CRUZLIGHT: WORSHIP NO ONE

“I’m Marlo Luces, the Founder and Artist of Cruzlight Apparel.”

How was life growing up?

“I grew up as an introvert kid who cares a lot about arts.”  

When did you first begin to witness you had creative talents?

“Since I was a kid, I draw a lot of stuff, mostly weird things, skulls, demons, etc. some people call it “satanic” but I don’t care. I was a painter before I learn graphic design. And then I started to have ideas of putting my arts on t-shirts, and that’s when I started dreaming of starting my own clothing line.”

How did the name Cruzlight Apparel come about?

“Cruzlight came from my name. “Cruz”, my middle name, and “Luces”, a Spanish word means ”Light”.”

Why did you decide to choose making clothes your medium of choice?

“I was inspired by other local brands and started to think that I also want to make art through shirts and I have the ability to do that. Also, I think it would be great to have my arts printed on shirts and see people wearing it.”


With starting a brand, there’s always adversity you face in the beginning. What difficulties have you faced so far?

“Cruzlight apparel started on the year 2014, I was 1st year architecture student. I don’t know that much in starting a clothing brand. The first time I’m about to release shirts together with my friend, mark, we tried to print shirts on our own, we tried to do the silkscreen printing. The result was not that good but we sell it on a low price. More than 30 people ordered our first release which is not bad for starting brand. But the next release is hard because of our first bad product. The hardest part is that we have to gain more customers and trust.” 


There are a lot of brands out right now. How do you look to set yourself apart from them?

“I just do artworks that is different from other brands, that’s why cruzlight is still running, if I don’t, people will just go for other brands. Cruzlight has its own identity and I don’t go with the trends and I’m comfortable with that.” 


You recently drop snapback, what inspired this concept?

CRUZLIGHT SNAPBACK 

“Some of my customers and friends asked for it. It’s inspired by our brand concept itself. It is embroidered with our rebellion logo and our slogan “worship no one” at the back.”


What could we be expecting from Cruzlight Apparel as the rest of the year rolls out?

“More heavier designs, new products and possible collaborations with other brands or bands.”


As a company, where do you see Cruzlight Apparel going?

“I see cruzlight apparel going not just in Philippines but in other parts of the world.”


What you’ve learned over the years with Cruzlight Apparel?

“I’ve learned that If things doesn’t turn out to be good, just keep on going. There will be always hindrances and struggle in trying to achieve “success”.” 


When it’s all said and done how would you like to be remembered?

“Cruzlight will be remembered as a brand that inspire people to be different and independent. Also with our slogan “worship no one, free yourself” that promotes freedom against beliefs and religions.” 

Lastly, big advice to small brands.

“Running a brand is not easy, there will be a lot of struggles and hindrances, but don’t let these things bring you down. Just keep on going and keep on dreaming.”

INSTAGRAM: @CRUZLIGHT

FACEBOOK: @CRUZLIGHTAPPAREL

SOM1: UPLIFT SOCIETY AND THE CULTURE

Kumusta Kaibigan! I’m Sophiya Misha Salud or Somi for short. I capture engaging experiences, tag my name everywhere, and pull spro shots.   



How was life growing up?


“My bittersweet journey was packed with both exciting and unfortunate experiences that helped  me grow as a creative, friend, sister, daughter, and a person in general. I was very much stuck at  home but I knew that if I wanted to learn, I had to put myself out there and experience  everything but always making sure to have people I trust throughout my journey.”  

When did you first begin to witness you had creative talents?  

“My parents would always say that I’d started having a serious eye for photography way back  when I was four years old when we were on a trip in Hong Kong. Personally, I knew I was  inclined in the arts around that age as well when I’d always draw or make some artwork for my  parents as a gift before they’d come home.”    

How did the name SOM1 (Someone Saw Me) come about?  

