By Kristel Satumbaga
Every medalist in the 30th Southeast Asian Games will go home with a piece of the country’s cultural identity as envisioned by Filipino designer and sculptor Daniel dela Cruz.
A man holds the medals that will be given to the winners of the 30th SEA Games Philippines where a symbol of “Layag” or sail is encrusted on to symbolize the relationship of the Philippines with its ASEAN neighbors through galleon trade since the early days of the barter system of the country. The medals were designed by filipino artist Daniel Dela Cruz. (PHOTO/ ALVIN KASIBAN)
Dela Cruz said it took a lot of research to come up with the best idea of representing the country in the medals that will be distributed to the winners in this edition of the biennial meet.
“The imagery used in the design is part of being Filipino. I think no matter where you look at it, the identity of the Filipino still comes out in the design,” he said in a recent television interview with ANC.
The medal design shows a sail or “layag” with surrounding waters, representing the archipelagic country with the New Clark City stadium carved at the back.
“Our common thing with our (Southeast Asian) neighbors is that we’re surrounded by seas and our first contact with each other is through trade and the sea,” Dela Cruz said of the inspiration behind the design.
He added the process came from step-by-step renderings of computer to actual prototypes, heeding to the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee’s (Phisgoc) prerequisite of wanting it on a world-class level.
“It’s very detailed, with the use of high technology. And it also has substantial weight,” Dela Cruz said.
He was also behind the design of the official torch, which drew inspiration from the country’s national flower, sampaguita.
“It’s a very nice representation of the Filipinos. Sampaguitas are small, simple and humble-looking, yet it last a couple of days. And I think it’s very much an example of the simplicity and resilience of the Filipinos,” he said.
Source: Manila Bulletin
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