SEA Games Wraps: 2 Medal Design Choices Manila Got Right 🥇

The 30th SEA Games closed December 11 with Philippines topping the medal table. Two specific medal-design decisions worth studying for any Thai regional event you organize.

Two-Tone Plating Reads Premium

Philippines medals combined matte and polished plating on the same medal face — the contrast caught light differently from every angle and gave the medal photographic depth that single-finish medals lack. Cost on a custom die: zero. The finish difference is a factory step, not a material change.

Ribbon Coordinated to Sport Category

Philippines tailored ribbon color subtly to match each sport category (water sports got blue accents, combat sports got red, athletics got gold). Small touch (no factory cost, just inventory management) made the medals feel sport-specific rather than tournament-generic.