Cover Following his designs for the Paris Olympics, Francis Libiran takes a more singular approach for the Asian Games, putting the Philippine flag at the centre of ‘Malaya’ (Photo: courtesy of Francis Libiran)
Following his designs for the Paris Olympics, Francis Libiran takes a more singular approach for the Asian Games, putting the Philippine flag at the centre of ‘Malaya’ (Photo: courtesy of Francis Libiran)
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Francis Libiran’s ‘Malaya’ brings together piña-jusi, Kalinga tattoo motifs, Baybayin and the colours of the Philippine flag for the country’s 2026 Asian Games delegation
Filipino designer Francis Libiran’s barong for the Asian Games has one thing on its mind: make the flag impossible to miss.
For the Philippine delegation heading to the 20th Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, the designer has given the familiar formal shirt a striking new detail: an asymmetrical sleeve in vibrant blue and red, set against a sheer cream piña-jusi body. Yellow embroidery runs along the cuff and shoulder. A matching embroidered cap finishes the look.
The creation is called ‘Malaya’—meaning free—and after the reception of Libiran’s designs for the Paris Olympics, it marks a different direction for the designer.
“With every national delegation piece, I consider it a profound privilege and a fresh canvas,” Libiran says. “I wanted a singular statement, an asymmetrical signature sleeve reimagining the Philippine flag—direct, modern and unmistakable against a clean backdrop.”
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Above How Francis Libiran reimagined the Barong for the Asian Games (Photo: courtesy of Francis Libiran)
How Francis Libiran reimagined the Barong for the Asian Games (Photo: courtesy of Francis Libiran)
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It’s a smart trick for a garment that has to make an impression in a matter of seconds. As athletes walk and wave during the opening ceremony, the red and blue sleeve catches the eye, while yellow embroidery picks up the light. “Broadcast cameras capture movement in high contrast,” Libiran says. “We placed the asymmetrical signature sleeve in vibrant blue and red panels on the left arm, accented with shimmering yellow embroidery along the cuff and shoulder.”
Comfort, meanwhile, is built into the piece. Libiran selected a sheer cream piña-jusi body for its qualities. “Piña-jusi offers the exquisite, high-fashion sheen of traditional Philippine weaving while remaining exceptionally lightweight, breathable and fluid.” An inner shirt provides warmth for the colder climate.
The silhouette has also been loosened from the more rigid structure often associated with the traditional barong tagalog. Athletes have different bodies and very different demands on their clothes. A weightlifter and a runner, after all, aren’t exactly built to the same pattern.
Libiran’s solution is a relaxed, contemporary straight fit with a structured point collar. The body has enough ease to drape across different athletic builds, while the collar and shoulders keep their crispness. The same principle applies to the women’s delegation, with the fluid fabric and tailored-yet-relaxed cut designed to adapt to women’s frames.
“A national uniform must instil equal pride across the entire delegation,” Libiran says.
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Above How Francis Libiran reimagined the Barong for the Asian Games (Photo: courtesy of Francis Libiran)
How Francis Libiran reimagined the Barong for the Asian Games (Photo: courtesy of Francis Libiran)
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For the embroidery, Libiran drew inspiration from the heritage of the Cordillera region, specifically traditional Kalinga tattoo motifs hand-worked in yellow thread. The Python symbolises protection, good fortune and health. The Compass represents guidance and direction. Prayer stands for unity and faith. “At the heart of the embroidery lies the word ‘Malaya’ (meaning free) written in Baybayin, our pre-colonial script serving as the piece’s quiet, powerful anthem,” he says.
The old and the new sit side by side. Traditional piña-jusi weaving and hand embroidery preserve the craft of the barong, while asymmetrical colour-blocking, a geometric Baybayin layout and a contemporary cut give it a different visual language.
“It is a delicate dance between honour and innovation,” Libiran says. “We preserve the soul of the garment by utilising traditional craft piña-jusi weaving, indigenous motifs and hand embroidery. The modernisation comes through composition by applying asymmetrical colour-blocking, introducing pre-colonial Baybayin script in a fresh geometric layout and refining the silhouette into a sleek, contemporary cut. It honours where we come from while declaring where we are going.”
Above How Francis Libiran reimagined the Barong for the Asian Games (Photo: courtesy of Francis Libiran)
How Francis Libiran reimagined the Barong for the Asian Games (Photo: courtesy of Francis Libiran)
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Making the pieces proved quite the challenge, indeed. The atelier is hand-crafting individual uniforms for dozens of athletes with different measurements, while working around demanding training and travel schedules. Some athletes are abroad and cannot be measured in person, including Alex Eala, whose measurements were provided to the team.
“Hand-crafting individual pieces for dozens of athletes with drastically different measurements within tight timeframes is always our greatest challenge,” Libiran says. Even with the logistical hurdles, the handwork remains meticulous: every cuff and pattern is worked by his team.
There’s a second life planned for the barong, too. The sleeves are detachable, and the garment is two-way, converting into a plain barong that can be worn for other special occasions.
Above How Francis Libiran reimagined the Barong for the Asian Games (Photo: courtesy of Francis Libiran)
How Francis Libiran reimagined the Barong for the Asian Games (Photo: courtesy of Francis Libiran)
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For Libiran, though, the most lasting part may have little to do with the garment itself. Athletes have shared that putting on the national barong before stepping onto the world stage changes their mindset. “It makes them feel wrapped in the support of the entire country,” he says. That feeling is what makes the late nights worthwhile. The barong carries their dedication and legacy, and may eventually be passed down as a symbol of pride.
Libiran is also thinking about someone who may never wear one. “When a young kid watching the broadcast sees the Philippine flag pinned to your creation,” the designer hopes, “it will evoke a boundless sense of freedom and belonging which is the core spirit of ‘Malaya’. I want that young child to feel proud of their roots, inspired by our ancient scripts and indigenous art and genuinely believe that they, too, are free to dream, represent our country, stand tall on any world stage and beam with pride as a Filipino.”
The message is sewn into the garment. So is the flag. And for a few seconds on the Asian Games broadcast, that may be all the introduction the Philippines needs.
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Angela Nicole Regis Guiral is a digital editor at Tatler Philippines. She studied journalism and has since written features that look closely at how culture, lifestyle and social impact converge, while occasionally wandering into the worlds of style and travel.
