Retro chick tricycles of Tanauan City in Batangas

I’ve always been fascinated with these three wheeled vehicles plying the roads of cities and towns in the Philippines. Either motorized or manually driven, it comes in different forms and designs and are unique to the places they ply. I went down the airconditioned bus when I arrived in Tanauan City, Batangas for an assignment. But what readily got my attention were the uniquely designed tricycles that have been parked near the bus stop. Clean lines, rounded corners and flanged rear that only recalls to mind the pop style cars and architecture of yesteryears and I was just stumped and smiling: 50′s retro!

Back view of tricycle. CLICK TO ENLARGE

Stainless steel beauties zooming past with their modern motorcycles that looks disjointed with its retro sidecab. But it’s in the details that I really like: the rounded and stylized front, the spacious inside, the metal decorations and lines at the sides down to the pointed rear and cargo area at the back.

Sideview of another trike with stylized metal frames and designs.

These are one of the reasons I like going to the provinces as, it seems, every town or city has its own unique tricycle or pedicab design. It’s a testament to the Pinoy’s creativity and adaptability to come up with these contraptions.

Estan Cabigas is a multiawarded blogger, freelance photographer and writer based in Makati City, the Philippines. A true blue Cebuano, he makes stunning images and meaningful photo stories. He has contributed to local and international publications including CNN Go, National Geographic Magazine, Geo (Germany), Sunday Times Magazine (London) and other publications.

To know more about him and his photography, visit estancabigas.com. He is also open for partnerships, advertisements and sponsorships. Just send an email using the contact form.