- 10 hours ago
“If you have an intention, be very loyal to it. It will happen one day.” ✨
From Miss World Megan Young to Miss International Kylie Versoza, to PPop Kings SB19 and global star Gwen Stefani, internationally-acclaimed Filipino designer Francis Libiran has dressed them all.
Did he unconsciously manifest these from dreams into reality, by doing a secret routine? 👀
Find out about this routine, Francis’ amusing anecdote about his first ever clients, why “All brides are beautiful,” the 2024 Paris Olympics, and how Francis remained true to his fashion mission in this episode of Power Talks.
From Miss World Megan Young to Miss International Kylie Versoza, to PPop Kings SB19 and global star Gwen Stefani, internationally-acclaimed Filipino designer Francis Libiran has dressed them all.
Did he unconsciously manifest these from dreams into reality, by doing a secret routine? 👀
Find out about this routine, Francis’ amusing anecdote about his first ever clients, why “All brides are beautiful,” the 2024 Paris Olympics, and how Francis remained true to his fashion mission in this episode of Power Talks.
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NewsTranscript
00:00I love designing pag-gutom.
00:02Really?
00:03Like, you know, it's hard to write pag-gutom.
00:07Do you still remember your first official creation?
00:11Oh, it's so sad.
00:14I don't want to go back.
00:16Because it's so sad and sad.
00:17What is it? Dress?
00:18Dress?
00:19Yes.
00:20It's so sad to know how to do it.
00:22Would you describe your relationship with your parents before
00:25as difficult in the sense that they were very strict with you?
00:29It was hard for them to accept who I am that time.
00:32When I opened up to my dad,
00:34talagang lahat ng harsh words.
00:36You'll never be happy.
00:38You'll never be successful.
00:40Of course, it broke me that time.
00:42But hindi ako nag-ano ng galit sa kanila.
00:44My love for fashion and who I am is so strong
00:48that I cannot live it na being a lie to them.
00:52I was upfront that time.
00:54Looking back, sabi ko, grabe, I was so brave pala that time.
00:58When I was a kid that I would fight for what I want.
01:02I was a kid, my mind was so pure that time
01:05that I wanted to do this.
01:07And it manifested when I became an adult already.
01:11Ang galang, no? So you were manifesting.
01:13Even before manifesting was a thing, di ba?
01:15Yeah. I believe in the power of,
01:17if you have an intention, be very loyal to it.
01:21It will happen one day.
01:29Storytelling through tailored pieces
01:31and blending tradition and modernity with Filipino artistry.
01:34These are only some of what acclaimed Filipino designer,
01:37Francis Libiran is known for,
01:39both here and in the international scene.
01:41Join us as we learn how Francis propels fashion
01:44into something that transcends form.
01:46And also, what are the stories behind
01:48some of his most meticulously crafted designs
01:51that have graced the runway?
01:53Only here on Power Talks.
01:55Hi Francis, it's so good to see you.
01:58Thanks for having us.
01:59Oh, thank you Pia. It's nice to see you.
02:01Your designs have reached, you know,
02:03have gained international acclaim.
02:05Maybe we can walk down memory lane,
02:08take us through how it all came to be
02:11and how you got here.
02:13Yeah.
02:14So, how did it all begin?
02:15I mean, because offhand, we know that,
02:17of course, the first,
02:19one of the first few claims to fame of Francis Libiran.
02:21Francis Libiran first came to be known,
02:23at least on the international scene,
02:24was America's next top model.
02:27Yes, yes.
02:28Di ba? And that was, what year was that?
02:30Oh, I'm not sure, right?
02:32Sa dami.
02:33Sa dami of circles.
02:34Sa dami of circles.
02:35Sa dami of circles, early 2000s.
02:36Early 2000s.
02:37Okay.
02:38But, as you all know, I'm an architect by profession.
02:41Mm-hmm.
02:42I graduated in UST.
02:43Di ko na sasabihin yung ano, taon.
