The flood control corruption scandal has gripped the entire nation — prompting a series of mass protests, calls for accountability, and collective anger among the Filipino people. 

It sparked an outrage like no other, and with good reason. When public officials deceive the very people they’re supposed to serve, it would really only be a matter of time before it would catch up to them. Until then, the rage persists, and will naturally become a part of the mundane. 

Chants and symbols from demonstrations have turned into everyday sayings and icons that have made their way into music events, art markets, and even the clothes we wear.  

Just look at Identity Apparel, a clothing brand whose socks and t-shirts have turned into subtle calls for action. 

Silent protest

“POV: You can’t [rally at] EDSA for fear of being deported, but you can show solidarity by making merch,” the shop’s co-founder Rahul said in a TikTok as he showed off the embroidered socks they made in relation to the flood control corruption scandals. 

Like many Filipinos, it’s something he and his wife have kept up with. It’s even become a running joke on social media that the Senate hearings have become more entertaining than the shows we watch on Netflix. 

Rahul was born and raised in the Philippines, but his parents are originally from India. He shares that he was born with an Indian passport, and was naturalized as a Filipino only when he was already in his mid-20s. This, he says, is the reason why he legally cannot join protests. 

“Because I was naturalized as a Filipino, I am still not considered technically fully Filipino. So there are still loopholes around it wherein they could either jail me or deport me. Obviously, if someone takes action. But you don’t want to give anyone reason to take action for that,” he said. 

He looked to what was perhaps the next best thing: through wearable garb.

First foray, lasting impact

From the time the brand was established in 2017, these socks had actually marked the first time Identity Apparel ever dipped its toes into making merch with political statements. And there was no better time to do it than now. 

It’s done in minimalist fashion, where you can almost only see the designs in full view if you look close enough. The socks come in five different designs: “Sana All Nepo Baby,” “Not A Nepo Baby,” an anti-ghost project one inspired by Ghostbusters, a “budget-eating” crocodile, and a crocodile parading around as a flood control contractor, with a matching barong and hard hat to boot.

This was supposed to be a limited drop, but to Identity Apparel’s surprise, their first batch had sold out in just a few days. Now, it’s become a fixture in their store.

“Even the people that weren’t able to attend rallies, I feel like they’re finding different ways to show that they’re also angry. And I think this is one of the best ways to do it,” Rahul told Rappler.

There’s now a Buwaya Tees collection, too, donning the same designs. 5% of the sales from these shirts are donated to the families affected by the recent floods. For Identity Apparel, it’s all about doing what they can do to help within their means. 

Their reason behind doing this was rather simple: so we never, ever forget. 

“We all forget. Tell me about the last scandal that took place. At some point, we go over this hump where everyone’s angry, everyone’s frustrated. And then afterwards, it slowly dies down. The focus shifts to something else,” Rahul said.

“And so this, you could consider this as a form of reminder. That’s number one. As a form of silent protest. This way, when you’re opening your sock drawer and then you see the socks, you are reminded constantly.” – Rappler.com