philippine \'jeepney\' artists stalked by extinction

Bernardo de la Cruz looks to the almost silent workshop where he used to work overtime --
Paint the custom decor on jeepneys, a small Philippine bus facing the scrap pile.
For decades, these rolling art galleries have decorated everything from Batman to baby, as well as disco lights and chrome wheels, providing cheap transportation for millions of people.
But pollution and safety issues have led to a modernization program where jeeps aged 15 or over will be taken from the street by 2020.
\"This is an act of betrayal against fellow Filipinos,\" de la Cruz said . \".
\"This is a product unique to the Philippines.
We are born.
\"45 years ago, when he started working, there were hundreds of artists who provided the vehicles with the famous noisy paint work.
It is estimated that there are less than a dozen left.
He saw orders drop from up to 80 per month for 1980 months to one or two now.
His canvas was replaced by eco.
Jeep with electric or lower power
Pollution diesel engine
The passengers of the old Jeep currently had to crawl in from the hatch at the back and squeeze into the bench inside without a chance to breathe from the heat and roadside pollution. -
Time to borrow-
Jeepney\'s successor is seen as a huge step forward.
It has doors, separate seats, air.
Conditions, and enough height to stand up.
But it will be massive.
It\'s like a bus.
Skipping jeepney\'s customized production process in small workshops means losing the personal style and talent that makes them a global symbol of the Philippines.
\"This is one of the most authentic forms of modern folk art that we have,\" Bernie Xin of Manila
Graphic designer and co-based-
The author of 2014 books by Jeepney art told AFP.
French fashion designer Christian Louboutin launches jeepney-
Last year\'s theme handbag collection, Swedish furniture giant Ikea (Ikea) drew a Jeep on its iconic blue and yellow color, announcing plans to open a store in the Philippines.
But for the first time after World War II, the cars were made by the rest of the American jeeps and have been borrowing time for years.
The pollution of Jeeps is serious, and the Philippines is eager to improve the air quality in traffic --clogged cities.
Their drivers are also notorious for ignoring traffic rules and there is little safety in the vehicle.
In addition, Manila ushered in the Internetbased ride-
On 2014, President Rodrigo Duterte said jeepney had to evolve or disappear. -I cry quietly
52-said: \"They have stopped producing Jeeps. year-
Old jerpeni artist Vic Cabano in the town of San Pablo in southern Manila.
So he and a colleague from Armak Motors now draw only three of four jeeps a month.
De la Cruz has worked nine times in the past year.
He is the only remaining painter of the manilarau Motor Company, which was once the largest producer in Manila.
Two of his brothers and sisters were also jepney artists, but they died from what he thought was a disease caused by years of inhalation of paint smoke.
However, he is still enthusiastic about the importance of the car in the history of the Philippines.
\"When jepney disappears, a part of Philippine culture will also die,\" de la Cruz warned . \". A self-
He has taught painters, inspired by works by famous local artists Carlos Francesco and Fernando amoloso.
His jeepney design is still everywhere on the street, recording the rapidly changing landscape of his home ---Las Pinas --
From agriculture and salt
Make a pool of stagnant water a highly urbanised area.
\"This is a pleasant sight.
This brings us back to a time and place that is no longer the past . \"
After raising four children in salary-Income painting, he now also created oil paintings and made store signs as a sideline.
He admitted that he could live a decent life without a Jeep, but was heartbroken by the government\'s decision.
\"I would like to call on the authorities not to declare it illegal,\" De la Cruz said . \".
\"Sometimes I cry quietly when I think of what is going on.