J is for Jeepnified

 

Jeepney2The art of re-purposing

I'm writing from Seattle, with just a moment to pause from the Filipino American National Historic Society's (FANHS) national conference. In the midst of workshops, storytelling, reunions, and bites of food, this colorful assortment at the FANHS national archives caught my eye.

Now stuffed with markers and pens, those familiar cans of Ligo sardines, Philippine Brand mango nectar, San Miguel beer brought back remembered meals. Re-purposed into beautiful and practical containers, they were a heartwarming sight, a reminder of how many Pinoys follow the "3rs" - reduce, reuse, recycle -  as a way of life.

Call it "jeepnified" - in the same spirit of Filipino innovation, reclaiming WWII US military vehicles into colorful public transit, the famous jeepney. In that mode, there's no such thing as waste.

 
Aileen SuzaraFANHS, filipino, jeepney, repurpose, reuse, waste reduction