Art is a form of expression. For artist Paul Taladtad, he created a masterpiece that touches on a story in his life.
The masterpiece is an oil on cavas creation that shows the hands of what appears to be a public utility vehicle driver, with a box divided into three with graduation photos of three individuals that “correspond” to one box filled with bills, or coins.
WHEN IN MANILA has reached out to Taladtad for further details.
The masterpiece was inspired by a jeepney ride experience last February 2013.
“Noong nasakyan ko sa UP Ikot yung jeep na iyon mismo, sinabi ko kay kuya na isshare ko sa mga tao yung nakita ko then napangiti siya. Nakita ko din before yung kwento niya from a Facebook post ni Justin Linatoc na nagviral din noon. Napahanga ako kasi yung father ko ay from kariton naging jeepney driver din, from 1987 to 1997. He is now a businessman.”
(Rough translation: When I hopped on a jeep in UP Ikot. I told the driver that I’ll share to people what I saw, and it made him smile. I also read his story before from a Facebook post of Justin Linatoc that also went viral at around that time. I was astounded, because my father also used to collect junk that eventually became a jeepney driver, from 1987 to 1997. He is now a businessman.”)
Other than a real-life experience that inspired him to create his masterpiece, Taladtad also shares that it also carries a message.
“It’s also [a way to] voice out kung ano yung dinaranas ng ating mga tsuper at mga mangagawang Pilipino, lalo na ngayong may jeepney modernization program. Nagswak siya sa theme ng competition na “Pinoy Pride”. Ang jeepney ay isa mga icon ng ating kultura, at sa aking obra ay pinapakita din ang pagiging matatag ng mga pilipino kahit sa ano pa mang sitwasyon.”
(Rough translation: It’s also [a way to] voice out what our drivers and [our] laborers are going through, most especially now with the jeepney modernization program. Actually, it also came in line with the competition theme “Pinoy Pride”. The jeepney is considered to be one of the icons of our culture, and for my creation, it shows that we Filipinos are resilient regardless of whatever situation we face.”)
Artist Paul Taladtad
The artist from Adventist University of the Philippines also tells WHEN IN MANILA that the title of his masterpiece is a compound term from “Jeepney” and “Diploma”.
“Ginawa ko nalang catchy yung title para magets agad ng mga tao kung ano yung content ng work.”
(Rough translation: I wanted to make the title catchy so people could understand it right away what the content of the work is about.”)
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Disclaimer: WheninManila.com does not own any of these photos. Credits go to Marbert Lio Taguba and Paul Taladtad.
