The Painted Prints©

2009-08-18T10:25:00.001-07:00

Vintage Thrilla t-shirt

2009-04-06T11:25:00.000-07:00

At long last, we are proud to present the first vintage t-shirt from our design partners at ARKANE™... and just in time to celebrate the release of a new documentary celebrating the legendary fight. "The Thrilla in Manila" will be screened on HBO just before the Pacquiao/Hatton fight on May 2nd at 9:30p.m.

This vintage reproduction t-shirt is printed on soft, 100% organic cotton, in both men's and women's sizes.

"I was the thrilla in the Ali/Frazier Manila..." - The GZA

You never forget your first thrill...

2009-03-27T18:16:00.000-07:00

How often in one's lifetime, or in any given century, is there a sporting match that takes on TRULY legendary proportions? Maybe a handful. This May 2nd at 9:30p.m., just prior to the Pacquiao/Hatton fight, HBO's will be screening a documentary on one of the last generation's historic sports events: Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier's third and final showdown for the Heavyweight Boxing Championship of the World, "The Thrilla in Manila."

How important and influential was this fight? Anyone can (and should) check out some of the many boxing resources, biographies and documentaries about Ali to get an understanding of his complex relationship with Joe Frazier, the Nation of Islam and the U.S. military and develop a sense of the cultural significance around this sporting event... and hopefully the HBO documentary will help to develop and revive this story to inspire a new generation. Taking the pop culture view, we see the influence of this fight in the creation and subsequent success of the film, "Rocky," in hip-hop lyrics used as street-cred metaphors from artists as diverse as The GZA, Keith Murray, Chamillionaire, Dem Franchise Boyz (and many more), and in fact the phrase, "Thrilla in Manila" is still used by default to describe exciting happenings in the Philippines, such as Quentin Tarantino's 2008 acceptance of a lifetime achievement award.

How badass was Muhammad Ali at this time? Bruce Lee proclaimed that didn't think he could take him, when they were both in their prime. How deep does this rivalry go? Joe Frazier's still raw about it. In the end, though, and as in all wars, both sides had victories, both suffered losses... and there was one final champion.

Fast-forward to 2009. In Manny Pacquiao, we have a Filipino boxer and current international sports hero at the top of his game. And it so happens that HBO is airing this newly-released documentary the night of the fight? It doesn't take a sports analyst or marketing guru to figure out that Manny Pacquiao is reviving the sport of boxing and that the Philippines has been returning to the collective consciousness as a result. And so in honor of this resurgence (and by a stroke of luck and coincidence, aided in part by our friend Carlo of Manila Gorilla), we have a vintage designed t-shirt just in time to celebrate... the inspiration, the first but not certainly not the last, "Thrilla in Manila..."

Interview with Mike Dytri of Ludwig

2009-03-24T09:27:00.000-07:00

This is a really cool video interview with Mike Dytri, the creative director for a brand called Ludwig. For all of you aspiring designers out there, he shows the process involved in creating clean graphics... and for those of you working on the next great street wear company, well, check this out:

Mike D. - Ludwig Van the Man from nima neems on Vimeo.

A Pintado at Ox

2009-03-23T10:03:00.001-07:00

This is from an interesting blog I just discovered, called Ox Barrio: There's an inaccuracy or two (see bottom of this blog), but this is otherwise a really interesting and informative article about our favorite icon/iconoclast and Filipino tattoo culture. Special thanks to the author!

While doing research on tattooing history of the Philppines in Oxford, I stumbled upon a 16 x 20 engraving of a print advert of Prince Giolo (”Jeoly) as part of the circus of curiosities in England. He died of smallpox in Ox in 1692 and was buried in a cemetery five minutes away from my residence. I wrote this in part for my research.

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During the Spanish global exploration of the Philippines in the early 1500’s, the encounter with the early Filipinos in the Visayan island were called pintados or painted people. The prominent men marked their whole bodies with elaborate designs by black indelible powder. There were also widely traveled Englishmen who reached the shores of Philippines and depicted the full body markings of the Visayan men. The Belgian Theodor De Bry in the 1500’s produced numerous engravings and lithographs that portray a highly Europeanized depiction of the pintados encountered in an exploration to the Far East. The word also made its way to the Oxford English Dictionary, the practice linked the etymology of the word tatu in one of the earliest accounts of J. Burney in 1803 stating that “natives of the Philippines had the custom of marking their bodies in the manner, which, to use a word lately adopted from the language of a people more recently discovered, we call tattow.” Further, tattow is characterized by a “painful operation to form permanent marks or designs found on the skin by puncturing it and inserting a pigment of pigments.” Other variations include tatu, tatau, and tataoua, meaning “to strike or to stamp.” “Tattow,” as it was known throughout Polynesia and the globalizing world thus came into English usage as the word tattoo.

Prince Giolo: The Tattooed Prince
William Dampier, an English explorer in his account of Voyages Around the World (1717), graphically depicts the full body marking of one Visayan man, Prince Giolo (“Jeoly”) from the Meangis island of Southern Mindanao:

“He was painted all down the Breast, between his Shoulders behind; on his Thighs (mostly) before; and in the form of several broad Rings, or Bracelets around his Arms and Legs. I cannot liken the Drawings to any Figure of Animals, or the like; but they were very curious, full of great variety of Lines, Flourishes, Chequered Work & keeping a very graceful Proportion and appearing very Artificial, even to wonder, especially that upon and between his shoulders-blades.”

Dampier’s account relates how Prince Giolo and members of his family were enslaved when they were blown off course in a storm to another island. In 1690, Dampier purchased a half share in Giolo and his similarly tattooed mother, who soon died on board the ship. Dampier writes that Giolo was a son of a raja (king) in Mindanao and was tattooed with intricate designs by his wife and noble women on many occasions. He was adorned with necklaces, heavy earrings and gold abundant in the island as his huge earlobes would show. In 1668, a Spanish account by Alzina narrates that tattooing was rampant in the region. The women priestesses or babaylans are the ones who perform the tattooing on men. The person who did not tattoo himself is considered a coward, for they said, if a man did not have the courage to bear the pain inflicted by needles, how would he able to face the pain caused by enemy lances. For this reason, the braver men added additional tattoos to the usual ones which covered the body from ankles to the groin. The abdomen also was tattooed and covered the breast like a breastplate which started from the waist or stomach and ascended with great symmetry and method to the neck. In the back, the tattoo started from the ankles and went up to the waist; from there it went up to the neck.