02:46But, that's how I started.
02:48So, I finished being an architect on time.
02:54I worked for two years.
02:55And in two years,
02:57ayun ka ba, one day I just got bored
03:00and just, sabi ko, I'll find my resignation
03:03because I cannot take it anymore.
03:05So, I filed my resignation,
03:07nagulat yung boss ko.
03:08Sabi ko, why are you resigning?
03:10Sabi ko, this is not what I want.
03:12My love for fashion has been burning inside me.
03:15And the next day,
03:17talagang nag-enrol naka agad ako sa fashion school.
03:20So, when you submitted your resignation
03:23and enrolled in fashion school,
03:25who was the first person you told aside from your boss?
03:27Actually, the back story there is,
03:30I really wanted to be a designer.
03:32Mm-hmm.
03:33But, architecture was close to the designing part.
03:37So, my deal with my dad is,
03:39ayaw niya kasi ako maging designer.
03:41Ah, ayaw niya yung fashion designer.
03:43Ayaw niya.
03:44Okay.
03:45Old school eh.
03:46They think that, ano ka sastre?
03:48Parang ganun yung tingin niya.
03:49So, it has a bad connotation on my dad,
03:51me being a fashion designer.
03:53So, the closest thing that I got was being an architect.
03:57So, sabi ko sa kanya,
03:58Dad, ang deal ko sa'yo is,
04:00I'll finish on time.
04:01I'll make you proud.
04:03But, after that, I'm on my own.
04:06Pumayag naman.
04:07Pumayag?
04:08Pumayag naman.
04:09Okay.
04:10Plus, may bonus two years of architecture experience.
04:12Yeah, because I tried it.
04:14Eh, sabi ko, wala eh.
04:15Ang lakas nung ano ng fashion sa akin that time that,
04:19it forced me to quit,
04:21and talagang jump right away,
04:23the next day actually,
04:24to enroll in fashion school.
04:26Ganun ka, ano ka,
04:28na gustong gusto ko nang gawin.
04:30But, where did the love for fashion come from?
04:32Bata ka pa lang,
04:34you already had this passion for clothes,
04:37for design.
04:38Yeah.
04:39As far as I remember,
04:40eight years old,
04:41I love sketching at the back of my notebook.
04:44Habang nasa classroom.
04:47Sa classroom.
04:48May, ano kasi,
04:49being creative,
04:50I have a very,
04:51anong imagination ko sa utak eh.
04:54So, at eight years old,
04:55talagang I was watching mga red carpet events,
04:58beauty pageants,
05:00and after watching that,
05:01I would hide in my bathroom and just sketch.
05:05And while I'm sketching,
05:06I have this play in my head na parabang,
05:10for example,
05:11Gwen Stefani wearing my,
05:13wearing my,
05:14in the red carpet event.
05:15So,
05:16that,
05:17that time pala,
05:18I was manifesting it already.
05:20Na parabang,
05:21yun na pala yung exposure ko,
05:23yun yung ano ko.
05:24Tapos,
05:25I would under,
05:26I would hide it under my bed.
05:27Because I don't want my dad to see it.
05:29Diba?
05:30My biggest influence in fashion was my mom.
05:33She was, ano,
05:34very fashionable.
05:35Very fashionable.
05:36Syempre,
05:37mahilig magpatahe that time.
05:39Ako parating kasama.
05:41Sinasabi niya sa akin,
05:42Anak, ano ba mas bagay?
05:43Ito ba ako niyo?
05:44Hiningi niya opinion mo.
05:45Hiningi niya opinion mo.
05:46Hiningi niya opinion mo.
05:47Hiningi niya opinion mo.
05:48Kasi,
05:49siguro my mom knows it since I was small.
05:50But,
05:51dinidenyan niya lang because of my dad.
05:52Ah,
05:53okay.
05:54And then,
05:55growing up,
05:56parang,
05:57you were doing the sketches?
05:58I was doing the sketches.
05:59I was hiding my talent.
