Designer Avel Bacudio hopes to inspire more support for Filipino athletes by placing them at the forefront of his latest collection.
On a breezy Tuesday evening at Plaza de Mexico, a square in Intramuros that borders the Pasig River, several well-known Filipino athletes took center stage as they walked along a riverside runway sporting a unique collection of athletic wear.
The collection is called ‘Gintong Sinag’, which translates to ‘Golden Ray’, the latest by Filipino designer Avel Bacudio, and was inspired by the success of the Philippines’ athletes.
“Every time na nagkakaroon tayo ng gold medalist, in any competition around the world, saka lang natin sila nabibigyan ng recognition. So bakit hindi natin gawin ngayon na? So we have National Academy of Sports in Pampanga,” Bacudio shares.
“So [this collection hopes to bring] awareness sa mga tao na let’s support the young generation…Kasi kung si Carlos Yulo nakapagdala ng two gold medals na pinaghirapan niyang mabuti, bakit hindi tayo mag-uwi ng mas maraming gold medalist para sa mga batang ito?”
Taking inspiration from the success of Filipino athletes, Avel Bacudio crafted a one-of-a-kind collection of athleisure, which he refers to as “sports-luxe”, that makes use of meticulously woven fabrics from the Philippines.
“[I’ve done] sportswear before, but this one is very different because I’m using our local fabric,” the Filipino designer explained. He also added that he worked with local organizations that helped him innovate local materials to make them more sports-friendly. “I used water lily, pineapple, bamboo, and then banana.”
These fabrics are a poignant representation of what the Philippines has to offer, much like the athletes who represent the country — and so, who better to wear the pieces on their unveiling than Filipino athletes themselves?
A perfect representation of the name ‘Gintong Sinag’, Filipino champions graced the Intramuros runway — two-time Olympic medalist Nesthy Petecio, Paris 2024 bronze medalist Aira Villegas, and, unveiled as the grand finale of the show, two-time Olympic gold medalist Carlos Yulo.
Karl Yulo, Carlos’ younger brother, also graced the event as the torch bearer, leading all the other models and athletes along the riverside runway. The show also featured PBA player Ricci Rivero, and some of the country’s successful Paralympians: Filipina para-swimmer Angel Otom, Paris 2024 Paralympics representative for taekwondo Allain Ganapin, and Paralympics wheelchair racer Jerrold Mangliwan.
Finally, rounding out the athletic lineup of ‘Gintong Sinag’ were students from the National Academy of Sports, representing the future champions of the country — a reminder of what this collection hopes to inspire.
“With this collection, you’re not only supporting the sports and NAS. You’re also supporting the weavers. Because in the Philippines, we have 7,000-plus islands, and every island has a different story and different weavers.”
Philippine pride is indeed the central theme of the newest Avel Bacudio collection.
In addition, as fitness and sports have become an integral part of Filipino culture, his hope is that anyone who leads a healthy lifestyle, from athletes to weekend go-getters, can see that local fabrics and materials can also be used in active settings.
Thus, the pieces in Bacudio’s ‘Gintong Sinag’ collection were designed to be breathable, wearable, and comfortable.
But more than just the pieces’ wearability, Avel Bacudio’s latest collection is also a showcase of Filipino craftsmanship. Using fabrics that were woven from different islands around the country, each item carries the spirit and culture of the country, making it truly fit for the athletes who represent the flag.
Images taken by Excel Panlaque.