Only the more brave and daring extended it to the neck, cheeks, eyes and forehead, tattooing even the eyelids with rays and cheeks with evenly spaced lines that went up to the nose, lips and chin or went around to the temples and front, giving them a fierce look. Giolo’s tattoos were such, for the English described the designs “as snakes and scorpions that come to life” as protection from enemies. Although considered as a “savage custom and an object of curiosity” by those who are not accustomed to it, in reality, tattooing was a means to inscribe traditional beliefs on the human body, a practice which is part and parcel of a broader range of ritual practices among the Bisayas.

Object of Curiosity
In 1691, Giolo was brought to England, it was not surprising that he became an object of curiosity. At St. John’s College, one of the old college libraries in Oxford, the original 16 x 20 broadsheet advertising published in 1692 of Giolo’s public appearance is found. The hand-written caption described Giolo as a “famous painted prince of about 30 years with exquisite and prodigious markings on a well-proportioned body.” Giolo was put on show, first as a sensation for the eyes of the London elite, including King William and Queen Mary and leased to an impresario, to satisfy the curiosity of the gaping crowd at the Blew Boar’s Head on Fleet Street in London. Giolo also became a subject of linguists when his language is not clearly understood by the English. Giolo died of smallpox in Oxford. He was buried at the churchyard of St. Ebbes, Oxford. After his death in England, part of the skin of Giolo was eventually “taken off by a surgeon [named Theodore Poynter] at the desire of the university who was willing to preserve it at the Anatomy School” (Musaem Pointerioum Vol. IV: 23). While the tattoos of Giolo provided a ‘sense of wonder’ for the spectators as a ‘rarity,’ the extraction of the part of the body whetted the ‘appetite’ of a scientific curiosity which then sought to uncover what lay underneath the tattooed skin. The public’s curious fascination with tattoos continued in coming decades with the participation of tattooed Filipinos in world fairs in the 19th century. Prince Giolo is an example of a “captured body” from a remote place, one body decorated with ‘strange’ and indelible images that remain unexplained until today.

Pintados today
Filipinos in Samar and Leyte commemorate the discovery of the pintados through a festival. The most anticipated aspect of the celebration are the festive dancers, painted from head to toe with colorful designs that resemble ‘painted ones’ (pintado) as they were found by the early explorers. The folk dances depict the many traditions that flourished before the Spaniards came to the Philippines: worship of idols, indigenous music and epic stories. However, there is no known practice of actual tattooing in the area to revive this tradition or the knowledge of the tattooed prince, Giolo.

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[NOTE: Giolo was not originally from Mindanao, and was not a Filipino - at least not through a modern lens. Meangis (alternately referred to as Moangis, Miangas, or “Island of Palmas”) is not considered a part of the Philippines (although whether it was previously, I don't know), according to a 1928 U.N. document titled "The Island of Palmas case", but rather “…Palmas (or Miangas) is a single, isolated island, not one of several islands clustered together. It lies about half way between Cape San Augustin (Mindanao, Philippine Islands) and the most northerly island of the Nanusa (Nanoesa) group (Netherlands East Indies).” Traveling with his family from Meangis in a small vessel that lost control, Giolo was enslaved first in Mindanao and then traded to a different master before finally becoming Dampier’s “Prince.” - BTC]

Deep Foundation - Children of the Sun Remix (f/ Hydroponikz, Nomi, Koba, Kiwi & Encite)

2009-03-17T11:31:00.000-07:00

Watch Deep Foundation - Children of the Sun Remix (f/ Hydroponikz, Nomi, Koba, Kiwi & Encite) in Music | View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

it's not what you make, it's how you make people feel...

2009-01-29T14:17:00.000-08:00

Bambu "Crooks & Rooks" Music Video [Official UNCENSORED Version]

2009-01-29T13:37:00.000-08:00

Jeepney featured in Format Mag

2009-01-17T18:16:00.000-08:00

Karlo Reyes of Jeepney Clothing was recently featured on Format Magazine... check out the article for some sneak peeks of the Spring '09 line:

A brand rooted in Filipino culture, Jeepney was founded in Seattle in 2003. The brand’s name, Jeepney straight from the Philippines, is also the most popular means of public transportation in the country. Revamped US military jeeps left over from World War II, today Jeepney’s are known for their flamboyant decoration and crowded seating and have become a symbol of Philippine culture. Karlo Reyes founder and creative director brings Jeepney to the world of streetwear.

Format: Please state who you are and your role at Jeepney Clothing.

Karlo: I am Karlo Reyes and I am the founder and Creative Director of Jeepney.

Format: Give us a brief history of the line.

Karlo: I started Jeepney in 2003 when I did a few t-shirts for a community festival. I ended up selling out of all the tees so I decided to keep doing it. I brought on my business partner now, Rex Korrell late in ‘03 to help with the operations and the sales side and the rest is history.

The name Jeepney is from a bus/jeep in the Philippines in which each Jeepney has its own distinct look. We took that same concept and put it into the world of apparel. At the same time, the owners are Filipino so we wanted to represent the Filipino culture with something they could be proud of and not think was cheesy or corny.

Format: What is your background in design?

Karlo: I came from a Graphic Design background. I graduated from the Visual Communications Design program at the University of Washington and I had my own design firm when I was first starting Jeepney.

Format: Who are your key players and what are their roles?

Karlo Reyes: CEO and Creative Director
Rex Korrell: COO and the Sales Manager
Ramil Azucena: Graphic Designer
David Gavino: Graphic Designer
Alana Garcia: Marketing
Nicole Anselmo: Operations

Format: You’ve featured Jack Nicholson from The Shining. Why?

Karlo: Well, all of our designs have an underlined meaning to them, we like to use humor and with a deeper concept with most of our designs. We don’t like just putting an image on a tee and calling it a day. So for the Jack Nicholson tee, it’s the scene in The Shining where his head pops out of the door. But with our tee, he has gold fronts on his teeth and on the back, it says “Still Shinin.”

Format: You’ve featured The Pilsbury Doughboy wearing a cap and a handkerchief. Why?

