Newly-redesigned Jeepney Kitchen and Food Bank hits the road on World Food Day

Through a fruitful collaboration with the Far Eastern University Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts (FEU IARFA), Rise Against Hunger Philippines’ Jeepney Kitchen and Food Bank now sports a brand new, festive look thanks to students and faculty who lent their time and fine artistry from the conceptualization of the design to the actual painting of the jeepney. This redesign project, which aims to enjoin students and faculty in the fight against hunger by showcasing their creativity through volunteerism, was months in the making and eventually culminated in an unveiling ceremony just in time for the celebration of World Food Day in October.

Right after its launch, the revamped jeepney swiftly headed down to Gota De Leche, an NGO based in Manila, for its inaugural outing, serving hot meals to over 300 nutritionally at-risk individuals in the area. Student and faculty volunteers got to swap their art brushes with ladles this time around and served yummy adobo and buttered veggie rice meals to the community.

Featuring Higantes festival figures with local delicacies, fruits, and vegetables, the new look of the jeep heavily drew inspiration from Philippine fiestas and was pitched by Fine Arts student Hazel Ann Gonzales. “Ginamit ko ‘yong iba-ibang festivals sa Pilipinas, tsaka mga lokal na food para makilala ‘yon ng mga tao,” Gonzales says. (I made use of different festivals in the Philippines and local cuisines so people can recognize them.)

For faculty staff Red Bernardo, this project is something the students can be proud of in the years to come. “Kahit mahirap, sinasabi ko sa kanila hindi ito pucho-pucho project… ‘Pag makasalubong nila yung jeep sa daan… pwede nila tapikin yung katabi nila para sabihin, ‘Uy, kami gumawa niyan!’” (Even though it’s difficult, I always tell them that this is not a small-time project… Whenever they see the jeepney on the road, they can tap the person next to them and say, ‘Hey, we made that!’)

Studio Arts student Chiela May Bibit was also delighted to volunteer for this project, especially since it’s her first time working on something like this. “Mga banderitas yong ginawa ko, pero maski na hindi naman ganon kalaki contribution ko, parang ang laking accomplishment para sa akin. At malaki yung impact.” (I worked on the flaglets, it wasn’t that much of a contribution but it still feels like such an accomplishment to me. And the impact was really great.) 

Without a doubt, this masterpiece plastered on the jeepney kitchen has definitely reinvigorated Rise Against Hunger Philippines’ drive to serve more meals, travel to more areas, and reach more communities!