengers out on a whimsical tour while experiencing Philippine fiction within the jeepney,” he said. “It is important to revive jeepney art because since the Philippines is the only country with jeeps roaming around, we should represent our culture through its designs so that everyone who sees it gets to have a glimpse of our country’s wonders.”

The top 10 PUJ designs will be produced and prominently displayed in Newport Mall beginning December 14 as part of RWM’s Grand Fiesta Manila yuletide celebrations. Winning entries will receive cash prizes totaling P600,000.00. The winners will be announced on December 17.