Karlo: Just like the Still Shinin tee – the Doughboy tee is pretty conceptual (and funny – at least we think so!). If you recall in the movie, Boyz in The Hood, Ice Cube’s name is Doughboy. So we used the Pilsbury Doughboy and gave him Ice Cubes look from the movie and on the back, it says “I make dough but don’t’ call me doughboy” (which are lyrics from an Ice Cube song) in the Boyz In The Hood font.

Format: Twitch from So You Think You Can Dance rocks Jeepney. What other celebs rock your stuff?

Karlo: We’ve had a bunch of crews from Americas Best Dance Crew rock our stuff (Boogie Bots, So Real Crew), Kanye West, Black Eyed Peas, The Cool Kids, 106 & Park hosts, etc, etc. Sometimes, we’ll just catch people on TV wearing our shirts. We even saw Perez Hilton rocking a Jeepney shirt which was pretty funny.

Format: It says you’re 23 and from Seattle on your MySpace page, is that accurate?

Karlo: Naw, I’m not really sure why it says that. The owners are all in their upper 20’s to early 30’s. But a lot of our other staff
are in their early 20’s so I guess that’s why it says that.

Format: What is it like to be a young business owner in the fashion industry today?

Karlo: These last few years have been a really exciting time to be in the fashion industry: the resurgence of street culture, the fragmentation of streetwear, the endless possibilities that the Internet has given the designer. I’m glad that I could witness it happening and be a part of it.

For more of this interview, check out Format Magazine.

Holiday discounts from your favorite Filipino clothing companies!

2008-12-09T14:13:00.001-08:00

This Holiday Season 2008, our good friends at Manila Gorilla & Pnoy Apparel are partnering up EXCLUSIVELY with The Prince Giolo Apparel Group™ to offer you special discounts of UP TO 50% OFF ON ALL ITEMS through the month of December, so you can finish up your holiday shopping online!

Manila Gorilla is offering 10% off and FREE SHIPPING (and optional gift box for only $2!) on all items. Simply visit the shop at www.manilagorilla.com and include code: PRINCEGIOLO in the "Add special instructions to merchant" field when you check out to receive a rebate on your purchase!

[Click on the sample below to see a detailed screen shot]

Pnoy Apparel is offering an incredible 50% off of everything in stock! To take advantage of this special discount, visit the shop at www.pnoyapparel.com and include code: PRINCEGIOLO in the "Redeem Coupon" field to enjoy the holiday savings!

[Click on the sample below to see a detailed screen shot]

HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE!

The Art of Pac-Man (Part 2): Interview with Ellezar Javier of Pnoy Apparel

2008-12-09T09:39:00.001-08:00

Being the hard-working, entrepreneurial spirit that he is, it's been a long time since Ellezar and I have had a chance to actually sit down and talk shop. The most prominent innovator in what might be considered the second wave of Filipino-American streetwear, Ellezar and his team at The Pnoy Apparel Company are taking their brand to new heights, and resetting the bar for many other apparel companies in our community. It was a rare treat to chat with him about all the exciting changes that Pnoy Apparel has going on (including his experience designing for Team Pacquiao!) and are planning for the future:

Painted Prints: Let's go back to the early days for you guys... can you talk about your influences when you were starting the company? And what inspired you in the first place?

Ellezar Javier: Well, we started the company back in 2000. Our inspiration was to put out a Filipino-inspired clothing company with meaning, quality, and fashion… to display our culture and educate our young about the homeland our past, our wars, our future, the politics, greed, etc.

PP: Did you feel that something was missing?

EJ: I wouldn't say anything was missing, but we just wanted to put something out from our vision, and our eyes, and our experiences.

PP: It's been really interesting watching the "rebirth" of your company of the past year or so... it's been a really big leap for you guys. Can you talk about what it's like taking your business to the next level?

EJ: I knew from the beginning what I wanted to do for the company, I just didnt realize when it would happen. It was a balancing out with college, work, and doing the business through the first years of Pnoy Apparel. But, once the right team came around and "stuck it out”...then we took things more serious.

PP: As a businessman myself, I have to say, I've found it really inspiring.

EJ: Actually, you’re the inspiration. Only a few years ago we finally incorporated and started putting order to our chaos (a.k.a., our ideas). The crazy thing is, we still have sooo many more ideas that will come to life in ’09. It’s just a matter of time and resources… and on top of that our Shirt The Kids Charity Campaign!

PP: What's been the biggest challenge for you with all the different types of projects you've been working on lately?

EJ: The major challenge is resources!

PP: Such as...?

EJ: We have a lot of work! Not enough people or time.

PP: Let's move on to the fight. I saw that video with Pac-Man training with a Pnoy Apparel t-shirt on. What was that like for you?

EJ: It was amazing. I got e-mails and phone calls from people seeing our clothes on Manny Pac… it was an honor and exciting at the same time.

But to me... I take more honor and excitement from people who buy our gear online and I see them on the streets, especially not knowing them. Now, that’s more exciting than anything else because they believe the message we are putting out.

PP: That's an interesting distinction... in a way, I wouldn't have expected to hear you say that. But of course, it's always about community for us.

EJ: Well, our customers are our celebrities, my man!

PP: Right on!

EJ: They took their hard earned money on our gear. I’m always - and that’s without a doubt - always taken aback. Even being here, doing this interview is a blessing.

PP: Peace to that. Before we move on, I did want to ask you about the special design that Pacquiao's people commissioned? Can you talk about that? Where will we see it?

EJ: Well, we did a special, limited edition Team Pacquiao [shirt] for Manny's tour in NYC & New Jersey. They approached us and gave us creative control, to a limit of course. Hah

But it captured what Manny stands for...for GOD and Country! We will not be making the tee available online, but if you got one!! DAMN, i dont even have one! Haha

PP: You didn't keep one for yourself? : )

EJ: Naw, man… haha. To be honest, I didn’t like the design myself! Hahah But they loved it! It was a freelance job, so I wanted to make sure the "customer" was beyond happy and satisfied, and they were. Doesn’t mean I personally liked it : )

PP: So what's up for tonight? The lineup for your event looks wicked. I think we should back up a little, though, and talk about your charity campaign...