“SOM1 is heavily rooted on the works of street artists such as CVTY Collective, Pilipinas Street Plan, Dirty Kid South Crew (DKS), Christian Cresencio (Moks), Rai Cruz, Geloy Concepcion, Quatro  Los Baños (Hapimeel), Jules Tan Cardoso (Pedro), and many more. Back in 2015, everything  started out on my frustration of wanting to become a street artist just like those whom I’ve  mentioned. Being connected on Facebook (and in real life for some), I’d ask their advice and  learn from them on how to improve my handstyle and such. Moks, in particular, helped me come  up with a name. I started out as MS which stands for Misha Salud. Then my friends said that I  should change it since it was a name of a gang - MS-13. So we went back to conceptualizing  until “PISO” came up which evolved from Sophiya to SOPI to PISO. Unfortunately, it was too  confusing and quite generic until we came up with “SOMI”. While practicing different handstyles  for SOMI, I experimented heavily on the “I” to make it look like a “1” so whenever people would  ask, I’d say, “It depends how you want to read it - whether it’s SOMI or SOM1”. It was only this  2018 when I’d realize I should make a wordplay out of it since it fits my philosophy behind it.  Whenever you’d see my slap or brand somewhere, it means that Someone (You) Saw Me.”

With starting a brand, there’s always adversity you face in the beginning. What  difficulties have you faced so far?

“Conceptualizing, brainstorming, and organizing everything together is tedious but always  worth it especially if you know that your work speaks for your philosophy or movement. Also, it’s  challenging to have ideas and concepts in mind but not having the talent, skills, money, or  resources to have it done.     

There are a lot of brands out right now. How do you look to set yourself apart from  them?  

More than just being a brand, I see Someone Saw Me as a movement to recognize and empower  creatives, entrepreneurs, and anyone who is passionate on their craft may it be traditional,  digital, musical art, or even something totally different such as brewing coffee. Whenever I’d  feature people, they’re not necessarily from the street culture or the creative industry. They could come from different walks of life and various industries. The movement is also aimed to uplift the culture 

by empowering them to make their mark by contributing something positive to  their growth as an artist and to the society as well.” 

Your latest sticker release, what inspired this concept?  

“Xin Nian Kuai Le: Chinese New Year was coming and I wanted to release something related to it  in celebration to the event. I initially thought of doing fortune cookies and chinese take out  boxes but a friend told me it didn’t fit our Filipino culture. I then thought of tikoy but it seemed to  simple for me. Later on, I said why not Hen Lin since it’s still very rooted to the local culture and  because my mama always craved for their siomai back when she was pregnant with me. Of  course, I had to make it more personal so I decided to make it look like me since people knew me  for wearing the polo from the F***ING PROBLEMS Collection by Quatro/Hapimeel and Pr()blem  Studios as well as the fuchsia beret I normally wear in shoots or events. I also chose Hen Lin  since my friends from Korner would always tease me by calling me Hen Lin!     

SOGO: For Valentine’s Day, I wanted to try something I don’t normally do or design so I thought  that having something inspired from Sogo would be pretty fun. Since Sogo and Somi already  shared the first 2 letters, it was a lot easier to recreate. I still added my flavor by making the lady  look like me by adding the glasses and changing her skin tone plus adding my other slaps. I was  actually really close to not finishing it since I only thought of it during the wee hours of the 14th  but I told myself to still go for it!”

What could we be expecting from SOM1 (Someone Saw Me) as the rest of the year rolls  out?  

“I honestly have no idea since I could simply change my mind in a snap. However, I’d definitely  want to be collaborating with various artists, brands, and creatives to create different forms of  artwork may it be through slaps, clothing, bags, etc.    As a company, where do you see SOM1 (Someone Saw Me) going?  I honestly am just riding the wave of life and seeing where this movement goes. Hopefully it’s  something big and positive that can impact people’s lives for the better.    What you’ve learned over the years with SOM1 (Someone Saw Me)?  Enjoy the process of learning new things while connecting with people. Appreciate, recognize,  and support those who deserve it. Open yourself to experiences and opportunities that will help  you grow and hone your skills. The movement is a lifelong process and journey of exploring my  own purpose and helping others understand themselves more too. Not everything will be  instant and so we have to trust the process and keep working for the better.”

