Do your own thing, wherever you have to do it and whenever you want. Drop out. Leave society as you have known it. Leave it utterly. Blow the mind of every straight person you can reach. Turn them on, if not to drugs, then to beauty, love, honesty, fun.

If you live in the 60’s and the late 70’s, you might be well familiar with this code, known as the philosophy of the Hippie Movement. But then again, even if you belong to the younger generations, who are not familiar with bell bottom pants, dyed shirts, long skirts, vests, beards, the make war not love slogan, Bill Crosby, Jemi Hendrix and Carlos Santana? In fact, much of the youth movements today, campus activism, musical festivals and sexual liberation are all part of the Hippie’s legacy.

The Hippie Movement waned in the late 70’s and as times changes new movements have emerged. In the Philippines, a new subculture have been stealing the limelight lately especially within the film and music industry known as the Indie Culture. Following the principles of the hippie movement of defying the conventional and individuality, this niche scene have paved the way for underground artists to surface, creating a subculture that is slowly becoming a part of the modern youth. Joining this scene are amateur film makers, singers and song writers, doodle, graffiti and pop artists, tattoo artists and graphic designers. All of them have one thing in common, the ache for individuality, expressed through creativity and originality.

Bos,a graffiti artist since 1996 shares his views on graffiti or wall that started in New York in the 60’s, being an art form. According to him, graffiti is and will always be a hobby for him, doing it not for the money but for the satisfaction he gets from it. He also designs shoes and bags aside while maintaining a regular job.

“All artists have different mediums and we have our own, the spray paint. In the graffiti world, this is how we express ourselves. It’s also a stress reliever for me”

He also shared his experiences back in the days when graffiti is considered vandalism and artists like him are frowned upon.

“Before graffiti is still illegal in the Philippines and there’s only few crews (groups) but now we are doing more productions. There’s also acceptance already,” said he, speaking in Tagalog. “Today when we make a production, people realized that graffiti artists can do something beautiful rather than just vandalizing walls. And we do it in legal way, we ask for permission from the barangay or property owners.”

Meanwhile for tattoo artists Mia Claravall and Ding Fernandez have a different perspective about tattooing being a form of art. Both tattoo experts from Skin Works agrees that there is a certain degree of sacrifice which should be done for both artist and client to have a beautiful work of beauty tainted on their body.

“Our designs are products of intensive creativity. We think about it, we go through a process of conceptualization and both us and our clients both need to make a sacrifice, with our clients the pain of the needle and us, the difficulty of coming up with a desing that match their preferences,” explained Ding.

Despite the growing acceptance of the society with tattoos, Ding and Mia says that stereotyping of people with tattoos as junkies, convicts, sluts and rockers still remains. They were quick to add though, that even the A and B segment and professionals like doctors and lawyers go to them to have a tattoo.

Behind The Indie Scene

Bos, Mia and Ding are among the indie artists who came to the Music, Tats and Flowers, a showcase of talents and individuality by indie artists in the Philippines. The event which is supported by Jansport, turned Mag:net Café in Bonifacio High Street into an indie venue with on the spot sketches, graffiti and doodles, tattoo photos plastered on the wall, DJ’s showdown, rap songs courtesy of Pamilia Dimagiba and a band performance by Bagetsafonik and self-proclaimed members of the indie culture. Jansport also rolled in their Kombi Van painted with cool, colourful designs

According to Clytie Choa, Brand Manager for Jansport, their product traces its history from the Hippie Movement, its founder Skip Yowell, being a certified hippe before turning into a business bigwig selling backpacks all over America.

“We have always been behind the indie culture because we believe that it is best representing the hippie culture. Having come from the subculture as well, Jansport understands the importance of recognizing and nurturing an emerging cultural phenomenon like the Indie community.” said Choa.

During the event, Jansport’s Graphic Remix line, carrying the individual designs of some of the country’s best graphic designers were displayed and given away to the members of the press. Such designs include flowers, dragons, sneakers, ice creams and many other unique sketches which are limited collection bags. The graphic artists came from art crews also uses different medium like acrylic, pentel pens, patches etc.

Catering to the youth market, mainly college and high school students searching for their own individuality, Choa added that the Graphic Remix line has been a hit in this market segment and fast selling until now. “We realized that our market seeks individuality and creativity in their things, especially school bags, so we created this line. We launched it last year during the celebration of our 40th anniversary.”

Indie Culture might indeed be the Hippie Movement of the 21st century but the spirit of every subculture can be summarized by Bo’s words.

“With each generation, there are new skills that emerged. It might be different from the earlier generations but with our designs, we become a testament to the history of the world.”