This signed original watercolor painting is from my “Bayad Po” series.
12”x12”
In 7th grade, I moved to the Philippines and attended high school for about a year and a half. During this time, I learned to drive and was able to galavant to nearby towns via public transit. In the Philippines, this was either by Jeepney or Tricycle. I discovered what it felt to be independent at 12 years old, giving my bayad (payment) to the person next to me, who would then pass it down to the driver.
“Bayad po” I whispered timidly, new to the language.
Several hands moving seamlessly from one person to the next until it reached the front of the vehicle. Along the way, we’d pass people who would spot the Jeepney or Trike and yell “Para po!”. The driver would stop if we had room and they would hop on.
To me, Jeepneys symbolize not just independence but rebirth. We reclaimed these military jeeps for our own public transportation after World War II. What once trapped us, now frees us.
This piece does not come framed.
This signed original watercolor painting is from my “Bayad Po” series.
12”x12”
In 7th grade, I moved to the Philippines and attended high school for about a year and a half. During this time, I learned to drive and was able to galavant to nearby towns via public transit. In the Philippines, this was either by Jeepney or Tricycle. I discovered what it felt to be independent at 12 years old, giving my bayad (payment) to the person next to me, who would then pass it down to the driver.
“Bayad po” I whispered timidly, new to the language.
Several hands moving seamlessly from one person to the next until it reached the front of the vehicle. Along the way, we’d pass people who would spot the Jeepney or Trike and yell “Para po!”. The driver would stop if we had room and they would hop on.
To me, Jeepneys symbolize not just independence but rebirth. We reclaimed these military jeeps for our own public transportation after World War II. What once trapped us, now frees us.
This piece does not come framed.