I was in Las Piñas with my dad and a friend to test drive Great Wall Motor’s automobiles: Hover, Wingle, Cowry, Florid and GWPeri. We were entertained by Mr. Rosauro “Ross” Francisco, son of the late founder of Francisco Motors Corporation (FMC), Anastacio Francisco.
After test driving, we went to Luk Foo in Puregold Supermarket to have lunch. We were talking about the automotive industry and Francisco Motors. I was quite clueless about what Francisco Motors Corp. is though I knew that they were quite famous not only locally but internationally as well – that was before.
I was quite hesitant to ask question at first because I’m afraid that I might get the “YOU DON’T KNOW WHO FRANCISCO MOTORS IS??” look. But in any case, I just shoot some questions to Mr. Ross:
What do FMC do?
They were building jeepneys, mini-buses, and assembling Isuzu cars which later shifted to Mazda.
How it started?
Mr. Ross said that it all started when his father, (ANFRA) ANastacio FRAncisco, fell from a kalesa (Carriage). He then spent most of his time selling his scenery and landscape paintings in Ermita. But painting seems to be not a very good business for ANFRA, though he was a very good painter according to Ross. So then ANFRA looked for somewhere else where he could apply his passion for painting. (While on some articles ANFRA was a kalesa painter.)
Jeepneys was built by Sarao Motors, but their works at that time were quite rough such as uneven welding. In order to cover these flaws, Sarao Motors hired ANFRA to do his paintings on the interiors and exteriors of the jeepneys. ANFRA then later left Sarao Motors and found his own motor company, Francisco Motors Corporation, who then became Sarao’s competition.
It’s sad that Francisco Motors is no longer (or hardly) visible these days, but the legacy that they left will be part of the Filipino’s image and culture forever.
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{ 12 comments }
I never knew that, thank you!
ohhh amazing!
They don’t produce anymore those wonderful jeepneys? That’s a sad thing. They already have become a part of Philippine iconography. Sayang.
@Jan: Yeah super sayang.
Hmm..now I want to find out who are ones building jeepneys nowadays. 
Hey! I’m very happy you posted this. Tito Ross is my mother’s cousin
Its so nice to see people still appreciating our grandfathers’ works! Thanks! 
@Mariam: The works of your grandfather will always be part of the Filipino culture. It will always be appreciated, it is the legacy your grandfather left behind.
can anyone give me a contact number of francisco motors? tel number or mobile number will do. thanks.
ang mga jeepney ay kailangan ng i-phase out kung may concern ang gobyeno sa taong byan lalo na sa mg senior citizen. and it's time for the government to reduce or change the design of the Philippine Jepneys
Just a question. Why do you think should the government do that? We just wish that you can elaborate that a little bit so that we could have a better understanding of your point.
just want to if they still doing jeepney. and the contact number. rnthank you
just want to if they still doing jeepney. and the contact number. rnthank you
just want to if they still doing jeepney. and the contact number.
thank you
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