“With Christ in my Jeepnee I can drive through the storm (Beep-beep)…drive through the storm (Beep-beep)…drive through the storm (Beep-beep)! With Christ in my Jeepnee I can drive through the storm (Beep-beep)…until He guides me home!”
In Africa, it was mango trees and the Hokey Pokey. In the Philippines, it's vessels, jeepnees and choruses of “this is the day.” No matter what country we go to, the enrapture of singing is the same. And we are always asked to sing. But this past Saturday at the AWANA program here in Malaybalay, I learned a new tune. And it may just be my new favourite.
This song started out about when Christ is with you in your vessel, you smile at the storm, then came the part about Christ with you in your Jeepnee, and my heart was stolen at that moment. For those of you who don't know what a Jeepnee is…let me give you a little glimpse.
Okay, first, imagine an old World War 2 jeep. Now, make that extra long in the back. Sort of like a stretch jeep limo of sorts. But old school.
Next, imagine the most ridiculous, outrageous paint jobs ever. Literally any color, design, logo. You can paint your Jeepnee with a Disney princess motif, complete with a picture of Jesus on the driver door. Or maybe you would like to paint some flames on the side, and some extra cool lime green racing stripes. The sky is your limit with painting jeepnees. Just make sure it's extra ridiculous.
Third step, interior. There are two benches that face each other inside a Jeepnee. Your customer jumps in the back of this party wagon, and slide down to their seats. The sides are open windows looking out onto the street. Be sure to add black lights, red lights, green lights, and maybe some blue lights to your shopping list to outfit the inside of your stylish Jeepnee. You're trying to create a mood and atmosphere here.
Also, you may want to invest in some awesome, colorful trim to decorate the driver and passengers seat. Knit patterns are frequent and acceptable adornments. Be sure to cover most of the windshield space with decorations, leaving the bare minimum amount of space to see the road. It's much more adventurous with more blind spots, of course. Maybe have a theme for the inside of your Jeepnee in mind, like Batman, or Australia.
Finally, be sure to equip your Jeepnee with a prime-o sound system. This is crucial to your Jeepnee ride. The music must be full blast at all times, the bass thudding and shaking like an earthquake. This completes your party bus motif, and you ensure your passengers a jolly time aboard your Jeepnee.
Of course, you always also need to add the finishing bling to the outside of your Jeepnee as well. Oversized hood ornaments are highly acceptable and recommended, as well as large horns all over the roof or hood of the car. You could even bedazzle the outside to add that extra little sparkle to attract your customers!
And folks, there you have it…a full fledged Filipino Jeepnee! Now sit back, and enjoy the noisy, but extremely fun ride on the party bus of your life.
Okay, while this description seems a little over the top, I promise you that is what is rolling around the streets here in the Philippines, along with quite a few other fun options of public transportation. Jeepnees are by far my favourite mode of public transportation so far. Seriously. I absolutely love it. It's a ridiculous kind of creativity, but it's ingenious. How they have turned old automobiles from World War 2 into one of the main forms of transportation. So if you ever find yourself in the Philippines, be sure to jump on one of these exciting Jeepnees and enjoy the chaotic, but hilarious ride of a lifetime. For seven to ten pesos, you can't beat it!
