Katipunan, Charge Forward! — A Mural Celebrating Sustainable Mobility

ACMobility inaugurated the U.P. Town Center EV Charging Hub in Quezon City, reinforcing its commitment to clean energy solutions and environmental sustainability.

At the heart of this initiative is a stunning mural created by renowned artist Professor Toym Imao, together with selected students from the University of the Philippines' College of Fine Arts and De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. This artwork not only enriches the aesthetic of Katipunan Avenue but also weaves together the lived experiences of its commuters, merging nostalgia with a forward-looking vision.

The mural explores themes of environmental stewardship and community solidarity, underscoring the transformative power of art to inspire meaningful change. This collaboration exemplifies how creativity can light the way toward a cleaner, greener future.

The story behind the U.P. Town Center mural

Katipunan, Charge Forward!

Welcome to the Katipunan Republic! Coming from all walks of life and different backgrounds, the communities alongside Katipunan Avenue move together on one road, towards one destination: a future powered by clean energy, where electric vehicles ply the historical road that connects us all. Kaya Katipunan, Charge!!!

Our mural evokes the typical character of Katipunan Avenue: ma-traffic! So many people travel through the road every day, and the various private and public vehicles they ride contain so many stories that those familiar with Katipunan life will know. We wanted to depict these stories in a future Katipunan with reduced emissions and fumes, where electric mobility takes us where we need to go.

The mural was conceptualized using a process-based approach, tapping students and young artists familiar with the locale. Each artist imbued the work with their own memories, anecdotes, and everyday inspirations as a member of the Katipunan Republic. We began the artistic process with a question: how would a future Katipunan change if it was plied by electric vehicles? In discussing their various experiences, our artists imagined a commute that involved feeling more comfortable, breathing in cleaner air, and using modern technology and payment systems. The artists then began the immense task of capturing a snapshot of Katipunan with this future in mind, dividing up the 80-foot canvas amongst themselves. They were free to collaborate with one another and utilize their personal styles, to reflect the vibrancy and diversity of this storied avenue.

The overall composition of the mural evokes the colors of the Diliman sky, from blue throughout the day to rich warm tones brought by sunset, the light filtered through trees giving Diliman its historic name. While the colors of the individual commuters showcase the various schools and communities along Katipunan, the colors of the background align with those of the organizations involved in the mural and charging station: ACMobility and UP Town Center. The background is detailed in with representations of windmills and solar farms, depicting the complete circle that connects clean energy to clean mobility. The vibrant vehicles and mobility devices complement the colors of the sky, tying the visual styles of our artists together.

The first vehicle from the left is inspired by the electric jeeps and shuttles that roam the campus of the Ateneo de Manila University. Adorned with a Blue Eagle along its side, the vehicle is full of various commuters with their own stories: the driver, getting his passengers to where they need to go; a Fine Arts student with their sketchbook, representing the artists we tapped to work on this mural; an Atenean headed to class, paying for the fare through a contactless payment system; and two high school sweethearts from Miriam College and Ateneo High School, enjoying a sweet moment straight from a Filipino coming-of-age romcom.

The next individuals on the vehicle include a student finishing their assigned reading before class—a universal experience for most student commuters; and someone drinking a stainless steel flask, ever-present in university campuses for their durability and sustainability. Beside him are two figures inspired by a scene witnessed by one of the artists during his commute home: a student trying to get a quick snack in before his next class, while the breeze blows a fellow commuter’s hair into his food. Finally, sitting at the end of the vehicle is a Blue Babble Battalion brass player, taunting a UP student who is running late and has just missed the jeep. Better start running, Isko! Walking distance lang ‘yan!

The second vehicle is an electrified minivan, representing a core memory of its artist, whose parents drove them and their classmates to school when they were young. Inside the minivan is a father bringing his daughter to class before heading to work as an environmental engineer, playing a part not only in the future of his child, but also in the future of our cities and nature. The scene represents the important work done to develop our environment and technology, and reminds us that future generations will inherit the same responsibility when the time comes.

The third vehicle is another reminder of Katipunan’s history, and a symbol of what we will continue to honor with the passage of time. At the wheel of the car is Lorna, a sculpture associated with the UP Integrated School, whose former campus once stood at the location UPTC currently occupies. Behind her is Mother Nature nursing a child, reflecting our community’s close affinity to nature. Our artist was inspired by the green environment of our school campuses, and the open spaces in UPTC centered around the old trees that existed since the time of UPIS.

The fourth vehicle, inspired by the color and form of the BYD Seagull, is a representation of the alma mater of some of our artists: Miriam College. Its founder is depicted with a lamb on her lap, referencing the multiple sculptures of lambs found around the college. Filling the car are kalachuchi flowers, which adorn the campus grounds today. This close affinity to flowering trees calls back to the trees that were previously located alongside Katipunan Avenue and on the Avenue’s central island. These trees were eventually cut down due to lack of maintenance, exposure to high traffic, and the widening of the road. A cleaner, more energy-efficient, and electrified Katipunan with reduced emissions could see the return of these flowering trees.

Behind this vehicle are the Romeo and Juliet of the Katipunan Republic: an Atenean and Isko couple! Riding together on an electric scooter utilizing Gogoro batteries, the Isko is anxious about getting to a charging station before the battery runs out, while the Atenean is confident they’ll make it. The distance depicted on the motorcycle’s display, 6.6 kilometers, covers the span between the far end of Katipunan near Temple Drive, and UPTC’s charging station. They just might make it!

Alongside the couple is another student riding an electric scooter—a volunteer who cares for the many community cats and dogs in the school campuses around Katipunan and in UPTC. These animals have become mascots, treasured pets, security guards, and sources of comfort for the Katipunan Republic. Volunteers often travel around the campuses to feed the cats and dogs at regular times. In the future, the journey will be made easier and more comfortable with alternative electric mobility devices such as scooters.

The final vehicle in our 80-foot mural is an electrified e-jeepney in the style of traditional UP Ikot Jeeps. Standing at the front of the jeep is Andres Bonifacio, leader of the Katipunan after which the road was named. He is holding a fast-charging port and yelling his famous battlecry: “Charge!” or “Sugod!” Beside him is the famous UP Oblation, symbol of the University of the Philippines. Next to the Oblation is a tribute to a dear friend and mentor to many, UPIS alumni Kuya Robert Alejandro, who inspired many artists all over the country to create art for their community and loved ones. Also riding on the jeep are two basketball players from UP and Ateneo, representing the Battle of Katipunan rivalry that took UAAP by storm in the past few years. Finally, hanging onto the back of the e-jeepney is a UP Pep Squad flier, firmly holding on as they do on top of human pyramids during cheerdance competitions.

Katipunan holds many more stories and anecdotes. It is the road that so many individuals and communities call home. To envision the future of this rich, vibrant Katipunan Republic—a future wherein we all move cleaner, faster, and better—is not only a necessary step in securing the well-being of our younger generations. It is also a reminder that wherever the future takes us, dadaan muna kayo sa Katipunan Avenue!