Motherhood statements
It arguably began with Spoofs. Remember that T-shirt brand that appropriated famous logos and twisted them into something more Pinoy, Pinoy being a mix of self-deprecating and low-brow copycat humor? These shirts threw brand mania and its resulting trend of back-alley knock-offs right at their faces, because a Spoofs shirt is even better than the original, as they made wry observations about the world or its wearer. It was a celebration of Pinoy wit and cunning, a survival mechanism that kept us pushing on through hard times. Then came the semi-ironic pop culture references, practiced by individuals, mostly underground designers who brandished kitsch images from local cinema and urban culture. They took us on a nostalgic silkscreened trip to a past that has become cool just by virtue of being decades removed from the now.
Mid-2000s, Team Manila standardized the practice of repackaging Pinoy culture, making pasalubong items for balikbayans modern and functional in an increasingly graphic designed world. By 2006, which was also the 20th anniversary of the EDSA Revolution, Pinoy Pride pretty much blew up, spewing flags and maps and stars and suns on every bit of clothing that could be printed on, leaving no sleeve unembroidered. The cartography of the Philippine archipelago, hardly before considered for its aesthetic value (and, to me, always resembled an animal taking a dump) suddenly became a coherent whole, a call for unity, and an image ripe for the rip-off. Trendy patriotic self-expression has since given way to the Che Guevarrafication of the image, and it is up to us to keep remembering the substance behind the symbol.
Last week, Team Manila launched a new line called Ang Pambansang T-Shirt on an Intramuros walk with Carlos Celdran. The designs riff on what have come before, i.e. maps, monuments and other markers of our motherland, but schnazzed up Team Manila-style. The aim actually has less to do with the national than with the global, however. “These are tourist 2.0 tees,” Nico Bacani of Team Manila explains. “We are promoting destinations, culture, historical sites, and food through Team Manila’s vision of a beautiful Philippines.” It’s a nation-branding exercise that you wear on your back, 100-percent cotton postcards.
But in light of all the last-minute Smartmatic “glitches” this week, I think it’s time for another spoof shirt. “What the feck, Comelec?”
1991
Spoofs: The original unoriginal
1997
Cecile Zamora: Iconized a young Nora Aunor
2001
Dino Ignacio: Paid tribute to ’70s midgetsploitation hero Weng Weng
2005
Team Manila: Rizal loses the overcoat, wears aviators
2006
Rhett Eala for Collezione C2: Credited for the term “fashionalism” and putting the Philippine map on, well, the map
Francis Magalona Clothing: Three Stars and A Sun synergized with his nationalistic rap
Imelda Marcos: Made scrappy jewelry, some with her face on it
2007
Tim Yap: His second ODM watch reads “I am super proud to be Pinoy”
Proud Race: Was told to cease and desist for their House of Holland parodies
Tado: The other iconic glasses-wearing dude
Nike: Gets in the ring with Manny Pacquiao
Adidas: Cultish Philippine flag jacket was deemed unconstitutional
2008
Various artists: “I Am Ninoy” campaign triggered a flood of yellow
2009
Happy Days: Paolo Icasas, one of the original purveyors of pop icons, graduates to social messages
Bench PinoyLab: Levels up with celebrity endorsers
Freeway: National Artists Nick Joaquin and Ang Kiukok are splattered on hoodies
Spoofs: Because they can
2010
Swatch: After her death, Cory becomes immortalized in a plastic watch
Team Manila: Brands a nation for tourists and travelers
