JAKARTA—Filipino-American Jordan Clarkson is the designated flag-bearer for Team Philippines at Saturday night’s opening ceremony at the Gelora Bung Karno Stadium here.
And he has to look good doing the historic task.
The National Basketball Association player from the Cleveland Cavaliers had to try out six new Barong Tagalog to fit his size—he is an athletic 6-foot-5.
“Those were the only oversize ones left so we shipped them out as fast as we can,” said national team chef de mission Richard Gomez, who returned here on a Philippine Airlines flight Friday night together with a handful Filipino athletes, of the national costume designed by noted couturier Randy Ortiz. “I hope one of those fits Jordan.”
The silk Barongs had an embroidered harimanok design and sun on both breasts and will be worn by most of the 272-member contingent. The ceremony is set at 7 p.m. (8 p.m. in Manila) on Saturday at the 80,000-seat stadium.
Gomez bared that he had endorsed Clarkson as the flag-bearer to Philippine Olympic Committee Secretary-General Pato Gregorio “because Clarkson is a good role model who has reached the pinnacle of being a Filipino basketball athlete by playing in the NBA. He will inspire our other athletes here to do well.”
He pointed out that bestowing the honor on a Fil-Am was also sending a message that “whether you are Filipino born overseas or locally, we are just one big sports family.”
Clarkson will be taking off his Barong and will finally make his national team debut on August 21 against China in Group D of the Asian Games men’s basketball qualifiers—proudly wearing a Philippine jersey that undoubtedly will fit him to a T.
Image credits: Nonie Reyes