06:01Actually, Pia.
06:02Kasi, nahihiya ako eh.
06:03Syempre,
06:04ang tingin ko that time,
06:06hindi siya maganda.
06:08But,
06:09again,
06:10ang lakas ng calling niya.
06:11That I cannot deny it.
06:12I cannot put it aside.
06:13Diba?
06:14So,
06:15yung love ko for fashion grew and grew
06:16until I got older.
06:19Diba?
06:20Parang masasabi ko,
06:21grabe,
06:22hindi ko na makontain.
06:23Kailangan ko siyang pag-aralan.
06:25Or else,
06:26I don't want to regret it.
06:27To have regrets along the way.
06:29Did you try making like,
06:30you know,
06:31mga parang maliliit na damit
06:32para sa mga,
06:33alino,
06:34manika, ganyan?
06:35Hindi naman.
06:36Hindi naman ako naglaro ng Barbie.
06:37Okay, okay.
06:38Hindi,
06:39pang model lang.
06:40Malikin siya.
06:41Ang ano ko is more of me sketching.
06:43Sketching talaga.
06:44Sketching.
06:45And,
06:46always,
06:47it's in a red carpet event.
06:49Ah,
06:50yun talaga yung vision mo.
06:51May vision.
06:52Parabang,
06:53kasi during that time,
06:54I remember when I was watching,
06:56dinidescribe ng host yung mga damit.
06:59Ah,
07:00habang naglalakad.
07:01Habang naglalakad.
07:02So, my mind was settled on that.
07:04Uh-huh.
07:05Not knowing when I became a designer,
07:07ang dami ko nagawang red carpet event moment.
07:10For artists.
07:11Oo nga.
07:12Di ba?
07:13Parang,
07:14if you look at how things work,
07:15I was a kid,
07:16my mind was so pure that time,
07:18that I wanted to do this,
07:21and it manifested when I became an adult already.
07:24Ang kilang, no?
07:25Ang kilang, no?
07:26So, you were manifesting.
07:27Even before,
07:28manifesting was a thing,
07:29di ba?
07:30Kasi dati, parang,
07:31medyo recent na yun eh,
07:32yung manifest, di ba?
07:33Yes, yes.
07:34How long did it take for you to complete your studies
07:36sa Fashion Institute?
07:38It was just a fast course.
07:39Uh-huh.
07:40It's actually more on the construction,
07:41pattern making,
07:42sewing.
07:43It's what I needed.
07:44Okay.
07:45But the designing part,
07:46kasi,
07:47I know I can do it.
07:48Uh-huh.
07:49I know I can,
07:50but it's just,
07:51I need the tools for it to be able to come up with something.
07:53Do you still remember your first official creation?
07:57Oh, ang pangit, Pia.
08:00Ayoko na siyang balikan,
08:01kasi ang pangit-pangit niya.
08:03Ano siya? Dress?
08:04Dress siya.
08:05Oo.
08:06Parang nangangamoti ako kung paano gawin yung timing.
08:09May picture ka ron?
08:10Wala.
08:11Wala na. Tinabong ko na rin.
08:12Pero at least, di ba?
08:14Parang, you remember everything that you,
08:16parang wanted to change maybe about that dress, di ba?
08:18Yes.
08:19Moved on from there.
08:20I clearly remember first inquiring about the tuition fee and everything
08:25because I'm on my own that time
08:28because my dad doesn't want to support me
08:30then sa journey na yun.
08:33Would you describe your relationship with your parents before
08:36as difficult in the sense that they were very strict with you?
08:40Aha.
08:41I grew up in a very strict environment.
08:43Sa rato katoliko.
08:44My parents would serve at church every Sunday.
08:47I'm part of the serving.
08:48I'm an altar boy growing up.
08:50So talaga makikita mo, very conservative.
08:52Siyempre, me being a designer,
08:56ang nakaano dun is my sexuality also.
08:59I need to be open to them.
09:01Diba?
