By Eunhice Corpuz

When art and an advocacy to serve the community unite, they create a passion-driven masterpiece made by collaboration. Far Eastern University's (FEU) Institute of Architecture and Fine Arts (IARFA) and Rise Against Hunger Philippines (RAHP) aim to raise awareness about fighting against hunger through painting and volunteering. This collaboration launched Jeepney Soup Kitchen and ready to hit the road where needed, it was unveiled to trailblaze its outreach and community service journey. 

A typical Pinoy jeepney had a makeover from a vehicle transporting passengers to delivering meals to different parts of the community. Despite facing a strong force of phasing out by recent mandates, this movement creates hope and opens a new chapter to unfold. 

RAHP is a nongovernmental organization that works to fight hunger and target communities facing high rates of food insecurity. One of its programs is the 'Kain Tayo Mobile Kitchen,’ a customized jeepney with a fully equipped pantry that brings freshly-cooked nutritious meals. 

Jeepney Soup Kitchen launching event occurred at Pavillion 1 last October 17. 

In an interview with FEU Advocate, the Executive Director of Rise Against Hunger Philippines, Jomar Fleras, discussed the grounds of having a partnered institution that is aligned with their mission and vision. 

"Well, we basically wanted a partner that is aligned with our vision and believes with our mission; that is the main criteria. Of course, it is very important that there was buy-in from FEU and they believe in all our thoughts,” he discussed. 

IARFA Dean Arch. Israel Susi revealed that the project collaboration began when RAHP reached out to FEU Center for the Arts Director Martin Lopez since the chairperson and the director were good friends. 

“So Rise Against Hunger Philippines reached out [to] FEU through our Director Martin and then they tapped us kasi they need[ed] artists, eh. So that’s how it started. Then, we had our initial run,” Arch. Susi stated. 

The dean shared that the University is the first institution to partner with RAHP to do a makeover of the jeepney for Kain Tayo Mobile Kitchen.

Apart from this raising awareness and giving back to the community, the project’s primary goal is to provide the jeepney “a new look.” 

"Primarily, the goal is to give the jeepney a new look and [be] in alignment with RAHP[‘s] goal, which is to provide food and try to address hunger in the Philippines. Basically, it aligns with all the goals of RAHP,” the IARFA dean said. 

Arch. Susi emphasized that the significance of this collaboration is its role for the Institution, which is to translate the project into art with the provided vision and intention for the jeepney.

_{In photo, from left to right, Vice President for Corporate Affairs, Rowena Reyes, IARFA Dean Arch. Israel Susi, Rise Executive Director Jomar Fleras, and Gota De Leche Manila Managing Executive Anna Leah Sarabia.} 

After months of preparation, the adviser of on-the-job training (OJT) students and faculty member of the IARFA Fine Arts Department, Redante Bernardo, described the humble start of this project. 

“Before we come up du’n sa pinaka-design, actually itong design process na ‘to galing talaga sa OJT students natin last summer. Sila talaga ‘yung pinaka-nag-come up ng idea, sila ‘yung nag-draft, and this is purely student works, idea, and creativity (Before we came up with the design, this design process came from our OJT students last summer. They are the ones who came up with the idea, drafts, and this is purely student works, idea, and creativity),” he stated. 

He shared that in picking the theme for this project, it was a collaboration with RAHP on what kind of vision they wanted to produce and see in the project. 

“Tinanong naman sila kung ano ‘yong gusto nilang maging look and they said na ‘basta mukha siyang happy and festive’ (We asked them what kind of look they wanted, and they said ‘as long as it looks happy and festive’),” Bernardo added. 

He revealed that they showcased festivals and delicacies to convey Philippine culture through art. 

“Makikita niyo du’n sa design, may pagka- at talagang may Philippine style. [At] makikita niyo [sa design] na medyo may pagka-Higantes, doon na papasok ‘yung ‘festive.’ Mayroon ding mga banderitas na makulay, which is ‘happy.’ We also added a lot of Filipino food and delicacies [on the design] (As you can see on the design, there is a present Philippine style. And you can see with the design, there are hints of the Higantes, that’s where ‘festive’ comes in. There are also colorful banderitas, which is ‘happy’),” he explained. 

Hence, the project faced unforeseen challenges that caused delays due to weather conditions, numerous drafts that were proposed, deciding the location where the event should be held, the painting process, and the availability of student-volunteers. 

Despite these challenges, it strengthened their dedication to making this project come to life, which resulted in a one-of-a-kind masterpiece

“Actually, this project is sana is iko-cover lang sana ‘yung buong summer period [midyear term], but eventually, hindi siya kinaya [dahil] sa isang problema—location. Saan gaganapin ‘yung pagpe-painting, even the tent [na gagamitin], and the available students to volunteer (Actually, this project was supposed to be covered during the summer period but eventually it didn’t push through because of one problem—the location on where the painting process is to occur, even the tent to be used, and the available students to volunteer),” the adviser expressed. 

Furthermore, Bernardo shared that the students who participated in this project were a few of his former students. He knows what kind of art and service they can offer for it. Hence, the students still applied for it as it is part of their OJT. 

Additionally, the Tamaraws involved in this project were composed of mostly Fine Arts students majoring in Studio Arts and Visual Communication, with a few from the Architecture program. 

_{In photo: The Dean of IARFA Arch. Israel Susi and Executive Director Jomar Fleras, along with the student-volunteer who painted the Jeepney Soup Kitchen and the people involved in this collaboration.}

After the launching of Jeepney Soup Kitchen, it went straight to its beneficiary to have a feeding program as part of the event at Gota De Leche Manila. 

Gota De Leche Manila is a non-profit charity organization working to address the food and health needs of malnourished and disadvantaged Filipino children and their mothers. This organization is the beneficiary of this partnership. 

_{In photo: Managing Executive of Gota De Leche Manila, Anna Leah Sarabia, the beneficiary of the project.} 

The Managing Executive of Gota De Leche Manila and a friend of the Executive Director of RAHP, Anna Leah Sarabia, explained how RAHP helps their organization. 

“Now, we are presently the beneficiary of Rise Against Hunger Philippines because tumutulong sila by giving us food for our more than 500 families in different communities. And, medyo excited ako kasi ang ganda-ganda ng project ng Rise together with FEU (And, I’m a little excited because the project of Rise together with FEU is wonderful),” she said. 

She conveyed her sentiments on fighting hunger and poverty in the country, hoping that it will be eradicated. 

“I hope that it won’t take another century before this happens. That our people become happy and healthy—no more hungry [Filipinos],” Sarabia stated. 

The project shows a good cause to help the less fortunate people, especially in the fighting and raising awareness of hunger in the country. This also includes the homeless because of poor urban planning and poverty that threatens our food security.  

Thus, this collaboration brought art to actual volunteerism, symbolizes that there is still hope in eradicating food insecurity in the country. As the goal of the project is to help the people in need, it will now become a legacy that binds IARFA and RAHP. Those who receive a good meal from the Jeepney Soup Kitchen will surely feel warmth in their stomach. So, watch out for the journey of the jeepney navigating the road to a healthy and nutritious future. 

(Photo by Zedrich Xylak Madrid/FEU Advocate)