Made For Kids! Dad Builds World’s Smallest Jeepney In Baguio

If you think you’ve seen all sorts of “tiny”, think again. Meet Jeepito, the world’s smallest Philippine jeepney!

The world's smallest Philippine jeepney

“Jeepito was made in 2015,” dad and Jeepito owner Ronald “Tonton” Tan told Summit OG. Tan also owns the “Tank House”, which is an old water tank that he turned into the tiniest home in Baguio City.

“Almost 7 years nang nagpapasaya si Jeepito,” he said. The tiny jeep measures only 92 inches long, 42 inches wide, and 55 inches tall.

It has all the well-known designs of the regular-sized Pinoy jeepney, from the iconic horse on the hood to the spare tire on the driver’s side. “Ano pang hindi pwedeng mawala?” Tan asked. “‘Pag driver ka, dapat meron kang tuwalya.”

Tan and his team built Jeepito for only two months. They spent an estimate of Php160,000 to build it. “Dapat nga mas mura ang nagastos namin dito pero [we made sure] na maging street-legal siya at kumpletong-kumpleto,” Tan explained. 

Four people, including the driver, can comfortably sit inside Jeepito. “Actually, pwede pa nating gawing lima ‘yan,” Tan joked. “‘Yung isa, sasabit sa likod.”

 

Jeepito’s main purpose is to spread good vibes. Every year at Christmas, Tan thinks of a way to make a Jeepito ride exciting. Tan admits that their Jeepito rides during the holidays have changed because of the pandemic.

“Dati, kapag umiikot kami para mamigay ng goodies, welcome lahat para lumapit, magpa-picture, walang limitations,” he explained. “Pero ngayon, as much as we’d like to do that, lahat ng tao ay limited na.”

Jeepito has been around the Philippines since it was built. It has been to Metro Manila, Tuguegarao, Cagayan, and many more.

“Si Jeepito ay madalas nai-invite sa mga iba’t-ibang shows, sa mga iba’t-ibang parades,” Tan said. “Napakadaming memorable moments na na-experience namin ni Jeepito.”

Watch the full Summit OG interview here to see all the adventures Tonton and Jeepito have been on, plus the celebrities that have already experienced a ride on the world’s smallest Pinoy jeepney.

Have you been to Baguio City recently to see The Tank House and Jeepito? Share your experience in the comment section.