09:02Which, of course, it was hard for them to accept who I am at that time.
09:07So talagang, when I opened up to my dad,
09:11talagang lahat ng harsh words.
09:13You'll never be happy.
09:15You'll never be successful.
09:17In short, you're a failure.
09:19So, of course, it broke me that time.
09:22But hindi ako nag-ano ng galit sa kanila.
09:25I felt like I disappointed them.
09:28But again, my love for fashion and who I am is so strong
09:32that I cannot live it na being a lie to them.
09:38That's why I was honest enough to tell them.
09:40Eh, yun nga nga iba nga naging reaction.
09:43Diba?
09:44But how would you describe your relationship with them now?
09:47Okay, right now, before it was rough.
09:49Because they couldn't accept me.
09:52And everything was...
09:53But nung nakikita nyo na,
09:55I was doing good.
09:57They cannot deny that they see me on TV.
09:59They see me everywhere in newspapers and magazines.
10:03Eventually, they became proud.
10:05So ang tanong sa akin ng dad ko,
10:06Kamusta negosyo?
10:09Very straightforward.
10:10Very straightforward.
10:12And do you have siblings?
10:13Yes, I have five siblings.
10:16I have three brothers and two sisters.
10:18Okay.
10:19You're the only one inclined into the arts?
10:21Yeah.
10:22All of them are in the medical field.
10:23Ah, wow.
10:24As in, doktor silang lahat?
10:25Doktor, nurses.
10:27Ah.
10:28So my dad really wanted me to be a physical therapist that came.
10:31Okay.
10:32Oh, uso ka sa nun, diba?
10:33Uso na tayo, no?
10:34Alam nyo na na edad ko.
10:35Yeah, pala pala.
10:36Okay, yun nakakarilita.
10:37Uso yun, diba?
10:38Uso yun.
10:39Oo.
10:40And I told him right away, I never see myself in a white uniform.
10:44Oo nga naman.
10:45If you fail ko yan.
10:46Ah.
10:47So I was up front that time.
10:49Uh-huh.
10:50Pag tinitingnan ka, looking back, sabi ko, grabe, I was so brave pala that time.
10:54When I was a kid, I would fight for what I want.
10:58Uh-huh.
10:59Parang ganun yung nakikita ako ngayon.
11:01I'm the only one here in the Philippines right now.
11:03Ah.
11:04My parents are both in the States.
11:06My siblings are all in the States.
11:08They're all based abroad.
11:09Based abroad.
11:10When they decided to migrate, I was starting the business.
11:13Uh-huh.
11:14So my dad asked me, do you still want to go with us, or do you want to stay behind?
11:18Uh-huh.
11:19So he said, I'll stay behind.
11:20Even though it's lonely, even though it's another time.
11:24Sabi ko, no, I'll gamble may, ano, may, may business.
11:29Na dito ako.
11:30So, may, may relationship with my parents.
11:33I call them up everyday.
11:34Wow!
11:35Yeah, that's part of my, ano, my work.
11:37Nakaschedule yun.
11:38Nakaschedule yun.
11:39Na para bang, before workout, I would call up my parents to check on how they are.
11:44Uh-huh.
11:45Para lang, ano lang, kamustahan lang.
11:46Uh-huh.
11:47Tapos, siyempre, may, may dad is, um, bedridden.
11:51Uh-huh.
11:52My mom's taking care of my dad.
11:53Uh-huh.
11:54So, siyempre, kailangan ng mom ko nang mag-voice out ang kanyang mga sama ng loob.
11:58So, ikaw ang hingahan?
11:59Uh-huh.
12:00Okay.
12:01I'm, I'm always his ear to listen.
12:03Uh-huh.
12:04Uh-huh.
12:05Oh, okay.
12:06And my day's not complete without talking to them.
12:08Uh-huh.
12:09Oh, that's so nice, no?
12:10That you remain close to your parents.
12:11Yeah.
12:12Even, despite the distance.
