2 Pinoys showcase tricycle in San Francisco

MANILA, Philippines — Two Filipinos in the United States have brought their motorized tricycle decked with Filipino items including a videoke to the Philippine consulate general in San Francisco.

Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer met recently Mike Arcega and Paolo Asuncion, the brains behind the viral TNT Traysikel, in front of the consulate and admired the tricycle decked with knick knacks that “are very much part of Philippine culture,” such as a white “Good Morning” towel usually worn by tricycle drivers around their neck to cool off amid the sweltering heat back home.

There is a videoke on board as well as signs and phrases like “Hoy” that bedeck the quintessential mode of public transportation (aside from jeepney) in the Philippines.

The consul general thanked Arcega and Asuncion for their artwork and contribution to the promotion of Philippine culture in the Bay Area and the US.

Ferrer and Tourism Director Soleil Tropicales sang “Manila” by Filipino band Hotdog impromptu on videoke, joined by cultural officer Ethel Castillo, consular assistant Maria Antonia van Espen Boonen and Philippine Center administrative officer Genevieve Ferrer.

Consul Vanessa Bago-Llona rode the tricycle driven by Asuncion around Union Square.

TNT Traysikel is a mobile public artwork located in and around SOMA Pilipinas Cultural Heritage District in San Francisco, California.