The Popemobile has always been the Holy See’s staple ride everytime he’s on the road, waving and interacting with the devotees. Over the years, this sleek holy heap has undergone a lot of changes and “pimping up”, including safety features and custom functions dedicated to the needs of the Pope to ensure riding comfort while roaming the cities he visits.
In the recent decades, Mercedes Benz has been the top favorite amongst Pope Francis’ predecessors. And along with the said car manufacturer that first built the Popemobile in the 1930s, many other car giants also got the chance to build one and had pledged to create the perfect vehicle cover-worthy car for the supreme pontiff. Most of them offer air-conditioning, bulletproof body and even revved-up engines.
This time, during his visit in the Philippines, absolute simplicity ensues with the touch of Filipino flavor… The Pope Jeepney!
The Jeepney-inspired Popemobile will be the “official” vehicle of the supreme pontiff for his entire visit in the Philippines. Three custom-built rides were commissioned to drive His Holiness around town. Along with this Jeepney Popemobile, a custom-built Isuzu D-Max will be also used for some of his trips in Manila, while the other Popemobile – A South Korean-made – will be used for his visit to the Haiyan-stricken province of Leyte in Visayas.
The Pontifex’ jeepney-converted diesel-powered chariot awaits and is expected to transport the pontiff around the city. In contrast to the usual colorful characteristics of the Philippine jeepney, the airbrush-laden vehicle was transformed into an all-white profile with the Pope’s coat of arms emblazoned onto the jeep’s long hood.
The typical 20-seater back passenger seat was converted into a spacious platform with three seats to accommodate the Supreme Pontiff and two of his constituents. The open-style windows conflicts the usual bulletproof glass enclosure that of the usual Popemobiles. This particular feature was specifically done in accordance to Pope Francis’ request to ride a vehicle that doesn’t encase him in a sardine can-like bulletproof glass.
Reminiscent of those “real” Jeeps that we usually see pampered and cloaked with Jeep covers in your next door neighbor’s garage, jeepneys are loosely taken from U.S.-issued Willys MB vehicles that were left behind by the American military after World War II. A back tub for passengers is then being replaced with a larger, longer and wider one to accommodate commuters.
Soon after, these refurbished jeeps became one of the most important modes of transportation in the Philippines. And thanks to Leonardo Sarao’s ingenuity, the mass production of jeepneys revolutionized transportation and commuting means, as well as the industrial and economic state of the country.
Albeit the origin of the jeepneys were loosely ripped-off from the rubbles of American surplus duting the World War II, it was fully-embraced by the Filipinos to the extent that it became a symbol of Philippine culture, art, hardwork and walk of life.
Pope Francis visits the Philippines from January 15 to January 19, particularly in Manila and Leyte Province.
What to do you think about the Philippines’ version of the Popemobile? Share us your thoughts about this by leaving a comment!
In the recent decades, Mercedes Benz has been the top favorite amongst Pope Francis’ predecessors. And along with the said car manufacturer that first built the Popemobile in the 1930s, many other car giants also got the chance to build one and had pledged to create the perfect vehicle cover-worthy car for the supreme pontiff. Most of them offer air-conditioning, bulletproof body and even revved-up engines.
This time, during his visit in the Philippines, absolute simplicity ensues with the touch of Filipino flavor… The Pope Jeepney!
The King of the Road meets His Holiness
The Jeepney-inspired Popemobile will be the “official” vehicle of the supreme pontiff for his entire visit in the Philippines. Three custom-built rides were commissioned to drive His Holiness around town. Along with this Jeepney Popemobile, a custom-built Isuzu D-Max will be also used for some of his trips in Manila, while the other Popemobile – A South Korean-made – will be used for his visit to the Haiyan-stricken province of Leyte in Visayas.
The Pontifex’ jeepney-converted diesel-powered chariot awaits and is expected to transport the pontiff around the city. In contrast to the usual colorful characteristics of the Philippine jeepney, the airbrush-laden vehicle was transformed into an all-white profile with the Pope’s coat of arms emblazoned onto the jeep’s long hood.
The typical 20-seater back passenger seat was converted into a spacious platform with three seats to accommodate the Supreme Pontiff and two of his constituents. The open-style windows conflicts the usual bulletproof glass enclosure that of the usual Popemobiles. This particular feature was specifically done in accordance to Pope Francis’ request to ride a vehicle that doesn’t encase him in a sardine can-like bulletproof glass.
The Icon of Philippine Culture in Four Wheels
Reminiscent of those “real” Jeeps that we usually see pampered and cloaked with Jeep covers in your next door neighbor’s garage, jeepneys are loosely taken from U.S.-issued Willys MB vehicles that were left behind by the American military after World War II. A back tub for passengers is then being replaced with a larger, longer and wider one to accommodate commuters.
Soon after, these refurbished jeeps became one of the most important modes of transportation in the Philippines. And thanks to Leonardo Sarao’s ingenuity, the mass production of jeepneys revolutionized transportation and commuting means, as well as the industrial and economic state of the country.
Albeit the origin of the jeepneys were loosely ripped-off from the rubbles of American surplus duting the World War II, it was fully-embraced by the Filipinos to the extent that it became a symbol of Philippine culture, art, hardwork and walk of life.
Pope Francis visits the Philippines from January 15 to January 19, particularly in Manila and Leyte Province.
What to do you think about the Philippines’ version of the Popemobile? Share us your thoughts about this by leaving a comment!