12:13Yeah.
12:14Do you sometimes, do you also, um, envision having a family of your own?
12:19Yes.
12:20Uh-huh.
12:21Yes.
12:22At one point, yes.
12:23Diba?
12:24At one point, of course, I got married before.
12:26Uh-huh.
12:27And then, I mean, in any relationships, once you're together, the true character comes in.
12:33Diba?
12:34So, siyempre, it went to that path na parabang, um, when we, when I got married, talagang the next thing is to put up, uh, or create a family.
12:43Uh-huh.
12:44You know, that was on the works during that time.
12:47But, sadly, it didn't happen.
12:49Uh-huh.
12:50We went on a different path.
12:51Ah, separate ways.
12:52Diba?
12:53Separate ways, yeah.
12:54But the most important thing, Pia, we're friends.
12:55Ah, okay.
12:56So, does this mean you're, you're still open to, um, yeah, another relationship in the future or now?
13:02Yes.
13:03I don't see myself growing old alone.
13:04Okay.
13:05Diba?
13:06So, parabang for me, um, nakagawian ko na may family set up through my mom and dad, my siblings.
13:13And I want that also for myself.
13:15Oh.
13:16Right now, it's just dogs.
13:17Okay.
13:18How many dogs do you have?
13:19I have 12.
13:20Oh my gosh.
13:21Yeah, I have 12.
13:22I was expecting mga two or three.
13:23Grabe yung 12.
13:24Yun yung pamilya ko.
13:25Yun yung anak ko.
13:26Oh.
13:27They're part of my life.
13:28Oh, okay.
13:29They're part of my system wherein, at the end of a busy day, I want to come home to 12 dogs greeting me at the door.
13:36Oh cute naman.
13:37Ginagawa mo rin ba sila ng clothes?
13:39Yes.
13:40Meron din?
13:41Yes, yes.
13:42Pero wala kang line for pets.
13:43Just for your own dogs?
13:44For my own dogs.
13:45Ah.
13:46So, sila ng pinakasosyal na asa dahil sila ang meron nun.
13:49Naka-Francis Libiran yung mga dogs mo.
13:51Yeah.
13:52When it comes to your career, what were some of the early challenges that you had to face as a young, budding designer?
14:01Naka ang dami, Pia.
14:02I remember one time because I was just so happy designing.
14:07To the point wherein, I got my first client.
14:10There are like three girls, I remember it clearly.
14:13They are going to attend their prom.
14:16Ah.
14:17Saya.
14:18Saya, di ba?
14:19Excited na excited ako.
14:20Gawa naman ako.
14:21I forgot one thing.
14:22Which is?
14:23Pricing them.
14:24Ito lang po ang budget namin eh.
14:29Ah, ganun ba?
14:30Sabi ko, deka, nakalimutan ko ata yung part na yun.
14:33Na-excited ako masyado sa designing part.
14:35But, anyway, I enjoyed doing it.
14:38Even though I gave them a really low budget.
14:42Kasi yun lang ang kaya nila that thing.
14:44So, naka-break even ka naman dun sa...
14:46Along the way, yes.
14:48Lesson learned that it needs to be, it's a business.
14:52You know, it's not just creating.
14:54So, me and my business partner, RC Baltazar,
14:57who's been with me from day one when I was doing this.
15:01Talagang yun naman ang side niya of what I'm doing.
15:04I'm the creative.
15:05It's the business side.
15:06Parang I read that before you started doing gowns,
15:10you were doing tailored suits.
15:12Tama ba?
15:13That came before the gowns.
15:15Yes, yeah.
15:16Ah, okay.
15:17So talagang ano, siyempre ang ano ko nun is,
15:20kung anong susuuting ko, yun ang gagawin ko.
15:23Ah, very practical.
15:24Oo nga naman.
15:25Oo.
15:26Para they could see na already how it looks like.
15:28And I was comfortable doing that.
15:30Until, siyempre nagiging ano na siya,
15:34being creative, you're endless eh, with possibilities.
