LOOK: Francis Libiran's 'Araw' barong is Team PH's uniform in SEA Games 2023 opening parade

The Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) has just shared a first look at the official uniform of the country's delegates at this year's SEA Games opening ceremony.

The ensemble is an intricately designed barong, dubbed "Araw," by renowned Filipino fashion designer Francis Libiran.

The acclaimed artist reinvented the national garment by incorporating elements of the Philippine flag, from its colors to the iconic eight-rayed golden sun.

On the left chest is a sash that features an embroidery of a quarter of the sun with rays extending up to the collar. The sun's rim is designed with tribal patterns that complement those of the sun's rays. 

Completing the look of Pinoy pride are the hues of blue and red filling out the rest of the design, as well as the tribal border that stretches from the shoulder down to the bottom area of the placket. There is also another embroidery of sun on the left collar.

The custom-made Barong Tagalog is made out of jusic fabric and materials.

These elements, according to Libiran, truly represent every Filipino as they show off their liberty, peace, and valor.

Libiran's "Araw" barong marks the third time he was commissioned by the Philippine Sports Commission to design the parade outfit of the Philippines SEA Games team.

The first was in 2019 when Libiran created a barong with a detachable collar and a design featuring the Philippine sun. Two years later, in 2022, Team Philippines paraded in the Morodok Techo Stadium in Vietnam wearing Libiran's "Agila" barong that featured an art deco Philippine eagle.

This year's opening ceremony parade will see the SEA Game's first all-women delegation from the Philippines. The 50 Filipina atheletes who will parade in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on May 5 will be joined by three men: POC Committee President Bambol Tolentino, Chef de Mission Chito Loyzaga, and the flag bearer whose identity is yet to be revealed.

Over 1,100 delegates will represent the Philippines in the biennial event that will run until May 17.