Filipino-themed designs in Animal Crossing


Filipinos have always kept up with popular games such as Pokémon and Mobile Legends, and even more so now with the COVID-19 pandemic keeping everyone at home. That is why everyone with a Nintendo Switch got into Animal Crossing: New Horizons the moment it came out.

And because of the quarantine depriving everyone of social interaction, many Filipinos have taken to the game to show off the things they miss about the outside world, or to virtually experience events that were canceled.


Traditional Filipino outfits


From tribal wear to local textiles, several Filipino players and establishments have been showing off their Pinoy pride through fashion in Animal Crossing.

Animal Crossing characters wearing traditional Filipino clothes

Ayala Museum, popular for housing exhibits on Filipino culture, art, and history, created traditional indigenous wear in the game. They designed a Yakan skirt with a dark blue long-sleeved blouse, worn by Yakan women of Basilan and Zamboanga. They also made a Bagobo warrior shirt, worn by elite Bagobo warriors called the magani.
different patterns for clothes on Animal Crossing
Image credit:
@ayalamuseum

You can even customize these pieces with different patterns inspired by the museum’s textile collection. The further you are into the game, the more patterns you can use!

animated versions of Filipino tribal wearImages adapted from: Jazmine Bu Binag

Facebook user Jazmine Bu Binag also designed traditional clothes inspired by the Bukidnon, Manobo, Kalinga, and Ilongot tribes across the Philippines. The designs feature a variety of dresses and ternos made of colorful weaves and textiles.


Jollibee food stalls and mascots


animated Jollibee food stalls and staff
Image credit: Czarina Ellingson

Jollibee is where Bida ang saya” (Happiness comes first), so it only makes sense that people gravitate towards the fast-food restaurant during these hard times. Filipinos have built food stalls emblazoned with the Jollibee logo, manned by staff wearing Jollibee uniforms and caps.

animated Jollibee mascot and costumeImages adapted from: Sarah Rocco

Some have also created Jollibee mascots, modeled after Jollibee’s famous red and yellow bee mascot.


University of the Philippines’s graduation ceremony, with matching sablay


animated UP student wearing a barong and sablay, beside white dress on mannequinImage credit: @louie_lee

Like all mass gatherings, graduation ceremonies had to be put on hold because of the pandemic. That prompted students to hold their own ceremonies inside the world of Animal Crossing. Louie Lee, from the University of the Philippines, designed outfits for UP’s graduation ceremony – a white barong and a white dress, along with the university’s traditional graduation sablay sash.

Animal Crossing replication of the UP Oval, with a UP student in graduation outfitImage credit: @louie_lee

He also built a replica of the UP Oval, where the university usually holds its graduation ceremonies, for students to visit and virtually graduate in.


Stay connected to the outside world


Being disconnected from friends and family physically doesn’t mean you have to feel alone. When you miss being around people a little more than usual, remember that you can reach out through text, social media platforms, or even video games like Animal Crossing.

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Cover image adapted from: @louie_lee

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