Designer Avel Bacudio takes design to a global level of patriotism and service to a nation. His latest project, the “Laro ng Lahi” collection, elevates Philippine fashion internationally and takes clothing as a symbolic declaration of national spirit using locally crafted textile that fuses Pinoy heritage with innovation.

A shared vision between Avel and Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Abraham Tolentino, the project aims to achieve the gold for the Philippines’ elite athletes and to empower and sustain communities of Filipino artisans nationwide.

New Now Next gets an exclusive with Avel and digs deep into this concept of creating uniforms, what it means and its importance in the up-and-coming Southeast Asian Games from 9 to 20 December in Bangkok, Chonburi and Songkhla, Thailand.

New Now Next (NNN): How did this project land in your lap and why did you accept it?

Avel Bacudio (AB): The Gintong Sinag (Golden Ray) event in Intramuros last March 2025, and the Alas Pilipinas (Philippines Aces) fashion show last June -- this is all about our athletes, and the fact that we only really pay attention to them every time they triumph and bring home a gold medal. And I looked carefully: why is something missing? That’s the point of visiting the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in Pampanga. When I realized that I think as a Filipino and an artist, I had to ask someone to help me make this dream of dressing our athletes come true. Alas, through the help of the First Lady and the Social Secretary, I was granted a fundraising show entitled “Gintong Sinag” for both NAS and Paralympics.

What was the inspiration for the uniforms?

Because of the sheer number of gadgets and the internet, we have forgotten our own traditional games; we have Luksong Tinik (Jump over the Thorns), Tumbang Preso (Prisoner’s Base/Capture the Flag variation), Patintero (Filipino street game/tag), Luksong Baka (Jump over the Cow) and many others. This is where I drew inspiration from, that stuck with me from provincial life, to return to our Traditional Filipino Games (Laro ng Lahi).

What colors and fabrics did you use and why?

Because this is the SEA Games, we need to wave the colors of our flag by using blue, red and white. The fabrics used here are made from pineapple (piña), banana tree fiber, abaca, waterlily (lerio/water hyacinth) and kayawan (a type of plant fiber). This was done with the help of the DoST (Department of Science and Technology) and PTRI (Philippine Textile Research Institute), and these textiles are embroidered with the games of our past.