Pope Francis T-shirts: Thriving on papal visit

When it was revealed in July 2014 that Pope Francis would be visiting the Philippines, a number papal merchandise started sprouting as part and parcel of memorabilia considering this is a predominantly Catholic and the only Christian country in Asia. 

 

So, the Filipino faithful need not travel far and wide in search of souvenirs. 

 

Be it in malls, public markets or even online, religious social groups and small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are selling a variety of memorabilia, from T-shirts to mugs and calendars.

 

By nature, Pinoys have the penchant for showing off their support or love for someone, particularly when that someone happens to be Pope Francis.

 

Church leaders officially announced on July 7, 2014 the visit of Pope Francis to the Philippines this year.

 

A few days later, Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle revealed that the Vatican said Pope Francis will be here on January 15 to 19.

 

Gale Sanchez sells custom shirts, mostly sports-oriented shirts, online for three years now.

She decided to include papal shirts in her lineup, given the seemingly strong demand she observed in malls.

 

“I saw some shirts at a certain mall... So, that gave me an idea to sell other designs,” Sanchez noted. 

 

Her T-shirts are printed with a photo of Pope Francis and the words, “Philippines 2015.”

'Mercy and compassion'

The design heeds the call of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines' (CBCP) not to buy shirts bearing "misleading" and "erroneous" messages as in the case of ABS-CBN.

 

ABS-CBN pulled out from its online shop and retail partners and issued an apology for the shirts that carried the message: No race no religion.

 

After the incident, Fr. Lito Jopson, CBCP Episcopal Commission on Social Communication and Mass Media executive secretary, said souvenir items should bear the theme “Mercy and compassion.”

 

Lea Permejo, a vendor in Quiapo, decided to sell Pope-themed shirts early this year along with Nazareno-printed shirts.

 

“Noong sinabing darating si Pope, madami nang naglabasan, kaya kumuha na rin kami. Madami na ang bumibili ng T-shirt nung sa Pope, nagkakaubusan ng stock,” she said.

 

Permejo noted a surged in demand for kids' shirts in tandem with the steady demand from adult shirts.

 

“'Yung mga pambata, mabenta. Mabilis sa P100. P120 'yung sa mas malaki. Ang pang matanda namin, P200-250. Basta minimum kami sa P200. Maganda din naman kasi 'yung tela,” she said.

 

Not merely for profit

 

Diya Shewakramani, whose family business is T-shirt manufacturing, said that papal shirts make people aware and serves as a way of expressing warm welcome for the pope.

 

The family business makes generic garments for young babies and adults, which are shipped to the provinces and sold in department stores.

 

As the anticipation for the papal visit grew stronger, the family decided to have a papal-themed shirt. 

 

Shewakramani said the shirts are sold online, in department stores and through friends.

 

“We generally don't do particular designs. Even if we're not Catholic, it's a way of welcoming the pope,” she said. – VS, GMA News