A historic group also deserves some fire drip.
The Philippines will make history at the very beginning of the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia in May by parading an all-female group of athletes in the opening ceremony.
“This will be a first in SEA Games history as Team Philippines will be represented by an all-women delegation in the parade,” Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president Rep. Bambol Tolentino said in a media release on Friday.
It wasn't disclosed how the idea came about, but with the way Filipina athletes have been bringing honor to the Philippines in recent years, giving them the spotlight at the Morodok Techo Stadium on May 5 is a fitting recognition.
The POC, however, noted that the flag-bearer, who will be named in the coming days, will be a male athlete.
Fifty Pinay athletes will don a white barong Tagalog designed by iconic fashion designer Francis Libiran. Named "Araw," it is made out of jusi fabric and materials native to the Philippines, according to the POC. It also features an intricate embroider of the Philippine flag.
Libiran was also tapped in 2019 to design the barong worn by Filipino athletes during the opening ceremony of the 30th SEA Games in Hanoi.