15:36So, I tried women's clothes.
15:38So, okay rin pala.
15:39Nakaka-enjoy eh.
15:41So, I remember it also that one of my neighbors,
15:45nag-ano lang siya sabi niya,
15:46Francis, do you design wedding gowns?
15:48Sabi ko, ah, not yet tried, but I can.
15:52Sabi ko, if you're willing, if you're,
15:54if you trust me enough to do it for you.
15:56Sabi niya, oo naman, Francis, I trust you.
15:58Ah.
15:59So, ginawa ko siya.
16:00Inan ko siya.
16:01So, sabi ko, grabe yung attachment ko dun sa damit na yun.
16:04Na parang ayokong ibigay pagkatapos.
16:06Ah!
16:07Yung gown?
16:08Yung gown.
16:09Kasi attach na attach ako.
16:10To the point na, on that day,
16:12nandito yung bride naglalakad.
16:14Nandito ako sa isang aisle.
16:15Sinasabayin ko siyang ganyan.
16:17So, sabi ko, wow, this is magic.
16:20You know?
16:21I make a person feel beautiful on their special day.
16:26So, nag-stuck sa utak ko yun.
16:28Sa akin, very memorable ang mga weddings eh.
16:31Ah.
16:32So, would you say that that's your favorite thing to design?
16:35Wedding gowns?
16:36Yes.
16:37Because there's no ugly bride.
16:38That's true.
16:39Oo nga, no?
16:40All brides glow.
16:41There's magic in the air, right?
16:43Pero pag gumawa ka ng gown for, let's say,
16:45an actress or a beauty queen,
16:47daming comments.
16:49Diba?
16:50It's part of it.
16:51Because they're a public figure.
16:52Ah, okay.
16:53Ano yun.
16:54Itong ginagawa namin,
16:55once you expose your work out there,
16:57be ready for the bashing.
16:58Mm-hmm.
16:59Because not everybody would like what you're doing.
17:02But art is very subjective eh.
17:04Diba?
17:05So parang you cannot be pulled down by whatever comments are made.
17:10If you know yourself, you won't be pulled down.
17:13Diba?
17:14Diba?
17:15If you know clearly and
17:16kung ang influence mo and yung parang gratitude mo comes from the outside,
17:21not from the inside,
17:22problema talaga yun.
17:24Diba?
17:25Yeah.
17:26How nice what you said.
17:27Because parang that kind of confidence can only come from somebody who's very comfortable
17:30with himself, with his work.
17:32Yeah.
17:33And with his artistry.
17:34Diba?
17:35That's true.
17:36I'm wondering what you consider your first big break.
17:39Mga red carpet events,
17:42with many balls and everything.
17:45And then,
17:46ANTM came into the picture.
17:48America's Next Top Model.
17:50Yes.
17:51So it was an international reality show.
17:53At first nga,
17:54when I got the email,
17:55what's ANTM?
17:56I research ko pa kung ano.
17:58Oh my god.
17:59Muntik na akong mahulog sa silya nung nakita akong America's Next Top Model.
18:03So sabi nila,
18:04okay,
18:05Tyra Banks wants you to design Hello Kitty inspired gowns.
18:11So I did the drawings already.
18:13Gowns inspired by Hello Kitty.
18:15I submitted it.
18:16And Tyra emailed us back saying,
18:19Now I love the designs but this is not the design direction that I want.
18:24You need to work with toasters, band-aids, toothbrushes,
18:29outside my comfort zone.
18:31That's not how I,
18:32sabi ko, ano yung costume?
18:34Oo nga.
18:35Oo nga, costume na yun.
18:36Sabi ko, dibale,
18:38even though it's hard for me to do it,
18:40I'm up for the challenge.
18:42So,
18:43I dumating yung mga balik,
18:45siguro that was like 25 balikbayang boxes
18:47from around the world
18:49for all the orders that I got from Hello Kitty items.
