Team Philippines to wear flag-inspired barong at Asian Games

Team Philippines athletes wear the “Malaya” Barong, designed by Filipino fashion designer Francis Libiran, during the delegation’s official send-off for the 2026 Asian Games on Thursday. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

MANILA, Philippines–The Philippine flag takes center stage on Team Philippines’ attire for the opening ceremony of the Asian Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

Filipino athletes will wear the “Malaya” Barong by Filipino fashion designer Francis Libiran, which incorporates the colors and rays of the Philippine flag along with piña jusi, Baybayin and Kalinga-inspired patterns.

READ: Team Philippines ‘dreams big,’ targets 8 golds in Asian Games 2026

“For those who carry our flag, we create something that carries our story,” Libiran said in a Facebook post. “May our athletes wear it with pride, and carry it with courage.

The barong is paired with the “Malaya” cap, which also features the rays of the Philippine flag.

Libiran has designed Team Philippines’ attire for opening ceremonies at previous major events, including the Southeast Asian Games and Olympics. Most recently, he created the “Sinag” Barong worn by Filipino athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Several members of Team Philippines paraded in the barong and the tracksuits that the delegation will wear during the continental meet at the official send-off Thursday at the Rizal Memorial Coliseum.

Athletes wear the official tracksuit for Team Philippines during the send-off for the 2026 Asian Games on Thursday. –MARLO CUETO/INQUIRER.net

The Philippines will be sending 447 athletes in 34 sporting disciplines to the Asian Games, where it is targeting at least eight gold medals, according to the Philippine Olympic Committee.

The opening ceremonies will be held at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Nagoya on September 19.