Resorts World Manila names 14 finalists of ‘PUJ Design Challenge 2014’
MANILA, Philippines - Resorts World Manila (RWM) names the 14 finalists of its “Pinoy Ultimate Jeepney (PUJ) Design Challenge 2014.”
With the theme “Festival of Stars,” the entries — sent in by artists coming from different regions including Metro Manila, Rizal, Bulacan, Pampanga, Nueva Ecija, and all the way from Tabaco City, Albay — that have made it into the final round include “Taas Nuo ang Lahing Pinoy,” “Kapistahang Pilipino,” “Gypsy Star (Jeepsy),” “Bikolarga!,” “Kinang Pinas,” “Iluminadong Selebrasyon at Pasasalamat,” “LuzViMinda Parola,” “Larawan,” “Wooven Jeep,” “Pangarap Pinoy,” “Araw at Gabi Paskong Pinoy Lagi,” “Biyaheng Bituin,” “Ako’y Isang Pinoy,” and “Paglaum.”
These designs will now be made into fully-functional jeepneys owned and operated by members of the Villamor Air Base Jeepney Operators and Drivers Association Inc. (VABJODAI). The modified jeepneys will then be put on display at the Newport Mall ground floor and other Megaworld Lifestyle Malls from Dec.er 18 to 30 as part of RWM’s yuletide celebration, Grand Fiesta Manila 2014.
The grand winner of the competition will receive P300,000 while the second prize will take home P200,000. The entry that gets the most number of online and SMS votes will receive the 2014 PUJ People’s Choice Award along with a P100,000 cash prize. The awarding ceremonies will be held on Dec. 23 at The Plaza in Newport Mall.
With the help of the National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA), RWM’s PUJ Design Challenge has produced 23 modified jeepneys since its initial run back in 2012. This year, the project aims to create 15 additional units, 14 coming from the design competition and one of which will be done by special guest artists.
The PUJ Design Contest is part of Resorts World Manila’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts to revive and celebrate the prominence of the iconic Philippine jeepney as an initiative to further boost tourism, culture and arts in the country, while improving the livelihood of participating jeepney drivers and operators. So far, the initiative has contributed a 70-percent increase in the daily profits of the PUJ beneficiaries.
Aside from modifying the jeepney units, one of the goals of this CSR program is for Pasay City jeepney drivers to become “Tourist Drivers” through comprehensive training programs conducted by partner institutions Caritas Manila, Department of Tourism (DOT) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA).
