70-year-old Ger Tabuzo, known as “Lolo Drip” on social media, is a living testament that even the OG’s can dress trendy to today’s fashion styles—as seen in his love for streetwear. The full-time grandfather was always into fashion even in his college days. But it was his grandsons, JJ and Calvin, who put him on the game to today’s trending styles.
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“Cool kasi ng style nila. Pina-try nila kung magugustuhan ko yung style nila na pang Gen Z at nagustuhan ko naman. Tinuloy-tuloy na namin,” Tabuzo said on how his grandsons got him into streetwear a few years back. One of the grandsons, who resides in the US, would supply him with care packages from abroad such as sneakers and clothes.
(I find their style cool. They made me try to see if I’d like their Gen Z style. I did so we continued it)
With Tabuzo wanting to dress like his grandsons, JJ and Calvin took to TikTok to showcase their grandfather’s aesthetic fits. From there, “Lolo Drip” was introduced to social media.
Overnight sensation
Lolo Drip works as an occasional basketball coach in Biñan, Laguna. He’d integrate his job with his passion for fashion as JJ and Calvin continued to manage Lolo Drip’s TikTok page. Much to their surprise, what started as a showcase of Lolo Drip’s eye for what’s popping had become an overnight hit on the internet.
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“Nakaka-bigla talaga kasi yung unang post ko triny lang naman talaga namin. Nag dadalawang-isip pa nga ako na wag gawin kasi parang di ako mag fi-fit in sa new [generation]” said Lolo Drip on the sudden influx of likes and views.
The overwhelming reaction inspired the now streetwear-enthusiast to push through creating content on Tiktok. “Tinuloy ko kasi masaya din naman ako na napapasaya ko yung mga tao at na-ipapakita ko sa kanila na hindi hadlang ang edad para maging cool.”
(It was surprising because our first post was just us trying things. I was hesitant since it felt like I wasn’t going to fit in with the new generation)
(I continued doing it since it’s fun to make people happy and prove that age is not a hurdle to being cool.)
As of writing, Lolo Drip’s Tiktok page has amassed almost 188,000 followers with eight million likes. He has since made Instagram and Facebook pages as well. People would also now ask for pictures with him whenever he’s in public.
The Filipino streetwear brands started to take notice of the unlikely content creator and soon enough, many wanted to jump on the Lolo Drip hype. Brands such as ToughWave, Flyest, and CHC.CO sent their merch and accessories for him to model and post. Eventually, Lolo Drip got invited to photoshoots—which kicked off his freelance modeling career.
One of one
Coming from a time when it was difficult to showcase one’s outfits due to the absence of proper platforms, Lolo Drip is glad to see more and more styles taking form and being popularized. But even with the new trends, he believes the same “old school” style resonates with everyone.
As he looks for more pieces to try out and styles to put his spin on, Tabuzo hopes to further the narrative that even the old-timers can keep up with the ever-evolving realm of fashion.
“Hindi naman hadlang yung age para pomorma ka. Hindi mo kailangan ng mamahaling damit at sapatos para ma-impress mo yung mga tao,” Lolo Drip said. He affirmed that it’s how you can bring your style and confidence through the clothes you wear. “Nasa pag-dadala mo yan,” he added.
(Age is not a hurdle in how you style. You don’t need expensive clothes and shoes to impress people. It’s how you carry yourself)
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Via lolodrippp on Instagram
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Via lolodrippp on Instagram
With more local brands tapping into Lolo Drip to model their products, Tabuzo revealed that international names have reached out to him as well. But, Lolo Drip’s mission of promoting Filipino brands stays the same. “Mas inuuna ko yung local brands kasi ayon ang mission [ko]: Matulungan ang local brands sa Pilipinas para mas makilala tayo sa larangan ng fashion.”
(I put local brands first because it’s my mission to help the local brands of the Philippines so we can be recognized more in fashion.)
Tabuzo exudes this mission through his social media posts, modeling different pieces from local brands and tagging them. Grateful to his fans for all the support he has been receiving, Lolo Drip calls out his growing fanbase to take part in this goal as well.
“Sana supportahan din natin yung mga local brands sa Pilipinas. The more na sinusupportahan natin yung sariling atin, mas lalong aangat yung bansa pag dating sa fashion,” he expressed.
(I hope we can also support the local brands in the Philippines. The more we support our own, the more we can lift the country’s name in the fashion industry)
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Via lolodrippp on Instagram
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Via lolodrippp on Instagram
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Via lolodrippp on Instagram
The post Meet Lolo Drip, Whose Fashion Goes Beyond His Age appeared first on Complex Philippines.