
We spent a day taking photos from the back of a pick-up truck in the Philippines. This is what we saw…
When we at RocketNews24 came up with the idea to capture every-day Filipino life through street photography, we knew we needed a unique perspective. So we rented a pick-up truck, put our reporter in the back of it and let her snap away for an entire day as she traveled around the city of Cebu. Photographing moving objects from an equally moving vehicle isn’t easy, but we hope you enjoy these candid shots nonetheless!
The first thing you’ll notice about any Filipino city is the impossible array of transportation on offer.
▼ Bicycles, the most basic mode of transportation, share the road with regular traffic.
Pedicabs transport children to school, take people short distances on side roads, and are used for transporting goods.
▼ A man loads a bag of rice into his pedicab.
If you’re going a bit further but still within town limits, you can catch a motorized tricycle where you either sit in the right-hand side car (seats four)…
…or, when the side car is full, you can hang on for dear life on the driver’s seat. No worries, you’ll fit!
▼ The tricycle driver moves forward and sits on the gas can to fit more customers on.
If you’re going longer distances, most people prefer the fully covered back seats of the jeepney that also offers hop-on, hop-off service.
Although when it’s full, you may have to hang off the back.
Then of course, there’s the public bus.
▼ So normal, meh!
Many people have their own motorbikes. This is convenient because you can put as many people on it as you deem will fit, and you can still carry plenty of things.
▼ There appears to be no helmet law either.
While in the U.S. your car may be your pride and joy, in the Philippines it’s more often your motorbike.
▼ This guy was happy to show off his riding skills for the girl sitting in the back of a pick-up truck with a camera.
If you happen to be lucky enough to have your own transport, be sure to dress it up as much as possible!
The roads are overflowing with vehicles, and rush hour can lead to grid-lock…
…and lots of waiting at traffic lights.
Vendors take advantage of stopped traffic to pedal snacks to drivers.
▼ A child vendor helps his family make ends meet.
If you’re stuck in traffic but you gotta go, no worries: there’s always an obliging wall near by.
▼ No need to be shy.
And if your car overheats, there are plenty of roadside repair shops.
Chickens are everywhere in the Philippines.
▼ The chicken symbol on a tricycle.
▼ Roosters tethered on the sidewalk–pets kept for cockfighting.
Chicken is a favorite meal served at roadside restaurants too.
▼ It seems like almost anyone can start up a restaurant.
Others set up a kitchen, offering home-cooking straight from the stove.
▼ This restaurant opens up onto the sidewalk.
Or you can go whole hog and eat at a “lechon” restaurant…
…where they roast pigs on a spit.
Or you can hit the fish mongers and vegetable vendors along the road if you want to pick something up to cook at home.
▼ All you need is a name, and a soft drink company such as RC Cola or Mtn Dew will give you a sign board.
And there are the night markets that thrive after the sun goes down.
And last but not least, fast food restaurants are often open 24 hours.
▼ Jollibee, the favorite fast food restaurant in the Philippines, specializes in chicken, not bees.
The Philippines is a very religious country.
If you look closely, you’ll see Jesus everywhere.
You’ll see lots of churches too.
But at the end of a long, sunburned day of taking photos from the back of a pick-up truck, all we can say is, thank God for cheap rum!
▼ Tanduay rum, distilled in the Philippines.
Photos © Amy Chavez/RocketNews24





























10 things we love about living in Asia
Extreme Budget Travel! Can you do a trip to Manila with 50,000 yen (US$333)? – Part 2
Sawai: the “budget Maldives” where you can sleep above a reef【Photos】
Just when you thought you knew it all – 17 life-changing lessons learned in Japan
10 times to avoid traveling in Japan in 2026
Ramen restaurant’s English menu prices are nearly double its Japanese ones, denies discriminating
We ate sushi made from Japan’s most expensive tuna ever【Taste test】
Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
7-Eleven Japan has a hack for creating insanely delicious potato chip rice meals
Nearly one in ten young adults living in Japan isn’t ethnically Japanese, statistics show
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Original Totoro plush toys from 80s and 90s re-issued for Studio Ghibli exhibition
Sanrio brings some smiles to Evangelion with new collaboration merch line【Photos】
Japanese cafe’s gorgeous hydrangea sweets celebrate most beautiful flower of Japan’s rainy season
Japanese beef bowl chain Sukiya’s 2026 Smile Box lucky bag basically pays for itself
Hayao Miyazaki says Happy New Year to Studio Ghibli fans with new art for Year of the Horse
Starbucks Japan ready to get Year of the Horse started with adorable drinkware and plushies【Pics】
Top Japanese cosplayer Enako returns to Comiket after 6 years, creates mayhem with admirers
Cup Noodle tries an authentic Jiro-style ramen, but something’s not quite right
The best Starbucks Japan Frappuccinos we want to drink again in 2026
We revisited Sweets Paradise after a decade to see if Japan’s dessert buffet still delivers
That time Seiji called JASRAC to ask why he didn’t get paid royalties for his song being on TV
7-Eleven Japan starts new temporary luggage storage service in over 300 branches
Disillusionment at Tsukiji’s tourist-target prices led us to a great ramen restaurant in Tokyo
Starbucks teams up with 166-year-old Kyoto doll maker for Year of the Horse decorations【Photos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo’s Tsukiji sushi neighborhood asks tour groups to stay away for the rest of the month
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Japan may add Japanese language proficiency, lifestyle classes to permanent foreign resident requirements
Lacquerware supplier to emperor of Japan and Pokémon team up for new tableware
Starbucks Japan releases new zodiac chilled cup drink for 2026
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Updated cherry blossom forecast shows extra-long sakura season for Japan this year
Human washing machine pods coming to Japanese hotels【Photos】
Leave a Reply