A house on wheels?
A vehicle modeled after the traditional jeepney caught the attention of Filipinos online.
An Instagram Reel uploaded on Tuesday, April 28, showed the jeepney-inspired vehicle traveling along the Cebu-Cordova Link Expressway (CCLEX).
“POV: May bahay na dumaan sa expressway CCLEX,” a text in the IG Reel says.
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The post has garnered around four million views, over 79,800 likes and numerous comments from Filipinos sharing their reactions.
“Taga saan kayo? Sila: Depende po sa trip kung saan kami mapapadpad,” an Instagram user said.
“Wow! It’s real! Tiny house on wheels!!!! Continue sharing good vibes,” another commented with emojis.
“Manong’s moving bahay >>>>>> Howl’s moving castle,” a different Instagram user wrote, referring to a Japanese animated film in which a moving castle travels from place to place.
“Aie, bonngga!” another Pinoy commented.
The video was also uploaded on Facebook.
The video was uploaded by the page of a vlogger with the username “Bahay Jeep ni Antet,” which describes itself as the “first camper jeepney Philippine Loop.”
The concept is credited to travel enthusiast Francis Amoroso, who owns the “Bahay Jeep,” an old bus that was converted and modeled after a jumpo jeepney, a larger version of the traditional jeep.
The “Bahay Jeep” is equipped with a bed, a comfort room and a kitchen.
In a 2023 interview, Amoroso said he came up with the concept during the COVID-19 pandemic after watching videos of people living in vans.
He has since traveled to several places, including Sorsogon, Camarines Sur, Albay, Quezon, Batangas and Cavite, with his family, friends and even followers as road-trip companions.
Amoroso documents their adventures and “van life” experiences on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
Meanwhile, camper vans are vehicles specially designed to be lived in while occupants are traveling.
The concept is most popular in North America, where some people adopt this lifestyle to explore, save money through minimalism and experience greater freedom.
