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Metro Exclusive: Francis Libiran Tells The Story Behind The 'Sinag' Barong For The Paris Olympics 2024

Team Philippines is all set for this year's Olympics!

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Carla Buyo

<p>With just a few more days until the grand opening ceremony of the <a href="https://metro.style/fashion/inspiration/paris-olympics-2024-national-team-uniforms/38430" target="_blank">Paris Olympics</a> on the 26th of July, many are excited to see this year’s line-up of athletes and the dazzling display of National Team costumes from all over the world. </p><div><br/></div><p>Designs of every fabric, color, and silhouette add another layer of intrigue as we take a step closer to the games. Each outfit carries a powerful statement and sense of pride. Take, for instance, the buzz surrounding the <strong>Philippines</strong>’ Olympic attire created by <strong>Francis Libiran</strong>. The vibrant colors and traditional patterns aren’t just visually stunning but they exhibit national identity and cultural heritage. </p><div><br/></div><p>The<em> barong tagalog</em> is traditionally a long-sleeved formal shirt made from sheer textiles like <em>piña</em> and <em>abaca</em>. Through the years, we’ve seen the barong interpreted in many ways from using sustainable fabrics and embroidery. Francis reinterpreted the look for Team Philippines by adding a vibrant contemporary sling.</p><div><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img loading="lazy" src="https://assets-metrostyle.abs-cbn.com/prod/metrostyle/attachments/704275fe-7598-46fc-8f5b-70dda14be5f0_b-francis-libiran-paris-olympics-2024.png" style="width:950px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt=""/><span class="fr-inner" style="text-align:left">Francis Libiran&#x27;s Sinag barong for the Paris Olympics</span></span></span></div><p>In an exclusive interview with Francis Libiran, the designer shared the story, process, and message behind the captivating <em>Sinag</em> barong.</p><div><br/></div><p>The design is mainly inspired by the Sun and the famous tattoo patterns of the <em>Pintados</em>. “The Sun represents the beauty of our islands the resiliency of our people. We will rise and shine no matter how hard life is. The tattoo patterns of the <em>Pintados</em> symbolize our athletes and their dedication,” says Francis. To set <em>Sinag</em> apart from traditional barongs, Francis added a contemporary sling that gives off the look and feeling of an armor.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned="" data-instgrm-permalink="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8eaNJvyeOo/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" data-instgrm-version="14" style="background:#FFF;border:0;border-radius:3px;box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15);margin:1px;max-width:540px;min-width:326px;padding:0;width:calc(100% - 2px)"><div style="padding:16px"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8eaNJvyeOo/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="background:#FFFFFF;line-height:0;padding:0 0;text-align:center;text-decoration:none;width:100%" target="_blank"> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:row;align-items:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:40px;margin-right:14px;width:40px"><br/></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:100px"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:60px"><br/></div></div></div><div style="padding:19% 0"><br/></div> <div style="display:block;height:50px;margin:0 auto 12px;width:50px"><svg width="50px" height="50px" viewBox="0 0 60 60" version="1.1" xmlns="https://www.w3.org/2000/svg" xmlns:xlink="https://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"><g stroke="none" stroke-width="1" fill="none" fill-rule="evenodd"><g transform="translate(-511.000000, -20.000000)" fill="#000000"><g><path d="M556.869,30.41 C554.814,30.41 553.148,32.076 553.148,34.131 C553.148,36.186 554.814,37.852 556.869,37.852 C558.924,37.852 560.59,36.186 560.59,34.131 C560.59,32.076 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style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(0px) translateY(7px)"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;height:12.5px;transform:rotate(-45deg) translateX(3px) translateY(1px);width:12.5px;flex-grow:0;margin-right:14px;margin-left:2px"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;height:12.5px;width:12.5px;transform:translateX(9px) translateY(-18px)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:8px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:50%;flex-grow:0;height:20px;width:20px"><br/></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:2px solid transparent;border-left:6px solid #f4f4f4;border-bottom:2px solid transparent;transform:translateX(16px) translateY(-4px) rotate(30deg)"><br/></div></div><div style="margin-left:auto"> <div style="width:0px;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-right:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(16px)"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;flex-grow:0;height:12px;width:16px;transform:translateY(-4px)"><br/></div> <div style="width:0;height:0;border-top:8px solid #F4F4F4;border-left:8px solid transparent;transform:translateY(-4px) translateX(8px)"><br/></div></div></div> <div style="display:flex;flex-direction:column;flex-grow:1;justify-content:center;margin-bottom:24px"> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;margin-bottom:6px;width:224px"><br/></div> <div style="background-color:#F4F4F4;border-radius:4px;flex-grow:0;height:14px;width:144px"><br/></div></div></a><div style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;line-height:17px;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:8px;overflow:hidden;padding:8px 0 7px;text-align:center;text-overflow:ellipsis;white-space:nowrap"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/reel/C8eaNJvyeOo/?utm_source=ig_embed&amp;utm_campaign=loading" style="color:#c9c8cd;font-family:Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-style:normal;font-weight:normal;line-height:17px;text-decoration:none" target="_blank">A post shared by Francis Libiran (@francislibiran)</a></div></div></blockquote> </div><div><br/></div><p>Francis furthers his vision for the <em>Sinag</em> barong by using a light and airy fabric sourced from Kalibo, Aklan called <em>piña-jusi</em>. It’s a crisp and paper-like silk organdy that feels luxe and sturdy.</p><div><br/></div><p>Stay tuned on <strong>Metro.Style</strong> for more fashion coverage of the Paris Olympics.</p><div><br/></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/fashion/inspiration/paris-olympics-2024-national-team-uniforms/38430" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Paris Olympics 2024: The National Team Uniforms From All Over The World</a></div><div><strong>Related Story: </strong><a href="/fashion/inspiration/mongolia-olympics-2024-uniform/38583" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Here’s Why The Mongolian Olympic Uniforms Are So Talked About</a></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>