SEA Games 2019 medals designed by Filipino artist Daniel dela Cruz unveiled

Filipino artist-sculptor Daniel dela Cruz intricately designed the 2019 Southeast Asian Games medals incorporating elements signifying the host country, the Philippines, according to a report by Ian Cruz on GMA News' Saksi on Friday.

The medals will be given in the 56 sports categories in the 30th SEA Games which will start on November 30 at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Dela Cruz, who also designed the SEA Games torch, played up elements from the Philippines.

On the medal's front, above the SEA Games logo is a sail typically used by Filipino boats.

Encircling the logo are sea waves signifying the Philippine archipelago.

At the back is a rendering of the sports facilities at the New Clark City, site of the SEA Games, which was incorporated using high density etching.

Symbols of the various sports are embedded using laser etching.

"How often do we get to host the SEA Games? For me, to be able to play a small part in that and to be able to know that our athletes will be able to bring home, hopefully and I believe so, most of the gold, parang nakakataba ng puso," dela Cruz said.

The gold medal is 24-karat gold plated but the wave design in front is made of rhodium through bi-plating technology.

The bronze medal is not made of bronze but of rose gold for a better finish.

"Whether you win bronze, silver or gold is already a success... Kadalasan po 'yung bronze, 'pag sinabi niyo pong bronze, ang kulay ng medal ay para ho siyang brown. Kauna-unahang beses na imbes na bronze, ang bansa natin ay gumawa ng ang tinatawag na kulay ay rose gold," Dela Cruz said.

The ribbon used for the medal uses colors associated with the SEA Games.

The backside of the ribbon meanwhile shows traditional Filipino weave patterns.

A total of 4,800 medals were ordered by the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) for the 30th SEA Games.

Team Philippines is hoping to bag 200 gold medals to once again be the overall champion. —KG, GMA News