NU 6 New Fashion and New Mindset
Last Saturday, I had to go to one of the malls in Manila to buy a shirt specifically based on the requirements of my son. He has given me the particulars like the color, size and design of the shirt he needed for his school presentation. Well, I did spend the better part of the day trying to find the right shirt for my son but as I checked on the shirts being sold at the mall and even before I could finally find the right match, I had realized how the designs of T- shirts/ polo shirts and other apparel nowadays have been influenced or inspired by the Filipino spirit.
Emblems depicting the Filipino character like the Filipino flag colors, the Philippine map, the yellow ribbon and other unique Filipino symbolisms have flooded the market. These clothing companies like the Collezione, the Francis M. Clothing Company, and even our very own Manny Pacquiao have capitalized in this new sense of fashion statement among Filipinos. It is remarkable in a sense that these clothing lines have never been that marketable in the past. I remember a certain company that manufactured the so-called Pidro shirts, a clothing company used to be managed by Danny Javier, one of the three members of the famed "Apo Hiking Society". Well, it enjoyed a brief level of popularity until its brilliance faded gradually and lost its appeal.
This new surge of Filipino nationalism is indeed quite remarkable. Fashion could be a great vehicle of a people's sense of expression and through fashion people are able to bring out their inner feelings as well as their sentiments. Two things are very positive in this development, first, more Filipinos are becoming more supportive of the local brands which is possibly a good indicator that Filipinos today are more proud of who we really are. In the past, many of us have been brain-washed with the idea that foreign products were much better than those that were locally produced; and who could forget the term "stateside mentality" coined to describe this mindset of most Filipinos in the 70'and 80s. As I write this NU, I couldn't help but remember several presidents of the country who have even made this their flagship programs like the "Buy Filipino" slogan of Pres. Corazon Aquino. These political efforts were all aimed at trying to create a more confident, a more convinced public that what they are buying is indeed proudly Philippine made and is at par with world class standards.
The other important aspect of this new trend is that it serves as a source of national pride. In a country like ours, that is hounded by problems left and right both natural and man-made, it is necessary that the people have something where they can draw their strength and inspiration from. Perhaps, the many years of struggle for national development coupled with the yearning for better governance and enough of corruption-laden politics has influenced this new mindset. The good thing about it is that people now are being made more aware of their roots, of their country and of their true identity. There exists the feeling of national consciousness as one wears a shirt with a Philippine emblem or symbol. One is being reminded that the simple design printed on the shirt is a manifestation of love, loyalty and affection to the country. More importantly it is a symbol that lacks the indifference that for so long has engulfed our minds especially the Youth. Now more than ever, everyone is made to believe that they can be a part of the solution or they are aware of the problem at the very least – Ako ang SIMULA.
Wearing these shirts may indeed be a strong indication that the people are not just into plain fashion, it is more of a statement borne out of their unique sense of love for the country and their being Filipino; something badly needed these hard times. And so before I handed this shirt to my son, I decided to explain to him without being too dramatic why he should be proud to be a Filipino. 3 Proud to be Pinoy
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