EJ: Mos definitely. The “Shirt the Kids” charity campaign is our way to give back to the kids in the Philippines. Every $5 donation buys a child in the Philippines a “Sammy The Sunshine” tee. Our initial goal was 10K for 10K kids, but seeing it in person...we are no longer putting a limit. There are way too many kids that can benefit from Shirt the Kids.

PP: How do you go about finding the right organization to work with in the Philippines so that you can be of the most service?

EJ: Well, we did some research… the Philippine Children's Fund fit the bill. Not only did they have a U.S. office, but also an office in the Philipines that can accomodate the distribution.

PP: It’s great that the community has been really supportive so far! Judging by the blog you put up about your trip, and seeing the response from the New York community when you were here for Independence Day, I can only imagine what tonight's event will be like!

EJ: Maybe two or three people will show up. Haha That’s me, my dad, and one extra person… haha

PP: I know you might not have a favorite performer amongst all the talent that will be there, but is there anyone who you are especially looking forward to seeing tonight?

EJ: The crowd! They are who I am looking forward to seeing!

PP: How did I know you'd say that! : )

EJ: Ahha

PP: Love, man! : ) I think this project is great. I love that it's business and real community work coming together : )

EJ: Yea man. Well, “Shirt the Kids” is just the beginning. Just to let u know, the “Shirt the Kids” charity showcase has been requested to go on tour.

PP: That's great! I was just about to say, I wish I could be there tonight.

EJ: St. Louis has expressed interest. And you KNOW we're doing NYC!!!

PP: Sweet! We need some of that sunshine out here, you know.

EJ: Oh man, we're bringing it.

PP: I guess my last question for today is this:

There have been quite a few new Filipino clothing companies that have started up in the past say... 5 years or so. And I think that it's inspired in a significant way by what you guys are doing.

What advice would you have, I guess... not for your competitors, but for young artists out there who are trying to make a business out of what they do?

EJ: Yea, there has been a lot. But for us, we don’t see them as our competitors.

PP: How do you see them?

EJ: We continue to do our thing and we push… we're like a cannon...fire and we're off! A lot of them are our homies, which is cool. In ‘09 we'll see how the term "apparel" really means. It’s going to be amazing! But as far as advice...grind it. It’s harder than what you think.

PP: That seems like a healthy point of view to me. Word up! Love your optimism and drive, man.

All the best on your event tonight! We'll catch up soon.

EJ: No, thank you... it’s always an honor. But honestly, this is why we do the business...relationships. After Pnoy App is done...we'll still be homies.

PP: I do appreciate your taking the time out for this. Let's build those bridges!
______________________

James Berroya, aka The Brown Thomas Crown, aka Walking Stick, aka... Interviewer

Based in NY (for the time being), Mr. Berroya writes and draws unprofessionally when he finds a free moment. A former co-founder, writer, copy editor and general layabout for the now-defunct LMNtal. magazine (a product of Magik Stump Studios), Stick is now slinging t-shirts and schemin' on how to run thangs.

The Art of Pac-Man (Part 1): Interview with Carlo Garcia of Manila Gorilla

2008-12-08T09:19:00.000-08:00

In the wake of the big fight, we here at the Painted Prints blog thought it would be enlightening to present a series of interviews on all of the t-shirt companies in our community that are celebrating our latest and greatest national sports hero, Manny Pacquiao, in their designs. First up we had a natural choice in speaking with Carlo Garcia, the owner, operator and lead designer of Manila Gorilla:

Painted Prints: Ok, so... let's talk about the fight for a second. What did you think about the matchup?

Carlo Garcia: There was a lot of hype on both sides, "Oscar's too old," "Manny's too young," "it's fixed".

For me I was just excited to see 2 of my favorite fighters in the ring at the same time. Folks were saying, "they're just doing it for the money". I usually tune all that stuff out and enjoy the fight punch for punch.

PP: I agree... I'm usually just glad to see an interesting fight card. It seems like Pacquiao is getting the boxing world excited again, and it's inspiring to see the way he's captured the hearts of the Filipino community... he represents the aspirations of so many people. What makes him such a compelling figure for you?

CG: There's 2 things. First, I've always admired fighters, whether it was boxing, martial arts, or civil rights activists. There's something about the struggle that draws me in. Second, I grew up Filipino in America, which means I was pretty much invisible. When I was young, most people I met never heard of the Philippines. I always got "what are you - Chinese? Japanese? Korean? No? Then what the hell are you then?"

Coming from a place like that, it feels good whenever a kababayan gets exposure for doing something positive and helps redefine the public's perception of what it means to be Filipino.

PP: In that light, I wonder what your feelings are about his forays into Philippine politics?

CG: Well, you can't be an athlete forever. Living in a world where movie stars and professional wrestlers easily win elections, I'm not surprised about his career move. If Jesse the Body Ventura can be governor, why can't Manny Pacquiao?

PP: I still think that the entire cast of Predator should run for office!

CG: Hehe you got my vote. Seriously though, I'm probably the wrong guy to ask. I think politics is dirty so for me the only path to true change is from the bottom up. It has to start with the people.

PP: Let's talk about your art and design work. I think yours were the first Pacquiao t-shirt designs I'd ever seen... but you also had canvasses when we first met. What's your arts background?

CG: I'm mostly self taught. I've taken some design classes to try to formalize my education but I have a DIY approach to lots of things so if I need to learn something, I usually just do it. I've always been into art. Like many people of my generation I developed a fascination with graffiti from an early age and I started experimenting with mural styles on walls and freight trains. That expanded to canvas work but I enjoy murals more because of the scale.

Regarding the Pacquiao shirts, it just happened naturally. Before I started Manila Gorilla, the people who would become the core of our project, including myself were organizing a Filipino Cultural summer camp in Edison, NJ. I began to print t-shirts for our camp counselors as a thank you. The first year (2004) we did the Philippine flag. Believe it or not, just a few years ago, there weren't many options if you wanted a shirt with a Philippine flag on it.

The next year I wanted a stronger image so I thought of Pacquiao. I Googled around and was surprised that nobody else had done it. I mean, the only options for a Pacquiao shirt at that time were 2 wack designs from Nike and a cut-and-paste CafePress shirt. It just seemed to me that nobody was treating the subject matter with the respect it deserved. That's when I decided to put my stuff out.

