Photo / Francis Libiran
Our Filipino athletes are set to wear this barong at the official opening ceremonies of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) to be held in Phnom Penh in Cambodia.
It is called the Araw Barong, and it is designed by Filipino fashion icon Francis Libiran.
The Francis Libiran Araw is made out of Philippine jusi fabric with embroidery using fine threads and materials. It features the art of the Philippine flag, with hues of blue overlapping a small bed of red. The focal point of the entire Barong Tagalog is the intricately embroidered sun and its rays stretching over the sash and collar.
This is not the first time that Libiran dressed Team Philippines for the SEA Games.
In 2019, he was appointed by the Philippine Sports Commission to design the official parade uniforms for more than 2,000 athletes and officials at the 30th SEA Games held in the Philippines. He created the iconic Flag Barong, which received critical acclaim.
Photo / Francis Libiran
In 2022, Libiran was also commissioned to be the official designer for the parade uniforms of Team Philippines at the 31st SEA Games held in Hanoi, Vietnam. He created the Agila Barong which featured intricate art deco embroidery of the Philippine eagle.
Libiran has been in the fashion industry for more than two decades and has become one of the most sought-after designers in the Philippines. He is also a favorite among celebrities in Hollywood and the Middle East. The designer is famous for his signature Art Deco design details, which are a staple in all his artistic works.
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