Jeepney Art: From Modernity to Tradition

We sat down with two jeepney artists to talk about their artistic process and what goes on behind the scenes.

Written by Erika Anne Sulat

Bando Arts

Bando Arts is a group of mural artists based in Cavite. Their works can be seen in malls, private companies, and various public places in the Philippines. In 2024, they were approached by Jeepney X to paint electric jeepneys for an advertising campaign.

Painting to Revive

The project entails painting Filipino traditional jeepneys that have been converted into electric jeepneys. Wanting to champion Filipino culture, Bando Arts incorporated Filipino landmarks and indigenous traditional patterns into the designs they hand-painted on the jeepneys. They also used digital art in the process, through their mock-ups. They worked on these jeepneys for three days in the Jeepney X warehouse, using a combination of hand-painting and spray-paint.

Bandonillo adds that this initiative was to revive the color designs of the old jeepneys and incorporate them to modern jeepneys. Another point that he brings up is that modern jeepneys tend to look like buses now, which leaves behind the unique customs that the traditional jeepneys have.

This collaboration was the first time Bando Arts painted jeepneys. As they are used to painting on concrete walls, they had to do thorough research on how to paint on metal. They had to be more precise and extra thoughtful on placements.

“–medyo mahirap kasi kailangan precise yung mga brush stroke mo. Syempre may mga curve part yung mga jeepneys natin. Saka kung saan mo ip i-place yung art mo, kung saan magandang placing. Kasi, medyo specific lang, may limited spaces lang tayo for jeepneys na pwede natin gawa ng art,” He explains.

Artistry in Mobility

For Bandonillo, jeepney artistry is a representation of art in the streets. Unlike murals that are typically limited to one place only, jeepney artistry actually roams the streets.

Buhay Signboard TV

Enrico “Mang Rico” Briones, also known as Buhay Signboard TV on his social media accounts is a 66 year old jeepney signboard painter and vendor from Cainta Rizal. Having been inclined to the arts as a boy, Mang Rico’s main source of income is through his lettering skills. He often posts on his TikTok and Facebook account chronicling his life and artistic process when creating signboards or lettering.

Art as Livelihood

Mang Rico earns through selling his painted signboards of jeepney stops along the street. Most of the time, he even has to rush in the middle of the street just to sell signboards. Sometimes jeepneys would stop in the street to buy from him. His signboards range from 20 to 50 PHP depending on the size.

Sometimes, Mang Rico would also be commissioned to paint on jeepneys to letter the routes and relevant information written on the sides and front of the jeepneys. On one video of his, he records his experience painting on a jeepney in the middle of a rainy day.

He mentions that when doing lettering, especially when on a rush, there’s no more sketching or pre-emptive measures, it’s straight to painting. 

Unfortunately, Mang Rico also explains that jeepney lettering isn’t much of a profitable occupation, even before the modernization program.

“Marami na ring gumagawa at nagtitinda ng signboard. Digital na rin ang ibang gumagawa ng Signboard at bagsak presyo pa para sa kanila bumili.”

Lettering on Social Media

Mang Rico states that he started his social media presence because he wanted to spread awareness about the work he does. 

“Nagamit ko ang social media dahil ito lang ang alam kong madaling paraan para mapansin ang munti kong hanap-buhay bilang sign board vendor.”

On a video, he also mentioned that he wanted to showcase his knowledge of lettering and to those who want to learn more about it. He also takes lettering requests from his audiences, as well as promoting keychains that feature his lettering.

When asked about the jeepney modernization program, Mang Rico states that he would prefer that traditional jeepneys remain so it can help his traditionally made signboards, however he would gladly accept the work if modern jeepneys were to commission his work.