EPISODE · Oct 23, 2025 · 15 MIN
EP 33: Filipino Jeepneys ride with pride
from Auto Ethnographer with John Stech · host John Stech
Two weeks ago John Stech, host of The Auto Ethnographer, traveled from Bangkok to the Philippines to visit his wife’s family. Together with them, we traveled from Manila to the center of Luzon and then to La Union on the northwest corner of the island. There was much to see but one thing was a constant: the hard working Jeepney. This episode focuses on that Filipino icon.Jeepney’s are unique to the Philippines. They originated from the Willys military Jeep, thousands of which were left behind by the United States Army at the end of World War 2. These vehicles were modified by lengthening their wheelbase, adding long benches in the bed, covering the seating with a roof, and then customizing them by the owner.The result is the wildly colorful Jeepney, a rolling mural, a cultural icon on Filipino roads. Each is unique in style, in color, and in expression. Emblazoned with the owner’s name over the windshield, and the route and destination under the windshield, riders know immediately which Jeepney to take.Passengers are wide-ranging from students to office workers to laborers, and even tourists. Whether passengers sit inside, or stand on the rear bumper platform, there is always space for one more. Luggage? On the roof. These versatile vehicles get everyone and everything where they need to go.The Auto Ethnographer shares what he saw, his impressions, and what he learned about the humble, yet mighty, Jeepney during his five days on the island.The Auto Ethnographer features a daily post of Unusual Cars in Unusual Places on the podcast’s Instagram and Facebook. Links below.https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364For further information on the Auto Ethnographer, please visit the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.comAlso follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographerKeep on driving!#jeepney #philippines #cultureshock #expatlife #workabroad #jeep
What this episode covers
Two weeks ago John Stech, host of The Auto Ethnographer, traveled from Bangkok to the Philippines to visit his wife's family. Together with them, we traveled from Manila to the center of Luzon and then to La Union on the northwest corner of the island. There was much to see but one thing was a constant: the hard working Jeepney. This episode focuses on that Filipino icon. Jeepney's are unique to the Philippines. They originated from the Willys military Jeep, thousands of which were left behind by the United States Army at the end of World War 2. These vehicles were modified by lengthening their wheelbase, adding long benches in the bed, covering the seating with a roof, and then customizing them by the owner. The result is the wildly colorful Jeepney, a rolling mural, a cultural icon on Filipino roads. Each is unique in style, in color, and in expression. Emblazoned with the owner's name over the windshield, and the route and destination under the windshield, riders know immediately which Jeepney to take. Passengers are wide-ranging from students to office workers to laborers, and even tourists. Whether passengers sit inside, or stand on the rear bumper platform, there is always space for one more. Luggage? On the roof. These versatile vehicles get everyone and everything where they need to go. The Auto Ethnographer shares what he saw, his impressions, and what he learned about the humble, yet mighty, Jeepney during his five days on the island. The Auto Ethnographer features a daily post of Unusual Cars in Unusual Places on the podcast's Instagram and Facebook. Links below. https://www.instagram.com/auto.ethnographer/ https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567929329364 For further information on the Auto Ethnographer, please visit the homepage at https://www.auto-ethnographer.com [https://www.auto-ethnographer.com/] Also follow on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-auto-ethnographer Keep on driving! #jeepney #philippines #cultureshock #expatlife #workabroad #jeep
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EP 33: Filipino Jeepneys ride with pride
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