My Pilipinas
Happy Independence Day! So how does one celebrate Independence day when we already took a vacation last weekend? It wasn’t much of a vacation to me because like I wrote yesterday, I was burdened with electrical woes over at my home.
How else does one celebrate it? Wave the Philippine flag? My thoughts on Independence day was focused on a very shallow reason: fashion. Yes I know. Shallow, right? But I bet some of you might be sick and tired of reading “Are we really Free?” So just bear me out on this.
So what do you think? Nationalism is hip, wearable and understandable concept for today’s youth.
At the launch of the Collezione C2, My Pilipinas Series, the concept of Nationalism being hip just won me over. Really, my thoughts were like “Is Nationalism outdated or only heroes can show what it’s like to be patriotic?” I liked the idea that art and fashion are ways by which we can make the Nationalist story more real and accessible to the new generation. I had a feeling that my 2 girls would love My Pilipinas designs. But I wasn’t sure if they’d like Collezione. Before I went to the launch, one of my daughters perceived Collezione as a low-end brand.
Oooh, I corrected them. You know, your dad and I wore Collezione in college. That’s how old it is. During my teenage days, imported clothes was a luxury. I remember the Bang-bang pants from Hongkong costing 500 pesos which is an enormous amount in the seventies considering starting salary then was 500 pesos. Ugh did I spend that much in clothes back then? For us, Collezione was quite affordable. That cutesy little key icon on the shirt is unforgettable.
Anyway, when the 2 girls saw the shirt with the Philippine map in it, they jumped up with glee. They loved it. I knew it wasn’t a token admiration for my sentimentality towards the brand. I knew because they immediately fitted it. I am glad they loved it just as much as their parents loved wearing it during their college days. Yup, I love a brand that is truly a universal brand for Filipinos—one that’s proudly Philippine-made and proudly worn by Filipinos.
We all have our ways in building a nation that we could be objectively proud of. We need to re-visit the true essence of nationalism — the desire to build a just, safe, and prosperous country that can earn the pride of its people. Today, I chose to look at art and fashion into a specialized notion of Nationalism without negating the fact there are other important issues like Philippine Freedom of Information Act currently pending in the senate and the kidnap of Ces Drilon and her crew.
How did you remember/commemorate Independence Day? Did you write an Independence Day entry?
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Other New Media Events
1. You will love the My Pilipinas The Series: Art Meets Fashion, by Rhett Eala. The exhibit is open to the public until until June 14 at CAV RESTAURANT at the Bonifacio High Street. Enter through the Spa entrance.
2. Sparxx insurance and savings in a sachet? Talk about making it more accessible like prepaid cards. I thought this was such a innovative idea.
3. The idea of a floating visual medium called Skyview is another unique advertising idea that piqued my curiosity.
4. If you think that lunch buffet is srcumptious, wait till you try the Dessert Buffet menu of Diamond Hotel/Cake Club.
Fortunately, they offered sugar-free desserts. Being diabetic, I resisted the temptation to devour mouth-watering desserts.
5. Don’t forget, you have the chance to win a Free Trip to Busuanga for 6 persons.
(Photo Credits: A weekend adventure in Busuanga Island, Coron, Palawan (Part 1))
6. Lastly, join me at Plurk. It’s a fun way to microblog, chat and network. See sample Plurk below my comment box.
Filipina mom) and my journey to a "new normal" after the death of 
I like! Ganda ng long dress. I would proudly wear it.
I think I saw those designs last week in SM. My father told me that most of his shirts in college were Collezione. Sikat din yung brand na yan.
Two words: Team Manila. They’ve got great designs.
@susan- yes If only it would fit me, I’d wear it.
@dina- they were so durable but unfortunately, I gave them all away. I outgrew them. Too bad, they were classics
@ia- The kids have that too. They also buy it as gifts
Too bad I missed some events
I will be writing an entry for the Busuanga trip. I hope I’d win hehe
@micamyx- when will you be back in Manila? Sure, join the contest. Good luck too!
I didn’t write anything because I am not really a blogger but I prayed for our country. Sometimes, I don’t want to think of the problems in our country. It just depresses me. I so agree with you to be shallow every now and then.
collezione shirts, until now, are safe gifts for hubby–he still likes wearing them. yes, i would wear that shirt marielle is wearing.
as to independence day, i just hope–that the filipino be truly independent!
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@liza- that’s good enough .
@sexy mom- haha Collezione should give an award to your hubby. “Brand Loyalty Award”. For many years, my husband also bought collezione until other brands distracted him.
I do admire your nationalism, your proudness of wearing Philipine’s product. Asian used to be love anything Western. In my country too.
Hi Noems,
Here in Hercules, California, we will be celebrating Philippine Independence Day at the Hercules Library. The program will feature an exhibit depicting Philippine history in a diorama of 12 art pieces by local artist Cota Yabut of the Philippine Folklife Museum Foundation. Also included in the program will be reflections of the Philippine Independence movement through readings of the works of Dr. Jose Rizal, the Philippine revolutionary hero, as well as musical entertainment featuring the Tradicion Rondalla as well as Philippine folk dances and songs by local Hercules youth. That’s how we Fil-Ams are celebrating the day. Love the t-shirts. Please buy some for the boys.
@Myrna- I think Philippine Independence day is more celebrated outside the Philippines. Surely, I will buy some for the boys. Hope they will like it.
aw, independence day is always spent with my family in a small celebration. it is my hubby’s birthday, too
but i love those shirts!
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My boys grew up wearing Collezione shirts. They weren’t upscale but neither cheap. I seldom see them now in the department store shelves.
I think the mapped shirts are cool. Nice to give to balikbayans.
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