A few years later now and everyone is making their own shirts, which is cool to see. Even Nike stepped up their game big time.

PP: It was cool, though, that they got a Filipino artist to do the work!

CG: No doubt. The new Nike shirts are ill. Hehe I'm getting one for sure. It's the older shirts from a few years ago that were wack - looked like a cut and paste photo bullet-proof printed in large format on the front.

PP: What's the story on your own limited edition shirt?

CG: Apart from the shirts I make in the store, I do custom stuff as well. My brother's friend Brian who from what I hear has a sick collection of sneakers e-mailed one day and asked if we could customize the colors of one of our designs to match a certain pair of SB dunks. We did it, he liked it, we liked it, and so things were cool. Last week he came back and asked for a custom joint for fight night. It was a rush, but we pulled it off and got 2 custom shirts for him and his friend right before the fight. I liked the shirt he designed so much that I made myself one, though I changed the shirt color to keep his unique. I told myself if Pacquiao wins I'd put it in the store for a week as a 'victory lap'. The thing that makes it special is the reflective ink, which makes the design pop out when you shine a light at it. It's expensive to produce, especially for a small shop like ours, but hey, it's a celebration, we gotta go all out.

PP: Right on! Now, I was at your site the other day, and I noticed one of your Pacquiao canvasses had an autograph on it... is there a story behind that?

CG: That was from the day I went to the Pacquiao-De la Hoya press conference at the Statue of Liberty! I'm man enough to admit I was a total geeked out fan that day - just happy to be amongst all the die hard Pacland folks. I got to stalk 2 of my favorite fighters all over Liberty Island, got to meet Freddie Roach and Buboy, and even got to shake the champ’s hand! That autograph is actually a 3x5 photo print of my original 'Game Over' painting, which I was able to get signed thanks to my friend Ted, who was able to get through the crazy paparazzi maze.

PP: That's really cool...

CG: This is probably the last time we do Pacquiao related stuff though. The original intention was to make a contribution by making something visually stunning to give a voice to the unsung.

Since we started making the shirt, Manny has sung loud enough for himself for the whole world to hear his story. Hehe he doesn't need our help anymore.

PP: So, what's next for Manila Gorilla, then?

CG: We're just gonna keep making stuff in the lab. When we like the stuff we make, we'll share it and put it in the store. I just finished printing a batch of skateboards inspired by indigenous Filipino art. Outside of the stuff we do for ourselves, we're continuing to make stuff for our community like making basketball uniforms for local leagues, printing promotional tees for different groups and artists, and we just got some new equipment so now we can make large banners for trade shows. Basically the plan is to have fun making stuff and helping people in the community get their word out there.

PP: Fantastic! It's great to see that you put so much heart and soul into your work and have such a deep concern for quality… I’m really appreciating the home-grown feeling of your shop. So, do you have any final words for today, or any advice for artists in the community that want to start putting their work out?

CG: If you love it, just do it. It doesn't matter where you came from or how much schooling you had. Free your mind and your ass will follow. Hehe if you want more advice, get at us directly. We love collaborating and exchanging energy with all types of people that do stuff - artists, activists, musicians, dancers, designers, business folk, rich, poor, light, dark, even if you're just an average working stiff joe like me, we don't discriminate.

PP: Alright man, well I appreciate your taking the time out for this interview. We'll catch up in the new year, and all the best to you in '09!

CG: Same to you!

______________________

James Berroya, aka Frankie Machine, aka Triple L, aka... Interviewer

"It's mandatory that I supply all my troops
With mega firearms
Big apes, and spread 'em out
Like crops on a farm" -The GZA

ESPN feature on Pac Man

2008-11-04T12:53:00.001-08:00

Word to the Nerds.

2008-10-23T10:10:00.001-07:00

Right, so my moms got me the word-a-day calendar last X-mas...

Philippic \fe-'li-pik\ n: a discourse or declamation full of bitter condemnation: tirade

Did You Know?
In 351 B.C. the Greek orator Demosthenes delivered a fiery speech warning his countrymen against the imperialistic designs of Philip II, king of Macedon, and chastising them for their timidity and inaction. In Greek, this and subsequent such speeches made by Demosthenes were known as philippikoi logoi, literally "speeches relating to Philip." Demosthenes is known to have delivered only three Philippics; in contrast, the Philippics of the Roman statesman Marcus Tullius Cicero attacking Marc Antony some 300 years later - orationes philippicae in Latin (so named because of their similarity to Demosthenes' orations) - numbered 14. We still capitalize the word when we refer to these famous diatribes, but ever since 1592 "philippic" has been lowercased in English and in its broader sense as well.

What Set of Clothes You Claimin'...

2008-10-21T11:07:00.000-07:00

The thread about commerce, gangs, apparel companies and public policy from the New York Times is interesting... the issue that is (once again) on the table is the responsibility that companies have for the messages they support and the ethics behind selling & marketing to the street:

Stamping Out Gang Symbols on Sports Gear

Hearing Planned on Gang Insignia on Clothing

Yankees Caps Pulled After Protesters See Gang Links In Symbols & Colors

We Goin’ Green, Muthafucka’!

2008-09-30T08:37:00.000-07:00

Words from "The Empress," Miss Kristia of Doorknockers and courtesy of FOBBDeep:

Many people I meet consider me “environmentally-conscious.” I thought I was doin pretty good, then I did this activity called the Ecological Footprint. It’s a survey where you are asked about everyday things you do - how long your showers are, whether or not you compost, how much you recycle, what kind of foods you eat - and it tells you at the end how much of the earth’s resources you’re using up.

The activity tells us that there are 2 hectares available to each human being in the world. Yo so tell me why my co-workers and I completed it we all found out that we were using 6-8 hectares each. What you find is that when people who live in the West (North American and Western Europe) take the test, we’re usually using far more of the world’s resources than other folks.

I seriously encourage you to take the activity. Even for the treehuggers, it’s enlightening to be reminded of how much of an impact your everyday actions have. When you go shopping for those new stillettos or kicks, you’re not just contributing to fucked up labor standards, meanie corporations, you’re also using up natural resources. Water is needed to make practically everything from plastics to dyed fabrics.

