Avel Bacudio takes Filipino fashion into the arena, quite literally. The designer’s latest collection titled “Gintong Sinag” isn’t merely for show—though it undeniably turns heads—it’s built for movement with intent and meaning. A fusion of sportswear and luxury, this isn’t your standard athleisure. Think of it as sportswear with a passport, ready to follow Filipino athletes wherever they compete. It’s sleek, breathable, and built for movement, yet proudly woven with Philippine heritage.
RELATED: History Maker: Alex Eala Claims Her Biggest Win at the Miami Open
Bacudio has played with sportswear before, but this time, the game has changed. “Some say our weaves are too delicate,” he admits, “but I twisted it—thought about it carefully and put in some innovation.” That meant teaming up with the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Textile Research Institute (PTRI) to rework traditional fabrics, integrating elastic threads to enhance flexibility. The process wasn’t easy, but for Bacudio, the challenge was worth it. The result is a performance-ready collection that blends the latest textile technology with the craftsmanship of local weavers.
His material lineup reads like a tribute to the country’s natural resources: water lily fabric, pineapple, bamboo, banana fiber. Traditional weaving techniques remain untouched, but he introduces tonal shifts to make them more versatile. “In Mindanao, some textiles are sacred—you can’t change them,” he explains. “So instead of altering tradition, I worked within it.”
Dressing the New Philippines
For all its work and worth, the collection is also a call to action. Bacudio wants Filipinos to rally behind their athletes, especially the rising talents training at the National Academy of Sports (NAS) in Pampanga. “We celebrate our gold medalists, but what about those still on their way?” he asks. “They need support—financially, mentally. If Carlos Yulo can bring home two gold medals, imagine what these kids could achieve with the right backing.”
For this reason, Bacudio handpicked his models from the NAS, choosing young athletes who embody the strength and discipline of the sports they represent. He also included Paralympians, a group often overlooked in fashion. “Why don’t we celebrate them, too?” he says. “This show is about everyone who puts in the work.”
Performance Meets Culture
What sets this collection apart is how effortlessly it bridges fashion and function. It’s sportswear, but reimagined through a Filipino lens. He calls it, “sportsluxe”. The pieces move with the body, hold up in the wash, and—perhaps the biggest surprise for Bacudio—remain unmistakably wearable. “We usually think about clothes in terms of aesthetics, not movement,” he says. “This time, movement came first.”
Gone are the stiff, ceremonial outfits that once represented Filipino athletes on the world stage. Instead, the designer envisions a new uniform—one that speaks to the country’s future while staying rooted in its past. “This isn’t barong anymore,” Avel Bacudio says with conviction. “This is the Philippines. The new Philippines.”
To learn more about Avel Bacudio’s sportsluxe collection, visit his website
Photographed by KIM SANTOS of KLIQ INC.
Latest Posts
Latest Issue
