As the Paris Olympics 2024 ends, Filipinos are gearing up to welcome home its athletes with much pomp and circumstance. Little did anyone at the opening parade on the River Seine know that the country would make an impressive four-medal haul of two golds and two bronze medals. What the world saw then were our athletes proudly wearing their hearts, and the “three stars and the sun,” on their sleeves in designer Francis Libiran’s “Sinag” Barong Tagalog, beaming Pinoy pride to the rest of the world.

Over the past two decades, Francis Libiran is best known for creating some of the most beautiful gowns, exquisitely-cut suits have graced runways and red carpets both here and abroad. His use of art deco patterns and intricate embellishments have caught the attention of Hollywood celebrities, featured on America’s Next Top Model, and worn by beauty queens.

Libiran’s love for country is visualized through his beautiful Barong Tagalogs. This piece of traditional Filipino formal garb has become the medium by which he fashioned the official uniforms of Philippine athletes for the SEA Games — in 2019, 2022, and 2023. The colors and elements of the Philippine flag figured prominently in his designs, naming it “Flag” in 2019, and “Araw” in 2023.

In what could be one of his greatest achievements, Libiran was asked to, once again, reimagine the Barong Tagalog for the biggest sporting event in the world — the 2024 Paris Olympics. Calling his design “Sinag,” which translates to ‘ray of light’, he envisioned the rays of the sun as a symbol of hope and pride. Once again, he turned to our national flag to showcase cultural heritage and heroism. The embroidery, which covers the left shoulder and upper arm, is inspired by the Pintados warriors and their fierceness in battle. The torso is draped with a bright yellow sun ray pattern decorating the chest, much like a warrior’s armor symbolizing bravery and hope.

What was your reaction when you were asked to create the official uniforms of the Philippine team for the 2024 Paris Olympics?

When I was commissioned by the Philippine Olympic Committee, and its president Abraham N. Tolentino, to work on such an important representation for our athletes, I thought, I have to make them shine and stand out on the opening day of the Olympic games. With such a momentous opportunity before us, there is no better way to represent them and our country than with our very own Filipino Barong Tagalog.

You have designed the Philippine team’s official uniforms for the SEA Games and other sports events and parades. How different was the feeling of working on a design for the Olympics?