So here I am, I use cloth napkins (99cent bandannas to be exact) in my house, I recycle like a muhfucka, but I’m still wasting so much. I mean 7.72 hectares?! Goddamn. So that’s it, I decided. We goin green yo. All or nothin. I live in the U.S. for now but still, what things can I do in the meantime? Well here’s a small list of shit I’ve changed this week since doing the Ecological Footprint… [more]

We've joined the rest of the known universe...

2008-08-28T09:47:00.000-07:00

on Facebook (and MySpace).

We are legion.

Nike x Manila street art

2008-08-25T09:19:00.001-07:00

Murals by Electrolychee, Team Manila & Caliph8 for a Nike project in Manila from earlier this year...

Philippine convicts turn fashion designers

2008-08-03T16:15:00.000-07:00

"Inmates in some of the most notorious prisons in the Philippines have found their dignity after discovering a new way to channel their creative skills into design and fashion.

"Marga Ortigas talks to a young Filipino designer who teaches them how to hand-paint silks and weave beads on to fabrics."

- from Al-Jazeera TV:

Revisiting: Hellz Bellz at United - NYC (LNTV)

2008-05-24T16:39:00.000-07:00

Last summer, I went to check out United NYC - our first trade show as a buyer. By far, my favorite experience of the day was chatting with Lanie from Hellz Bellz about Filipino clothing designers and checking out her Winter 2007 line. I just came across this video of her (shot the day we met, I believe) and it shows just how down-to-earth and 'bout-her-business this lady is...

Jeepney Clothing Interview from Agenda 2008 (LNTV)

2008-05-24T16:14:00.000-07:00

In this interview (shot by Label Networks TV), Karlo Reyes of Jeepney Clothing discusses their start as clothing designers, their design philosophy and influences, and shares samples from their Spring 2008 line:

Tribal Pinoy - Closeout Sale!

2008-04-27T13:29:00.000-07:00

Get 10% off of your order by joining our mailing list today!

In remembrance of an innovative apparel brand that helped paved the way for the many Fil-Am apparel companies out there today, and in appreciation for all of you who have joined our mailing list over the years, we're having a final TRIBAL PINOY TRIBUTE SALE on all Tribal Pinoy apparel that will be honored until the last of our stock is gone!

TRIBAL PINOY WOMEN'S LINE:

LIMITED-TIME OFFER:

* Purchases made by current mailing list subscribers receive a 25% discount!

* First 23 customers to order by mail receive a free gift!

* Purchases made by new mailing list subscribers receive a 10% discount - share this offer with Tribal Pinoy fans amongst your friends and family so that they can take part in this limited-time offer!

TRIBAL PINOY MEN'S LINE:

$$$ - Pricing - $$$

T-shirts - $18
Tank Tops - $18
Raglan - $20

* Photographs represent the colors and styles we currently have in stock

To purchase from our remaining Tribal Pinoy stock, send us an e-mail (make sure to include your t-shirt size and any color preferences), contact us by phone at (516) 717-7909, or else feel free to locate us at one of our upcoming events!

All sales are FINAL and will be on a first come, first served basis. Selections are limited to the sizes and colors that remain in stock. Please contact us for specific information pertaining to your order. All orders will be shipped USPS flat rate. We can accept payment via credit card, Paypal, USPS money orders & personal checks at this time.

Neil Armstrong to be Jay-Z's D.J.

2008-04-01T21:43:00.000-07:00

(Words courtesy of the peeps at FOBBDEEP & Predakon)

So it turns out that the rumor that Jay-Z is half-Filipino isn’t true. And, no, Foxy Brown isn’t half-Filipino either. I think Jay-Z just had a problem with Asian specificity.

But the good news is that one of my favorite DJ’s came up on probably the greatest hip-hop DJ gig of today:

“Your boy Neil Armstrong of the Almighty 5th Platoon will be Jay-Z‘s DJ for the Heart of the City Tour. Yes, Jay-Z, not J-Zone as Daddy Dog used to say to me. I’ll be rocking the stage along with Mr. Carter and Mary J across the U.S. and Canada, check out http://www.defjam.com for tour dates in a city near you.”

The 5th Platoon DJ crew has been a big part of the East Coast hip-hop scene and a big influence on DJs around the world. Neil Armstrong is most most noted for his depth of mix CDs covering spans of hip-hop music samples, slow jams, corny 80’s R&B, etc. Just about every hip-hop head I know has at least one of his mixes.

I’m glad more artists are gravitating towards skilled DJ’s as being more than a mere stage prop.

Ryan Suda (of Blacklava) Interview

2008-03-31T14:26:00.000-07:00

I just discovered this clip of our friend, Ryan Suda, interviewed by Renee from Fresh Off The Box.

Ryan is the owner of Blacklava Clothing, and a pioneer in the Asian-American arts & fashion world. I'm not quite sure how long he's been in business now, but since meeting Ryan in 2005, he's been nothing but generous in sharing his experiences, giving constructive feedback, and offering his take on how to succeed as a small business & clothing designer. Just the sheer number of artists he's helped over the years to bring their messages to the community makes him a person we continue to root for!

Check out this short clip - he talks about how he got started and the meanings behind the messages on his t-shirts. For more of this 3-part interview you can go to the Fresh Off The Box weblog:

Lawd Have Mercy...

2008-03-10T16:20:00.001-07:00

Memories of Tribal Pinoy

2008-02-24T19:00:00.000-08:00

In Spring of 2005, I got it into my head that I should contact Edwin Habacon from Tribal Pinoy about being his East Coast business partner. Back then, Tribal was 10 years old or so, and having done some research, I thought that it was one of maybe two or three companies out there making t-shirts for the Fil-Am community. Regardless, I had some great ideas for new designs, expansions of his current line, and a complete overhaul & update of the website in mind. Since I didn't think it would be a good idea to call him up out of the blue and tell him that I was ready to be his new business partner, I gave him a ring and (keeping my motives to myself for the time being) made a query about selling a few of his t-shirts at the NYC Philippine Independence Day Parade.

At that point, I'd never been in business for myself before, and wasn't sure if the idea would even appeal to him, but I later found out that right when I was looking to make my life a little more interesting (by learning about business & graphic design), Edwin was becoming increasingly interested in cutting down on traveling cross-country with Tribal Pinoy. After a few phone calls and a little light negotiation, I received two big boxes of shirts in the mail. I was in business! A month after that I was having a great time at the parade, chatting it up with friends and lots of new faces, and doing pretty good business at that.

