By NORMAN SISON
“A soldier holds the key to my heart.”
This is the message imprinted on a t-shirt that has become a fashion hit among military spouses and girlfriends.
It is just one of the fast-selling designs of the Army Shirt label of gun enthusiast Nelson Dy, whose clothing company Bela Apparel supplies shirts to the Philippine Army and the other services.
Dy says he launched his Army Shirt label to rally public support for men and women in uniform.
“We decided to put up this brand to show support and raise the morale of our troops,” he explains.
Dy’s shirt designs range from the usual military — and often menacing — artwork to patriotic declarations to open expressions of affection.
“Most of our shirts give you a sense of belonging, especially if you are in the armed forces or a supporter,” Dy says.
Here are some feel-good messages on his Army Shirts:
- Behind every strong soldier, there is an even stronger woman who stands by him, supports him and loves him with all her heart. I am a proud ARMY girlfriend.
- His duty is to serve our country. My duty is to support him.—ARMY wife
- Kawal Pinoy: Matinik, Maginoo, Mapagmahal
- Army be the best: regular and reserved
The reception from the troops and their families was one of appreciation. They find comfort in the thought that there are people out there who are now aware that it takes a lot of sacrifice on the part of the soldiers, as well as their families, to wear the uniform.
“Once in a while I get phone calls from soldiers thanking me,” Dy reports. “They tell us that we have given pride and respect back to our men and women in uniform.”
Happy buyers gamely post their photos on Army Shirt’s Facebook page, showing off their new shirts. Soldiers also post about their light moments, including putting faces on the uniforms, to remind Filipinos that military men are also ordinary people.
“It (Army Shirt) gives pride to anyone who wears it,” Dy says, noting the changing view of the armed forces among Filipinos.
“Being in the military now is different compared to those days during martial law, when the military was feared; It is now respected,” he observes.
For decades since the Marcos dictatorship, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has struggled with its image as an organization wracked by human rights abuses, corruption, incompetence and unprofessionalism.
Efforts in recent years to professionalize the armed forces and remold its image as the people’s protector have slowly been paying off.
“If you ask supporters of our troops, everyone would gladly tell you that, in a way, conditions [in the AFP] are slowly improving, but this (development) is still not enough,” Dy notes.
He explains further: “Of course, this (improved condition of the military) will depend on our government resources. If there is less corruption, more (resources) will go to our military in terms of equipment.”
Many Filipinos are beginning to realize the necessity for a strong military to protect the country’s territory, They are aware that military troops will be at the front line if shooting breaks out between the Philippines and a hostile country.
Groups advocating a rapid modernization of the armed forces such as the Concerned Philippines for AFP Modernization sprouted on Facebook and elsewhere in cyberspace. Following this trend, Dy has also opened an Army Shirt Facebook page to promote his clothing line.
Dy, whose company regularly donates to support groups for soldiers’ families, also makes distributor arrangements with military wives across the country to boost their incomes.