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

NOBODY: WE JUST DO US

Hello, We are Nobodies.

How was life growing up?

“As a collective, we came from very different backgrounds, but we are fortunate enough to be immersed in the streets and in a creative environment.”


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

“Before Nobody we we’re already doing creative things individually.”


How did the name NOBODY come about?

“The name felt right at the time and until now. It’s something that best represents us as individuals and as a group.”


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

“The thing with us is; we are makers, creating a t-shirt is the easiest way to get our stories out there. But we don’t limit ourselves to just that.”


With starting a brand, there’s always adversity you face in the beginning. What difficulties have you faced so far?
 
“Our pop-store glass door was broken two times in a span of three days. Ha ha! But seriously, we embrace the struggle. That’s part of what we do.” 



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

“We just do us. The goal is not to be different, but to stay true. Always.”


Your collaboration with THE, what inspired this concept?

THE/TWPM WITH THE BUNCH OF NOBODIES 2018

“The concept is pretty much straight forward. This collaboration is very special to us since we are fans of the brand. Working with them is a dream come true. Parang panaginip. Thank you 2018!”



What could we be expecting from NOBODY as the rest of the year rolls out?

“Expect more collaborations and original collections. We have more stories to tell and crazy ideas to execute.”


As a company, where do you see NOBODY going?

“We don’t really think about those kinds of things. We just want to make more things and tell more stories.”


What you’ve learned over the years with NOBODY?

“There are a lot of things we’ve realized doing this. Talk is cheap. Put in the work, make good things! We are learning everyday. There’s so much more to learn.”


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

Still as Nobodies.


Lastly, big advice to small brands.

“Borrowing the words of our favorite brand, roots before riches yo!”

INSTAGRAM: @nobodyclothing

FACEBOOK: @nobodyclothing

SET SAIL: EXPLORING YOURSELF

Vocalist of SAVE THE DYING HOPE/FRAGMENTS

“I’m Niko Cezar, I am a freelance multimedia artist (not the bullshit multimedia artist seen on local tv) also a musician at some point.”



How was life growing up?

“My Life growing up is just the same as other people we experience ups & downs through our school and personal lives.” 



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

“I don’t know to be honest. I was just trying to  do what my “inspirations” are doing whether it’s graphic design or photography, I’d never thought that I would be where I am right now back then.”



How did the name SET SAIL come about?

“The name set sail has no meaning at first. It’s just a word. But time passed and I’m slowly learning and growing from experiences for me set sail is “sailing” or exploring, exploring yourself, your potentials and discovering new things.” 



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

“This started when I first discovered nick automatic back when I was in high school, they have the best branding identity and cool gore-y/cartoon-y designs which I loved back then. I said to myself that I will take up fine arts or multimedia arts to learn more about designing and using software and branding that pretty much started everything up.” 



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

“Production delays are the worst. 80% of the problems that set sail encounters is from the production of our shirts.” 



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

“We’re not that different. I think the brand is pretty much diverse because we don’t constrict our market to a certain types of people, we wanna be the brand that everyone will wear that they would look cool or proud when they're wearing our brand.” 



Your latest collection, what inspired this concept?

“The latest collection is a mixture of grungy, traditional art and photography. It inspires from band merch, tour shirts, photography, and death metal aesthetics.” 



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

“Expect a lot of shirts ahaha. Jk. We’re releasing shorts, tie dye shirts, windbreakers and hoodies this year.” 



As a company, where do you see SET SAIL going?

“Set sail is currently sailing as of now. We’re sailing smooth and we’ll never stop sailing.
We will get better in producing high quality and authentic products that everyone would wear and enjoy”



What you’ve learned over the years with SET SAIL?

“A lot but committing to this brand is a lot of work. So I guess my passion and my commitment to this brand is what I’ve learned along the way and  I’ve also learned and got better in designing because of set sail.” 



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

“I want people to remember the brand’s legacy.”

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!”

KUSH: MAKING THE BRAND WORTH BUYING

How was life growing up?

“Life is tough back then, bago ko maging clothing owner I was a minimum wage earner. I realized I need to step up. I took the risk, sinubukan kong pumasok sa industriyang ito. It went well, so far.”


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

“When I was in elementary I used to compete in a drawing contest. I was able to compete in an interschool competition. Masaya eh kahit art supplies lang ang prizes okay na sakin. I really like to draw, I appreciate arts.”


How did the name KUSH come about?

“From the word itself is defined as the high grade of cannabis, obviously on where the concept came from.”


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

“So far, sa paglalabas ng designs. Medyo vain ako sa pagapprove ng submitted designs from my artist. Usually sakin pa rin ang ideas then the artist make the execution.”


Your latest collection/recent, what inspired this concept?

“Still, cannabis inspired. As the brand grows, I gradually apply the minimal designs and a pinch of streetwear flavor.”

Check latest collection and giveaways here: KUSH Co.

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

“More rad and cool designs. We always strive for making the brand worth buying.”


As a company, where do you see KUSH going?

“Hopefully, magkaron ng espasyo sa international market. Sa ngayon nakakapagdistribute na kami sa UAE, and sana magkaron pa sa ibang bansa.”


What you’ve learned over the years with KUSH?

“Consistency, wag mong hayaang mawala ka sa eksena. Always take the risk.” 


