I’m Tuff, designer/owner of Watawat Clothing (Est. 2008)
How was life growing up?
“I have a simple life growing up. I love art and sports as a kid. I play basketball and football for my school when I was young. In highschool I was the quiet type and I don't drink and smoke. Late bloomer ako, kaya ngayon ko ginagawa yung mga bagay na dapat dati ko pa ginawa. Or tumatanda siguro ako ng paurong.”
When did you first begin to witness you had creative talents?
“My first award in school was "Best in Art" kinder ako nun. Tapos hindi na nasundan yun, di ko maintindihan kung bakit. May mali siguro sa sistema haha!”
How did the name Watawat Clothing come about?
“Gusto ko pangalan pa lang distinct na Pinoy brand agad, kaya Watawat. The brand for the motherland.”
Why did you decide to choose making clothes your medium of choice?
“I wanted to be a painter but I took the wrong course in college so I drifted away from that side of me. Then I decided to put up a business. Nagkataon lang na sobrang bilis ng utak ko when it comes to designs and creativity, mahilig din ako sa shirts na kakaiba kaya naisip ko gumawa ng sariling brand kaya napunta ako sa ganitong eksena.”
With starting a brand, there’s always adversity you face in the beginning. What difficulties have you faced?
“High quality fabric. Tela talaga ang pinaghirapan kong hanapin. Napaka daming factory ng tela napuntahan ko bago ko nahanap yung telang gusto ko. Libo libo naubos ko sa pamasahe pagpunta sa mga factory. Divisoria is the easy way but quality wise there are better options. For me the fabric is very important, most of the time the customers will decide if it's a cop or drop based on the fabric.”
How was the local support back then? Is there any difference now?
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| Myke Sambajon wearing Talangka Proof (Left) Apo Whang-od (Right) |
“Nung nagsimula ako madali lang naman makabenta dahil sa facebook at nagkataon na napakalakas ng Hiphop scene that time. Tapos dating mga customer, naging kaibigan ko na yung iba. Yun din ang maganda kapag ikaw mismo yung nakikita nila at nakakausap, yung business nagiging daan para dumami ang tropa mo kung maayos ka sa tao. Pinagkaiba lang siguro ngayon mas madami na brands na pagpipilian tapos may kanya kanyang suki na which means matibay na yung suporta and mas tiwala na yung tao di gaya dati hesitant yung iba lalo sa online orders. Bago mapadala ng payment kelangan talaga mapapaniwala mo na dadating ang package sa kanila. Dumating pa ako sa punto na pinatawagan ko ang mismong branch ng LBC kung saan ako nagpapadala para maniwala yung customer na araw araw ako nagpapadala package doon. Kaya nasubok ng husto talaga ang pasensya ko haha!”
As a company, where do you see going?
“I aim high for my brand, so I want it to be the best. It’s a process one step at a time. Hahakbang ka paunti unti kasi ang tagumpay hindi kusang lumalapit.”
What you’ve learned over the years with Watawat Clothing?
“Kapag pumasok ka sa negosyo ihanda mo ang sarili mo sa pagkawala ng mga kaibigan mo. Masasala mo yan hanggang matira ang mga tunay. Subukan mo magtinda ng Tocino yung mga pekeng tropa mo maghahanap ng Ham or Hotdog. O kaya sa iba bibili ng tocino hahaha!”
When it’s all said and done how would you like to be remembered?
“A brand that everybody is proud of. Because people may buy or atleast try your product and get disappointed. I want people to be proud of my brand and tell others how great Watawat Clothing is.”
Lastly, big advice to small brands.
“To the owners, your brand represents you. Your name is as important as your brand. Give your customers what they paid for or better. Kapag nag-benta ka ng goto special ‘wag mo hahainan ng lugaw, Kasi di na uulit yan. Without the customers the business doesn’t make sense.”
FACEBOOK: WATAWAT CLOTHING
CONTACT NUMBER: 0906 246 1698
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