The ultra-hip guys from Team Manila are betting big that new Manila Mayor Isko Moreno’s tadbalik way of speaking Filipino is going to be prime local pop culture. That is why they are riding the wave with the first of a series of T-shirt designs they call “Iskonary.” Take a look:
You shouldn’t have any difficulty deciphering etneb and takwarents. But do you know what Tolongges is?
It’s not a word in reverse. It’s actually the title character of an old ‘80s Western-inspired movie with the same name, starring George Javier (the APO Danny Javier’s brother).
Tolongges is a bit of a simpleton, which is why it went on to become part of Pinoy slang meaning, “tanga.” So when Yorme Isko says “huwag siyang tinotolongges” it means “huwag siyang gawing tanga.”
This is why Team Manila’s shirt is destined to be a collectors item. Word has it that they’ll be coming up with more designs soon.