“Veterano” by Pnoy Apparel

After a few weeks of looking for a new jacket to survive Daly City weather, it appears that jacket found me this morning!

I had the opportunity to meet Zar, founder of Pnoy Apparel, at a Filipino festival this morning in San Jose, CA. I had no idea they would be vending at the event, so finding them in the midst of looking for a new jacket was almost like divine intervention.

Zar gave me some eduction through their new cut-and-sew release called the “Veterano”, made in honor of the World War 2 Filipino vets who fought along side American GI’s but did not get their benefits for their sacrifice. Until President Obama signed the stimulus bill which had “tucked inside it” $195 million dollars for the 15,000 Filipino veterans who were still alive.

Zar noted that despite this, the red tape involved delays the repayments, so a percentage of proceeds from Pnoy Apparel’s Veterano jacket will be donated to a fund set aside for the Filipino veterans.

I don’t know if it was the camera or our darkness but somewhere in that photo is Zar and myself (sporting the new “Veterano” jacket. Online release soon!).

My first purchase from Pnoy Apparel was in 2006 with the “Keepin’ It Rizal” tee. Since then i’ve been checking out their site for the latest and greatest in meaningful, well-designed, and highly-detailed Philippine-themed streetwear.

Finally meeting the minds behind the store was not only refreshing, but it was inspirational. Zar turned out to be a humble and passionate entrepreneur, whose attention to detail and meaning was a lifestyle, and not just a means to make money. And when he told me it was getting better and better, year after year, I couldn’t help but imagine what he and Pnoy Apparel had in store. Thanks Zar, you guys are hella astig.

Visit them at Pnoyapparel.com!