Hmm... so, my next move was to catch a flight out to Los Angeles to meet Edwin in person and talk more with him about my ideas for partnering up.

My friends drove me out to Carson, where I shook hands with Edwin for the first time. Over the course of a couple of hours, he talked with me about L.A. and the local community, gave me a tour of the screen printing facilities in his garage, and patiently heard me out over a meal at his favorite local Hawaiian spot. When we were done eating, he broke it to me that he wasn't looking for a business partner at all, saying that he'd be happy to keep sending me shirts though. Almost as an afterthought, he added that he wouldn't mind if I sold clothes from other companies, too. As I remember it, we piled into his truck and he gave me a lift back to my friends' place in Santa Monica, where we stopped for a last cup of coffee and parted ways having had a lot of good conversation and me with a handful of free t-shirts over my shoulder.

Even in the face of Edwin's warm hospitality, I must say I was disappointed at the time. I'd been envisioning a coast-to-coast t-shirt empire, collaborating on new designs, hooking up the website, and maybe even producing some fashion shows... I'd even been presumptuous enough to start contacting people as a representative of "Tribal Pinoy East."

So now what was I gonna do? I'd flown all the way out to L.A. with a great idea for building coast-to-coast with Tribal, and it hadn't occurred to me that it wouldn't fly. So, I started thinking a little bit more about Edwin's suggestion that I sell clothes from other companies. And I did some more homework. It turned out that there was a lot more happening in the community that I knew about. Maybe I just hadn't been thinking big enough!?

Anyways, it's been almost three years since I sold my first t-shirt, and somewhere near the end of 2007, Tribal Pinoy finally closed its doors for good. Today, the work that we're doing now with ARKANE™ and PrinceGiolo.com are part of a logical extension of the ideas that Edwin helped to plant in my mind that day we first met. In that spirit, this blog and the "Tribute to Tribal Pinoy and its Legacy" article by our friend Lory Crowder, is our way of saying thank you to Edwin and Tribal Pinoy for his inspiration and innovative efforts over the years.

The following is a little journal entry I wanted to share that I thought I'd erased. It was written not long after I got back from my trip to Carson, and you can see some of the pictures that I took that day... I don't think anyone else has any document of Tribal Pinoy's creative studio. I can remember feeling like I was on the right path when Edwin told me that in all of the years he was in business, and of all the people who had contacted him about working together, I was the only one who had made a point to come out and visit him in person. So, for those of you who are interested in some amateur slap-dash writing and a few special pics of a much-loved company, you can follow your eyes below...

A TRIP TO THE TRIBAL PINOY HQ
by James Berroya

Hey y'all...   I represented Tribal Pinoy Clothing Company at the most recent Philippine Independence Day Parade in NYC, and so a couple of weeks later I took a trip to sunny California to introduce myself to Edwin (Habacon, owner & designer of Tribal Pinoy) in person and see what his business operations were like.   

First of all, Edwin was very hospitable (Salamat, Edwin!) to me and really open and honest about the business. He showed me his newest designs, and then we chatted for a while about his business practices & community experiences, life in Carson (where Tribal is located), and his views on progressive design.   

Edwin has been at the helm of his own business for more than 10 years now, and has a (almost) world-weary approach to what he does. After having traveled so much to introduce people to his clothing all over the country, enduring the ups-&-downs of the apparel business, and even seeing his designs copied by others, he still clearly loves his work, and appreciates most of all his interactions with people and their response to what Tribal is standing for.   

In my view, he has been developing a cross-cultural approach in his designs that is unique amongst his peers, but I think it's his boldness and sense of humor in expressing Filipino pride that have made his apparel line stand out.   

Edwin allowed me to take some pictures of his workspace and introduced me to Kiwi's music (see Kiwi's MySpace page!), and then we had a quick lunch at a local Hawaiian spot. After chatting a little more about business, Edwin shared with me that his other love is acting, and that he takes regular acting classes with Filipino-American actor Scott Columby (whom you can see modeling Tribal gear on the website).   

After a short drive to Santa Monica, and a stop at a coffee shop where we chatted for a little while longer, Edwin dropped me off at my friends' place and that was basically the experience. In the end, I had learned a lot about the apparel business, and had met a really cool person. I was glad that I had reached out and introduced myself to someone who cares about what he does and does his part in honoring and respecting the Filipino culture...

Out of the Monkey's Head...

2008-01-13T18:51:00.000-08:00

A Tribute to Tribal Pinoy and its Legacy

2008-01-04T09:43:00.000-08:00

by Lorial Crowder

For thousands, Tribal Pinoy has become the iconic symbol of our heritage and ethnic pride as Filipino Americans. Long before the Pnoy Apparel, Pinoy Wear, and Tsinilas clothing companies, T.P. was one of the original Filipino street wear designers. The mastermind and pioneer behind Tribal Pinoy was (and is) Edwin Habacon, a native of Carson, California.

In 1999, I was a embarking on my own consciousness-raising journey as a Philippines-born American, and found myself in San Diego at a National Filipino American Youth Association event. The intimate group setting gave me plenty of intellectual stimulation about the waves of immigration of our people, the brain drain, crab mentality and the rich history in the motherland. After the intense presentations and conversations with the delegates, people converged to the vendor fair that also included information booths for the various political, humanitarian and educational organizations.

This was my first encounter with Edwin and certainly not my last. Some may find his stature intimidating, but as you dialogued with him it was obvious he was quite the opposite. Granted, I did not know him personally all that well, but in the years following I would run into him at other Fil-Am functions and he was a gentle giant with a passion to spread the love of our Filipino roots.

It was at this moment that I began my love affair as a walking billboard for Tribal Pinoy. Many times I did not want to share my secret about how to get a hold of these prized shirts and this was way before there was online shopping. You had to attend one of the conferences and events that he would vend at, and (at the time) this was minimal.

What attracted me to his shirts were the simplicity yet uniqueness of his designs. It was ingenious actually! Every shirt dawned the T.P. logo with or without a graphic. The power of the words, "Tribal Pinoy" or "Tribal Pinay" spoke volumes and a tweak of the font was enough to get the "message" out. A couple of years later he came up with the expression, "Golden Brown & Delicious" or "GB&D" and a Lechon design, both of which captured the alluring essence of being Filipino in different ways.