When it’s all said and done how would you like to be remembered? 

“I would like to be remembered as someone who made her mark in the world by empowering  anyone to be better in their craft to help them uplift society and the culture.”    

Lastly, big advice to small brands  

“Know your passion. Find your purpose. Work consistently on your progress.”  

  

  INSTAGRAM: @SOMEONESAWME/@MISHALUD

FACEBOOK: @SOM1SAWME

WATAWAT: WAGAYWAY MO KAWAL

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?

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

MARY GREEN: PIONEER CLOTHING BRAND IN CAVITE

How was life growing up?

“Medyo laki ako sa striktong magulang,hehe naka-graduate ng Midwifery, mag Nanavy sana kaso na disqualified ako nung nag re-medical. Kaya napasok ako sa bussiness line.”


When did you first begin to witness you had creative talents?

“When I was in Kinder may medal ako Best in Writing, given na ata un pag lefty ka.”


How did the name Mary Green come about?

“Nag isip ako ng name na swak pra sa theme ng brand. Mary - MARIjuana, Green - ung kulay nya.”


Why did you decide to choose making clothes your medium of choice?

“Mahilig ako sa shirts, pag nakaka kita ako nun ng shirt kahit statement shirt lang, naaamazed ako.”



With starting a brand, there’s always adversity you face in the beginning. What difficulties have you faced so far?

“Walang puhunan, nag start ata kme nun, 5k yung puhunan, t-shirt printing pa kame nun..”


There are a lot of brands out right now. How do you look to set yourself apart from them?

“Cheap price pero pede makipagsabayan sa mga high cost shirts.”


Your latest collection/recent, what inspired this concept?

“Gusto kasi ng mga customer talaga mga illustrations, yun hanap nila kaya binalik namen yung mga illustration na designs.”



What could we be expecting from Mary Green as the rest of the year rolls out?

“More designs, marame pang ilalabas caps, shorts, at socks.”


As a company, where do you see Mary Green going?

“More on bussiness. Kaya nagtayo kame ng Collab shop. Mary Green x Monday Holidae.”

Click here for more information

What you’ve learned over the years with Mary Green?

“Maging mabait sa nakakasalamuha,lalo na sa customers. Pakikisama sa tao.”


When it’s all said and done how would you like to be remembered?

“Pioneer clothing brand in Cavite.”

PUFF: FRIENDSHIP OVER BUSINESS

“Ako si Aldrin "Pogi" Millar ng PUFF clothing. Hahahaha! Nagsimula ang PUFF noong 2012, isang clothing na talagang trip-trip lang. Kinausap lang ako ni Franco Gayon na magbuo ng brand. Dahil nung time na yun wala masyadong smokewear, at dahil gamay na nya yung pagdedesign sa mga local at international brands, di na ko nagdalawang isip na ituloy yung offer nya. Una ang binebentahan ko lang mga tropa at schoolmates, akala ko hanggang ganun nga lang eh. Kasi wala talaga kong ideya na aabot sa ganito 'tong brand na 'to. Hahahaha!” 



How was life growing up?

“Lumaki akong mataba. HAHAHAHA! Lumaki ako na hindi marangya ang pamumuhay ng pamilya namin. Maraming struggles pero nalalampasan naman. Swerte ko din na kinalakihan ko ang pagkahilig sa Musika at Sining ng pamilya ko, dun ako natuto at nagkaroon ng hilig sa mga ginagawa ko ngayon.” 


When did you first begin to witness you had creative talents?

“Naramdaman ko na lang na oks pala konsepto ko kahit di ako marunong magdrawing, nung naaappreciate na 'to ng ibang tao. Na kahit yung mga mensahe ng bawat likha namin ay nagegets na din nila. Kaya di nababasag yung tandem namin ni Franco dahil lahat ng design na naiisip ko, 
sya ang nagfifinalize para mailapat sa damit.” 


How did the name PUFF come about?