18:53Wow!
18:54So sabi ko,
18:55pwede na ako magtinda ng, ano,
18:56ng items na Hello Kitty that time.
18:58Oo nga.
18:59So,
19:00but I enjoyed it so much.
19:01We did lunchboxes,
19:03toothbrushes out of a design na para bang dress.
19:06Ah!
19:07So nung inan namin kay Tyra,
19:09tuwang-tuwa si Tyra.
19:10Siyempre,
19:12nakaka-proud.
19:13So,
19:14I went to LA
19:16to film that,
19:17that,
19:18the ANTM show.
19:19Siyempre,
19:20nung namin ko si Tyra,
19:21sabi ko,
19:22doon ako kinakabahan.
19:23Kasi parang,
19:24it's Tyra Banks.
19:26It's Tyra Banks.
19:27So talagang,
19:28alam yung literal na,
19:29nakangangakalang sa kanyang ganyan,
19:30tinitingnan siya.
19:31And her eyes was like piercing green,
19:35grayish,
19:36na parang nakatingin lang sa'yo.
19:37Doon ako namangha sa kanya.
19:39And then,
19:40ang bait-bait niya.
19:42Oh!
19:43You know,
19:44you felt the vibes na medyo warm siya
19:46when it comes to,
19:47so,
19:48nakakatuwang experience.
19:49Kaya nga nung,
19:50yung ANTM,
19:51opened a lot of doors for me in Hollywood.
19:54Dressing up celebrities,
19:56and stuff,
19:57being invited in the Golden Globes
19:59during that time.
20:00Kaya talagang,
20:01it was such a fast,
20:02parang up to now,
20:04doing it for 27 years now.
20:06Parang ang feeling ko,
20:08hinila.
20:09Hinigop ako.
20:10I know.
20:11But,
20:12you're still excited
20:14for the next thing
20:15that's coming your way.
20:16Can you tell us
20:17who maybe some of your favorite
20:18celebrities are?
20:20I mean,
20:21that you've dressed up
20:22both here and abroad.
20:23Um,
20:24Gwen Stefani is one.
20:25Wow, imagine.
20:26And she was the one
20:27you were manifesting.
20:28Yeah.
20:29Imagine.
20:30Oo nga.
20:31Kaya nga,
20:32I believe in the power of,
20:33if you have an intention,
20:35be very,
20:36ano,
20:37loyal to it.
20:38Mm.
20:39It will happen one day.
20:40Lahat kami dito sa kwarta.
20:42Yes, yes, di ba?
20:43Tumatango.
20:44Parang, we will do that.
20:45We will do exactly that.
20:46Because sometimes,
20:47we give up because,
20:48we feel like,
20:50um,
20:51we're very impatient.
20:52Mm-hmm.
20:53Di ba?
20:54Once you,
20:55you do that intention,
20:56be loyal to it.
20:57No matter what,
20:58the environment is,
21:00no matter how hard it is,
21:02as long as you're loyal to it,
21:04it will happen one day.
21:05At the right timing.
21:06Mm-hmm.
21:07I like that.
21:08Be loyal to your intention.
21:09Yeah.
21:10It's like,
21:11not giving up, di ba?
21:12Parang,
21:13making sure you,
21:14stick to the right path.
21:15Because,
21:16we're surrounded by people.
21:17Mm-hmm.
21:18And some people would,
21:19put onto you,
21:20what they like,
21:21or they think what is right for you.
21:23Eh,
21:24hindi ikaw yun eh.
21:25Bakit ka mapagpapadikta sa isang taong,
21:28hindi naman alam yung journey mo.
21:29Mm-hmm.
21:30Magaling lang silang mag,
21:31mag-comment,
21:32na kung anong maganda for them.
21:34Di ba?
21:35So,
21:36for me,
21:37always listen to your inner voice.
21:38Mm-hmm.
21:39You know,
21:40that inner voice is medyo genuine.
21:41Oh.
21:42Ikaw yun eh.
