LOOK: Avel Bacudio puts Filipino street games on display in PH athletes’ SEA Games 2025 uniforms
Filipino designer Avel Bacudio has unveiled the official opening ceremony uniform for our national athletes, proving that sports and fashion can, and should, combine.
In a sneak peek, Bacudio took to Instagram to share photos of volleyball star Majoy Baron and basketball sensation Ricci Rivero modeling the outfit. This ensemble, designed for the Philippine contingent at the 2025 Southeast Asian Games in Thailand this December, perfectly embodies Pinoy pride and athleticism as our athletes prepare to march into the biennial meet.
"Gusto ko ipakita yung mga laro na nakalimutan na ng kabataan," he told PhilSTAR L!fe when asked about the inspiration behind the "Laro ng Lahi" outfits.
"If you ask the younger generation what is tumbang preso, medyo nakakalimutan na nila," he said. "Pag nakakalimutan mo kasi yung mga bagay na yan, hindi buo yung pagka Pilipino mo. So I really want to tell the new generation, ito yung mga laro before na sana pwede pa rin natin ibalik 'yon."
The details
Unveiling the heart of the design, Bacudio—a renowned sports advocate and designer—revealed that the Barong Tagalog is crafted from Piñavel, a sustainable and high-performance textile developed through his own initiative.
The name is a wordplay on piña and his first name, Avel. Developed in partnership with the Department of Science and Technology - Philippine Textile Research Institute, Piñavel is a unique blend of indigenous Philippine fibers: bamboo, pineapple, abaca, banana, and water hyacinth.
The top is hand-embroidered with images that represent different Filipino games such as piko, tumbang preso, trumpo, luksong baka, luksong tinik, patintero, yoyo, sipa, luksong kalabaw, luksong lubid, and syato.
The tops proudly display national symbols, featuring the Philippine flag's tricolor trimming. The collars bear the Philippine flag on one side and the Philippine Olympic Committee logo on the other.
Completing the look, the garment's first three buttons are color-coded blue, yellow, and red.
For the pants, Bacudio thought about how he could make the athletes feel comfortable. The designer incorporated Trambia, a lightweight and comfortable textile often favored for blankets, and Poly-Piña. He then specifically altered the material to enhance its strength and durability.
"Nag rerepresent sa atin yung baba nila parang kino-comfort natin sila... [The pants are] wearable, nakaka-move, and comfortable," he said.
In June, Bacudio held a fundraising dinner and fashion show called "Spike For A Cause" to support the 2025 FIVB Men's Volleyball World Championship.
"Every time nananalo lang ang ating mga athletes, saka lang natin sila nabibigyan ng pansin at pagmamahal. Pero hindi natin alam yung pinagdaanan nila at kung saan sila nanggaling. So I just want to tell the story na paano ba sila naka kuha ng ginto, paano ba sila nakapunta ng Manila, yung hirap ng buhay. Ang passion talaga nila is makauwi ng ginto," he told L!fe.
"If you have a voice na parang ganito, bakit di natin gawin at ibigay din sa kanila? Kasi yung pinagdadaanan nila para maiuwi ang ginto, sobrang hirap," he continued.
The upcoming 2025 SEA Games in Thailand will feature around 1,600 Filipino athletes.