It is difficult for me to choose a sole favorite Tribal Pinoy design. The one shirt that I truthfully wore to the bone was the red-rimmed collar and sleeves with T.P. font that resembled waves. I am an island girl at heart and feel a harmony with the ocean. With a large selection of shirts in various colors it was hard for me not to buy them all.

Over the years, Edwin brought Tribal Pinoy Clothing to different cities, and began making his way across the country on a regular basis to vend at annual community events here on the East Coast. I have fond memories of attending the Philippine Independence Day Parade in the summertime, taking the Fung Wah bus from Boston to NYC for the inevitable run-ins with old friends, and to be one of the hundreds of Filipinos crowding the streets in celebration. I especially looked forward to visiting Tribal Pinoy's booth every year - on a couple of occasions, I offered to assist Edwin and in exchange he thoughtfully gave me shirts.

Almost a decade later, it saddened me to hear that Tribal Pinoy would be phased out because of Edwin’s new endeavors in acting. I wondered what would become of the company and the design legacy he was leaving behind. However, I did understand that - like many of the other homegrown Filipino street wear companies - there is an eventual end because of the expenses of t-shirt production, travel and vendor fees.

Then, in the summer of 2005, I was on Madison Avenue in New York City for the annual parade. Of course, there was an abundance of shopping for Filipino curiosities and clothing by Fil-Ams, and it was here that I first met James Berroya (now the owner of ARKANE™ and The Prince Giolo Apparel Group™), who was getting his start in the street wear business working as a sales rep for Tribal Pinoy just as Edwin was beginning to consider limiting his business trips to the East Coast.

We began to talk about his connection with T.P., which led to a discussion about the designs. I mentioned to James that there was definitely a lack of representation of women warriors on the shirts and suggested it should be his next project. It dawned on me that James must have been well-trusted by Edwin considering he was present at all the events.

As we continued to talk I told him my curiosity about the behind the scenes business of T.P. and was excited when James told me he visited Edwin in Carson and took pictures of his workshop. After viewing the photos it gave me more admiration for the dedication he had to ‘serve the people’ with his shirts.

Over the thirteen years that Tribal Pinoy was in business, other labels have emerged onto the scene and they have all carried a distinctive mark. However, in my opinion, T.P. continued its originality while others evolved by mainstreaming. Edwin’s commitment and dedication to Tribal Pinoy and to the Filipino community were expressed through his edgy and trendsetting shirts - and for those who have been fortunate to get a hold of them, Tribal Pinoy Clothing is part of a lasting legacy he created for the Gen X of Filipino Americans.
______________________

Lorial Crowder - Writer

Lorial Crowder was born in the Olongapo City, Philippines and at the age of 5 years was adopted by her American family. In 2005 she co-founded the Filipino Adoptees Network website and continues working on special projects. She currently lives in NYC with her boyfriend and is a stay at home mother to her 1 year old son. Once he learns to walk she plans to return to her profession as a social worker and hopes to find work in the child welfare field.

Joker Brand & Akademiks @ Magic

2007-12-03T14:08:00.000-08:00

More and more often, I hear people talking about how finding their path in life has more to do with doing what they enjoy and finding meaning in their own lives than in coming up with some slick business plan and trying to copy from someone else's program. It's inspiring for me to be reminded that what makes you successful is being yourself and sticking to it...

In this clip from the Magic trade show in Las Vegas, Estefan Oriol & Mr. Cartoon talk about creating the Joker Brand from their love of tattoo art, street & car culture, why you can't copy them, and how they're making it happen on their own terms and STILL paying homage to those that came before them. The interview at the end with Emmett Harrell from Akademiks makes for an interesting contrast.

Tribal Pinoy's Chopper

2007-12-03T13:52:00.000-08:00

Ink

2007-11-29T07:08:00.000-08:00

Who is Prince Giolo?

2007-11-15T08:45:00.000-08:00

Giolo (also Jeoly), "The Painted Prince," was born on the island of Moangis (located between Celebes and Mindanao) and was captured in the late 17th century along with his family after a misadventure at sea. By 1690, Giolo had already been sold twice into slavery when he came into the "possession" of buccaneer and naturalist William Dampier, who was sailing the world seeking profit and adventure.

Dampier admiringly describes him as, "...painted all down the breast, between his shoulders and behind; on his thighs (mostly) before; and in the form of several broad rings or bracelets, round his arms and legs." The tattoos were not representations of animals but a "very curious" graphic design, "full of great variety of lines, flourishes and chequered work."

Originally planning to travel with Giolo to Moangis, where he might "gain a commerce with [his] people for cloves," circumstances persuaded Dampier (despite any fondness he may have felt) to exhibit his 'painted prince' in England as an exotic spectacle. Once he had made his money, Dampier intended to buy a ship "to carry [Giolo] back to [Moangis] and re-instate him there in his own country." This romantic notion, however, was also pragmatic: Dampier hoped that by Giolo's "favor and negotiation to establish a traffic for the spices and other products of those islands."

Upon Dampier's return to England, he found himself lacking funds and quickly fell "amongst rooks" who pressured him to part with Giolo. In their book about Dampier titled A Pirate of Exquisite Mind, Diana and Michael Preston suggest that, "...the loss of [Giolo] not only dashed Dampier's business schemes but was also an emotional blow. He had looked after him for months, tending him through bereavement and illness. Even though he had himself planned to exhibit [Giolo], it must have been a wrench to abandon him to strangers in a bewildering new land to the uncertain fate of being 'carried about to be shown as a sight.' He would describe [Giolo] in his book with greater feeling than anyone else, including [his wife], to whom he referred only once and in passing."

Giolo's new owners quickly exploited him, printing flyers and a promotional booklet that described Giolo's early life in fantastic detail and attributing their own meanings and even magical powers to his tattoos. Ultimately, and perhaps mercifully (as it was within a year of his arrival in England), Giolo died of small-pox in Oxford in 1692.1

1 Preston, D. and M. A Pirate of Exquisite Mind. The Penguin Group: The Berkeley Publishing Group, 2004