The jeepney — a moving canvas, a Filipino heritage

The Willys Jeep was created in response to the US Army's need for a light, durable, and versatile vehicle. Its innovative design included a powerful yet efficient 60-horsepower engine, a rugged four-wheel drive system, and a distinctive flat-fender body style. Willys and Ford produced over 639,000 Jeeps during World War II. The Jeep was equipped with a four-cylinder 60-horsepower engine and weighed 2,200 pounds. These vehicles were used by the G.I.s during WWII, and many were abandoned afterward.

During peacetime, many Filipinos were left without transportation, facing the challenges of total destruction, particularly in Manila and the suburbs. However, the Filipinos' resourcefulness was evident as they repurposed the abandoned Willys jeeps left by the US soldiers, rebuilding and modifying them to cater to the needs of the impoverished citizens.