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

“Literally, wala akong maisip na sagot dito. Hahaha exclude mo na lang siguro question na to.”

THANK YOU!

Leave a comment and suggestion.

BADMAN’S CLOSET: ANTI-KUPAL SINCE DAY ONE

 “ANTI-KUPAL!!!”


How was life growing up?

“Grabe I have nothing talaga walang nasuportang kamaganak as in wala talaga kaya nagrebelde ako at lalo akong nawalan. Ngayon pinagmamalaki na nila ako sobrang sarap sa feeling!”

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

“Nung mga panahong nabili pa ako ng localshirts ng Watawat Clothing palagi akong nagbibigay ng idea kay Aldin Casacop a.k.a King Tuff (Sensei) parang nakulitan ata sakin tapos binigyan nya ako ng ideya sabi nya sakin bakit di ka gumawa ng brand mo nandito naman ako tutulungan kita pati ng tropa (Loonie, Ron Henley.)”

Loonie wearing Anti-Kupal Dynasty and Ron Henley wearing Infest shirt. 

How did the name Badman’s Closet come about?

“Nung nasa bahay ako may bisita kaming manikurista naglilinis sya ng kuko sabi n’ya marunong daw syang manghula saktong nagsusuot ako ng shirts nakita n’ya laman ng aparador ko puros black ang laman black shirts, black  shorts at black caps. Nagulat ako bigla s’yang nagsalita na "Ano ba yang laman ng aparador mo parang aparador ng masamang tao." dun ko naisip yun, hahaha kaya shoutouts kay Ate hahaha!” 

With starting a brand, there’s always adversity you face in the beginning. 

What difficulties have you faced so far?

“Doubts tol sobrang dami nung umpisa. Pero nung pinasok ko sa utak ko na "Okay lang trip trip lang naman to basta gagawin ko to with pride bahala sila kung di nila trip basta gagawin ko ang gusto kong gawin" dun kase ako masaya!”

Your latest collection, what inspired this concept?

“Yung 24k got light ko meron kaseng blunt na 24k tapos yung isa pang meaning nun sobrang halaga na nung juts ngayon tol mahal na hirap pa humanap ng good at sooobrang hirap humanap narin tlaga hahaha! Yung eternal ko naman inspired sya sa kanta ng Bone Thugs-n-Harmony na foe the love of $ tapos dinoble meaning ko nalang na hindi pera ang habol ko kundi credit kaya ganun yung design n’ya.”

What could we be expecting from the Badman’s Closet as the rest of the year rolls out?

“Sa totoo lang inalis ko na sa diksyunaryo ko yang salitang expecting at asa o umasa kaya bahala na basta kung saan ako dadalin ng trip ko hahaha!”

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

“Yung pagiging standout at out of the box na style ko.”

Leave a comment for interview recommendation.

MAD MONKEY: BRINGING THE OLD TO NEW

 “Enrico Mangadap. They call me Ricom. Not a made up street name. MC, Hiphop purist, street entrepreneur.”


How was life growing up?

 “Fun, sometimes may hardtimes. Minsan may sobrang okay. But it was all fun. Namimiss ko pa rin lahat ng taong humubog sa’kin na ‘di ko na nakkita.” 


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

 “Architect si Papa. And he had lots of things na pang design. Nasanay ako using speedball and inks nagagamit ko mag practice gumawa ng calligraphy. Especially The Old English. But, before that, I used to do letters sa wall ng bahay namin mga 4 years old ako. Sabi ni Papa masasanay ako gawin yun. Until nahuli na ko bumobomba sa City Hall dito sa Isabela. Nung pinanganak nga pala ako, yung inunan ko hiningi ni Papa binaon nya yun na may kasamang technical pen.”

How did you come up with the name Mad Monkey Brand?

 “Mad is a slang term for big or huge. Not literally MAD. The monkey, it came from Korn guitarist Munky Shaffer. Gustong gusto namin s’ya ng tropa ko. So, mala classic Hiphop same first letters like JAZZY JEFF, FAB FIVE FREDDY etc. I made MAD MONKEY.” 

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

 “I have tons of ideas na pwede ko i-release as in madami. I got dough but not enough to make a blow!” 


Your latest or recent collection, what inspired this concept?

 “I was never a member of gang in Manila. I was a founder of gang in Isabela. OG [original] collections from shirt to stickers to jersey.” 

Baron Geisler wearing GHETTO jersey by Mad Monkey Brand 

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

 “Expand distribution, currently maliban sa Metro Manila, I have bit sa Davao, Nueva Ecija, UAE, I’m working for more.“ 


As a company, where do you see Mad Monkey going?

“BE THE BEST HIPHOP/GANG WEAR! Badman’s Closet has the street and Hiphop for youngsters, I’ll go for more older dudes.‘Di napaguusapan yun. Some might think we have same market but it’s not, yet we compliment each other.” 

Ra Balingit owner of BMSC 

 What you’ve learned over the years with Mad Monkey Brand?

“How to handle shittty inquiries, LOL. Learned how to forecast the entire collection, from sales to distribution to inventory and knowing how to sell ice to an Eskimo.” 


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

“The owner of the brand who brings back the OG’s. The baggy; the loose.”

@madmonkeybrand

New interview every week so stay tune..