BAGSAO, BEA L.

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Alab ng Puso By Alfredo Esquillo Jr.

All artists have their own inspiration for their arts. Some were influenced by their life events,
inspired by their idols, and others were prompt by their country’s history. Depending on what artforms
they are making, they use different elements and principle to convey its meaning and bring life to their
arts.

One of the popular public transportations in the Philippines is a ‘Jeepney’. It is known for its artistic
exterior and for being remarkably cheap. Many jeep owners designed their vehicles on their own
preference. Some put their family members, doodle arts, or holy trinity. Unlike any other vehicles,
jeepneys can carry a larger capacity of passengers and offers less expensive fare. Nevertheless, behind
the colorful ride of jeepneys lies its dark spot in the history of World War II.

‘Alab ng Puso’ is model appropriation of Philippine Jeepney that was made by Alfredo Esquillo Jr.
It is retooled for the purpose of delivering the artists own concept of it. Embellished on the front space of
the vehicle is the artist face and above it is a glowing red light that symbolizes the sacred heart of Catholic
and as a solid representation of patriotism. The contraption in it also grabs the attention of public as the
hybridity were presented using two different parts in crafting the jeepney. The front half part is a
miniature of a Philippine jeepney while the other half is a wheel chair. In its first exhibit, Esquillo drove it
around the gallery while shouting a social commentary.

This is not the first time that Esquillo uses jeepney to represent Philippine history. In 2001, he
made a life-size jeepney out of banig mat paintings and canvases that were woven and presented it in
Japan. He also drove it and crashed it on the soda cans and sack full of blankets. He drove himself into the
fabric, crawl, and act as if he was being reborn. It shows the Filipino spirits that thrives amidst difficulty.

Esquillo’s style is evident in his well-crafted works that often appropriate imagery from religious
iconography, history, and culture. Out of his canvases, he transformed his wheelchair-jeepney into a life-
sized sculpture. This is just one of Esquillo’s astonishing artworks that touches the heart, eyes, and ears
of many individuals towards nationalism. His artworks make everyone turns into history and engage
themselves in socio-political issue. In other words, his art evokes everyone’s nationalistic side.
BAGSAO, BEA L.
STEM 1201

POST LINK: https://beabagsaocollections.wordpress.com/2021/12/19/alab-ng-puso-by-alfredo-esquillo-

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Source:

Flores, P. (2021). Alfredo Esquillo Jr. National Portrait Gallery. Retrieved from
https://www.portrait.gov.au/content/alfredo-esquillo-jr

Manila Art Blogger (June, 2010). Alfredo Esquillo Jr. Throws Bato Bato Sa Langit. Retrieved from
https://www.manilaartblogger.com/2010/06/14/alfredo-esquillo-jr-throws-bato-bato-sa-langit/