In the Philippines, there’s this folklore that explains the legend of the pineapple. And in true XV fashion, I thought this was a brilliant opportunity to have some fun with some graphics. So before I get into that, let’s start out with a story. Note, there’s a plethora of sites out there that you can Google about this, and I’m just gonna keep this short. Feel free to look it up in case I missed some details!
The story begins with a mother and daughter, Pina, who lived in a small little hut in the village. They lived in poverty, and the mother worked constantly to keep them afloat. Pina’s mother worked tirelessly to provide for them, but never had any help from Pina. Pina’s mother would sometimes ask her daughter for help around the house, but Pina alway had an excuse. Pina’s mother would ask her to sweep around the house and Pina would respond that she could not find the broom. This would be the same for most circumstances, always responding that she could not find an item to complete a task or chore.
One day Pina’s mother became ill and was unable to do any work. She had asked Pina to make her something to eat because she was feeling sick and weak. Pina ignored the request. Angered, Pina’s mother requested again, even explaining how to cook rice porridge. The recipe was simple, add rice and water to a pot, let it boil and simmer, stirring with a ladle occasionally. Pina stormed off into the kitchen making a raucous. Few minutes had passed and Pina’s mother called out from her room, inquiring how the rice soup was coming along smoothly. Pina responded she didn’t make it because she couldn’t find the ladle. Pina’s mother was enraged. She exclaimed, “You’re so lazy and probably didn’t look for it. I wish you would grow a thousand eyes so you can find what you’re looking for. And maybe you’ll stop giving all your excuses.”
She heard Pina storm off outside to go play and took rest after being so exhausted. Recovering from her illness, Pina’s mother began to continue where she left off in her housework. She called for her daughter and didn’t hear Pina. She thought she went to play with the other kids from the village because she had scolded Pina for being so lazy. When Pina’s mother went outside to do some yard work, she noticed that the place where Pina usually plays with her toys were left and Pina nowhere to be found. However, as she continued sweeping, she noticed that there was this strange plant growing by Pina’s toys. Flourishing with leaves and bearing a yellow fruit, she then gasped. The fruit resembled a child’s head and had what seemed to be a thousand eyes! Pina’s mother recalled what she had last said to her daughter and realized she had unknowingly cursed her daughter into this plant.
Pina’s mother took care of this plant so it would grow and flourish. In doing so, more fruit began to come about. Pina’s mother had so much fruit, she began sharing it with the other villagers. In honor of her daughter, Pina’s mother named the fruit after her daughter. This is how we come to know the name pineapple, a fruit said to be named for a lazy child cursed with a thousand eyes.
Okay, so you’re probably thinking that this ridiculous story is malarkey. However, dismissing notions of hexing children, a whole Investigation I.D. scenario, child labor, and other modern ideas that would be so wrong in today’s world, the folklore is meant to be a lesson learned. There are so many morals to this story, one of which is clearly laziness and being spoiled gets you nowhere. And maybe ya’ll best be listening to your parents or else they’ll hex your ass into a pineapple.
Anyways, let’s circle back to XV. In honor of the anniversary of introducing the XV Signature Sight icon, For details about the XV Signature Sight and all it’s glory, look back at our previous blogs (2020, 2021)! I’ve taken this new look and blended it into a seasonally appropriate and novelty collection that is so fun and exciting! In this Limited Edition XV PIÑA Collection, you’ll see how the XV Signature Sight takes on a new identity as an integrated part of the XV PIÑA graphic. And for some added extra fun, the XV Shades are back from the XVMOJI’s introduced last summer. The XVMOJI PIÑA takes form in several graphic design patterns!
Fun fact, although pineapples are grown in certain climates all year round, the best time to harvest is from March to July. So, be prepared to enjoy the LE XV PIÑA Collection, available now till July! I’m sure this will give your Summer 2021 the vibe you need.
Enjoy + stay safe!
Love always,
XV