“Nung una wala akong maisip na pangalan ng brand talaga. Basta ang focus ko nun ay smokewear yung brand na itataguyod ko. Stoned, Stoner, High, etc. kahit alin dun sobrang common ng dating. And then nung pinakita sakin ng designer ko (Franco Gayon) yung unang design namin. Dragon na sabog eh. Unang pumasok sa isip ko yung kanta nila Peter, Paul and Mary na "Puff, The Magic Dragon". Ayun! PUFF!! Tapos yung unang design ay "Puff the Chronic Dragon" hahahaha!”


Why did you decide to choose making clothes your medium of choice?

“Dahil dito ko mas naeexpress yung passion ko sa music at art. Hindi kasi basta pamorma lang ang mga likhang nilalabas namin.” 


With starting a brand, there’s always adversity you face in the beginning. What difficulties have you faced so far?

“Madami masyado eh. Hahaha! Pero siguro noong nagsisimula ako, yung kailangang magpakilala sa target market. Sobrang hirap nun. Kasi nung panahon na yun kailangan mong pumunta sa mga events at makiusap sa mga productions para makapaglatag. Madalas dumadayo ako sa malalayo tapos pamasahe lang dala ko, kailangan makabenta ako para makakain ako at makauwi ako sa Laguna. Haha! Walang kwenta pa ang Facebook at Instagram noon, samantalang ngayon magbabayad ka lang. Isang boost post lang sandamakmak na tao na ang makakakita ng ads mo. Pero ayoko pa din gawin yun. Hahahaha!” 


There are a lot of brands out right now. How do you look to set yourself apart from them?

“Siguro yung pagtaliwas ko sa trend. Na hindi ko kailangang makisabay sa uso para makabenta. At yung pakikitungo ko sa bawat tao na bumibili. Yung merong koneksyon sa kanila, ituring silang kaibigan at hindi lang basta mamimili. Customers? Wala ako nun, tropa marami! Haha! Kaya madami na ding naging loyal sa brand ko, mga sumusuporta simula umpisa hanggang ngayon. Solid eh!” 


Your latest collection/recent, what inspired this concept?

“All-Seeing High at Lipad Kalawakan 2.0”

Ian Tayao wearing All-Seeing High

Ron Henley wearing Lipad Kalawakan 2.0

“Yung All-Seeing High kasi kinuha ko yun sa paniniwala ko noon pa. Na ang bawat isa ay pantay-pantay, walang mataas o mababa, hindi rin basehan ang paniniwala. Kahit sino pa ang kaharap mo, dapat mabuti pa rin ang pakikitungo. 2014 ko pa naisip yun, pero halos 3 years ko pinag-isipan kung paano mailalabas ng maganda at tatatak sa isip ng mga tao ang mensahe. Lipad Kalawakan 2.0 naman, pinahiga ko lang yung unang version ng Lipad Kalawakan. Hahahahaha! Pero binalik ko lang talaga yung konseptong astronaut, kasi dun kami nakilala. Kagaya ng unang Lipad Kalawakan, glow in the dark din ang print para cool. Hahaha! Ang pinakasolid lang sa dalawang designs na 'to, almost 2 hours lang tinagal at nasold-out na after ko ipost sa social media.”



What could we be expecting from PUFF as the rest of the year rolls out?

“Secret! Hahaha! Basta katulad ng dati, biglaan lang at paunahan din. Haha! Hint lang, ibabalik ko yung mga luma na paborito ng karamihan.”


What you’ve learned over the years with Puff?

“SOBRANG DAMI! And until now, natututo pa rin ako. Malaking parte ang PUFF sa pagkatao ko. Fortunately, nakakabuti naman sakin. Hahahaha!” 


When it’s all said and done how would you like to be remembered?

“Gusto ko maalala ng mga tao yung pagiging unique ng PUFF at mainspire sila na kaya natin makamit o maexperience yung mga magagandang bagay na di natin ineexpect sa buhay natin. 
Hanggang ngayon, parang panaginip pa rin lahat eh. Haha!”