Everything was done within UP Diliman premises
When the pandemic started early this year, and with ECQ (Enhanced Community Quarantine) in place, public transportation has been put on hold, and this includes public utility vehicles such as jeepneys. Sixty-nine-year-old Herman Abao was part of the thousands of jeepney drivers who lost their main source of income.
With over 35 years of driving a jeep, his son James Parrel Abao told Manila Bulletin Lifestyle that his father was frustrated. “He has been providing for the family, but he accepted it (our situation) after months of not working,” shares the 37-year-old preschool head teacher.
But as luck would have it, a couple approached Herman if they could use his jeepney as their bridal ride. James revealed that his dad was happy and excited, “First, it’s a unique idea and it’s the first time that our jeep will be rented out for a wedding. Second, it’s income for our family—the amount is not so big but he’s still happy.”
The jeep was brought to the house of the bride’s family inside UP Diliman where it was dressed up for their special day last October 30. James revealed that, as far as he remembers, the bride graduated from UP Diliman, and the ikot jeep is very memorable to her. This is why she chose the ikot jeep as their bridal car. James also shared that they rented out to the couple for P1,500 an hour for a total of four hours.
And because this bridal jeepney was a brilliant idea, James thought of sharing the photos on his Facebook page with the caption, “Meet the bridal jeep of UP Diliman. Dahil walang pasada, sa kasal muna raraket. Congrats to the newlyweds.” And his thoughts about his father’s dressed up jeepney? “I was really amazed. It’s so cool and unusual to see a jeep used for a wedding,”