By Mar-Vic Cagurangan
Age is just a number. The 13-year-old Joaquin Sablan is the epitome of this aphorism and the archetype of the Zoomer generation— characterized by independence, pragmatism and an appetite for putting plans into action.
But at a tender age, Sablan is ahead of most of his digital-native peers. While most teenagers may be grappling with classroom concerns, if not engrossed in video games, Sablan is starting to chart his future. He recently launched his apparel brand called "Monarch."
The Monarch product line includes t-shirts, hats, hoodies and stickers, which Sablan designed himself.
“It’s more of an urban style. I love the urban style,” said Sablan, a resident of Barrigada Heights and a freshman at Father Duenas Memorial School.
The product designs, he said, are inspired by Los Angeles fashion. “I've been there a lot. That's my inspiration,” Sablan said. “Hopefully in the future, I'll be able to put out more products.”
He may look like your typical teenager, but Sablan has a mature mind, translating his philosophy into his designs.
One of his most popular designs is marked “Keep It In Check,” which he explained is a statement of humility.
“You got to keep yourself in check. You got to stay humble,” he said.
The “Get up and Gear Up” design seeks to appeal to his basketball peers. “I've been doing basketball since I was a kid and I grew to really love the sport,” he said.
“Get Up and Gear Up,” Sablan said, is designed to stimulate athletes to “show up mentally and physically.”
“Each design means something to me. They resonate with me and I hope they resonate with everybody else too,” he said.
The classic design, simply labeled with the brand name “Monarch,” is tied to his fully-fledged spirituality. “We're all sons and daughters of the king and we're all royalty. We're all created in the image of the monarch,” Sablan said.
Creating his own brand was something Sablan had envisioned since he was in sixth grade. “I was a bit younger at the time and my mom said I wasn't ready because I didn't really have my own style yet,” he said. “I love dressing up now. I have my own style now, so I decided I'm finally ready to start it.”
Using his savings as seed capital, Sablan's youthful dream became a reality.
Sablan embodies the old adage, “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” His parents, Carlo Pangelinan and Jacqueline Sablan, are successful entrepreneurs who influenced him to embark on his venture.
Monarch’s locally produced products are sold via Instagram and Shopify. “We have shipped some shirts out to friends and family who live in the states and Korea,” Sablan said. “I'm hoping to go international.”
Although he is still in high school, Sablan is looking ahead to an entrepreneurial-focused career. “If this business picks up, this could be my future,” he said. “I definitely want to go to college. I want to major in business.”
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