Cover What makes Francis Libiran’s ‘Sinag’ barong for the Paris 2024 Olympics special?
What makes Francis Libiran’s ‘Sinag’ barong for the Paris 2024 Olympics special?
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We take a look inside Francis Libiran’s thoughts on making the Sinag barong for the upcoming Summer Olympic Games
Preparing for the Olympics—the ultimate sporting event—is akin to preparing for war: athletes train rigorously, strategise meticulously, and push their bodies to the limit to achieve peak performance. Their singular goal? Victory. Reflecting this warrior and hero spirit, Francis Libiran designed the Sinag Barong for the Paris 2024 Olympics opening ceremony.
Crafted from piña-jusi fabric, each barong features a detachable silk organdy sling adorned with embroidered sun rays and Pintados-inspired warrior patterns, symbolising bravery and national pride. “Every element of the design showcases the rich cultural heritage of the Philippines,” Libiran shares on Instagram.
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Above The athletes representing the Philippines will be wearing this design by Francis Libiran at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremonies (Photo: olympic.ph)
The athletes representing the Philippines will be wearing this design by Francis Libiran at the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremonies (Photo: olympic.ph)
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The sling was placed near the heart for a reason. “When I talk to athletes [I always tell them to] put our Philippine flag beside your heart,” Libiran explains in an interview with ANC. “Every time they represent our country, it’s close to their hearts. It’s for the Philippines.”
Designing the Sinag Barong posed unique challenges for Libiran, for it demanded meticulous attention to detail. Given that the athletes will parade on a barge, he opted for the most vibrant shades of blue and red to ensure visibility from a distance. Intricate yellow embroidery enhances the contrast between these colours, ensuring clarity even amid the spectacle.
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Libiran also integrated the tricolore into the detachable sling, paying homage to Paris and fostering a connection between the Philippine team and their international hosts.
Beyond the Olympic Games, Libiran also envisioned the Sinag Barong as versatile attire suitable for various occasions. The detachable sling allows athletes to transform the barong into elegant attire for other special events and gatherings, enhancing its practicality.
Read more: Paris Olympics 2024 highlights
As the official designer of the Philippine Olympic team, Libiran’s mission surpasses mere aesthetics; it’s about showcasing Filipino pride.
“It’s really memorable because the Philippines has been participating in the Olympics for 100 years already. It’s a way to show the unity of Filipinos,” Libiran says. “I’m just part of it as a designer, to do my work to dress up our athletes and make themselves proud when they wear it.”
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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.