21:43Wow.
21:44Well, we all know,
21:45um,
21:46that you have your iconic designs,
21:47iconic dresses.
21:48Yung may sinag ng araw,
21:50tapos naging t-shirt pa yun, di ba?
21:51Because it was,
21:52o,
21:53iba pa yung flag dun sa sinag.
21:54Kasi,
21:55the reason why I,
21:56nagkaroon ng opening to design the Olympics,
21:58Barong,
21:59is through the ASEAN Games.
22:00Ah, okay.
22:01Which came first, okay.
22:02Held here,
22:03in the Philippines.
22:04Tuwang-tuwa ako that time.
22:05Mm-hmm.
22:06Pero,
22:07during that time,
22:08ang daming controversy,
22:09event around it.
22:10Oo.
22:11Diba?
22:12So,
22:13nandung ka na parang,
22:14you're proud to do it,
22:15pero ang daming nangyayari
22:16around that, ano.
22:17So,
22:18when I was designing that,
22:19sabi ko,
22:20I want our athletes to be,
22:22to represent our colors of the flag.
22:24Uh-huh.
22:25Kasi ang ating barong,
22:26when you look at it from afar,
22:27plain white.
22:28Plain white.
22:29Oo nga.
22:30Diba?
22:31So, I need,
22:32I need to add colors,
22:33to it.
22:34So, that's where I put the,
22:35the colors of our flag.
22:36Kasi, hindi naman pwede gamitin yung flag mismo,
22:37yung lidikit dyan.
22:38Oo.
22:39Diba?
22:40Ayaw akong,
22:41ma-technical.
22:42So, ang ginawa ko nilang,
22:43okay,
22:44I'll just use the colors as an inspiration.
22:45Uh-huh.
22:46And for me,
22:47the vantage point of,
22:48especially for the,
22:49Paris Olympics,
22:50na ginawa sa,
22:51sa river, right?
22:52Oo.
22:53Sabi ko,
22:54hindi makikita ng tao.
22:55Ito kung puti lang.
22:56Oo nga.
22:57Hindi makapapasin yung burda.
22:58Oo.
22:59So, sabi ko,
23:00I want the,
23:01the bright blue,
23:02and the bright red,
23:03across their chest.
23:04Uh-huh.
23:05Close to the heart.
23:06And the symbol of our flag.
23:08Para bang for me,
23:09it's like,
23:10dala nila ang bansa,
23:11when they're fighting.
23:12Oo.
23:13Ha-ha.
23:14So, I'm sure you're very used to,
23:16um, doing collaborations.
23:17You've done many,
23:18uh, collaborations.
23:20And, um,
23:21now, parang,
23:22you're even venturing out into a,
23:24non-fashion,
23:26home design,
23:27lifestyle there.
23:28Lifestyle, yeah.
23:29Ah, so these are,
23:30furniture pieces?
23:31Furniture, yes.
23:32Actual furniture pieces,
23:33hindi lang home accents.
23:34Hindi lang home accents.
23:35So sabi ko,
23:36siyampi,
23:37the architect and me lumabas.
23:38Oo.
23:39Na-apply mo siya.
23:40Na-apply ko siya.
23:41So, and it came at a time
23:42where I was so busy
23:43doing a lot of things.
23:44Uh-huh.
23:45That I told myself,
23:46I need to concentrate on this
23:47because I want this, eh.
23:49Uh-huh.
23:50It's a matter of allotting time
23:51to do it, eh.
23:52Again,
23:53kinulong ko na naman yung sarili ko
23:54sa hotel.
23:55Uh-huh.
23:56And paglabas ko,
23:57puro blueprints na.
23:58Uh-huh.
23:59Ayan, tapos,
24:00ang ginawa ko, sabi ko,
24:01okay,
24:02how can I, ano,
24:03how can I design a chair
24:04or a sofa
24:05that's very iconic?
24:06Uh-huh.
24:07Kasi a sofa is a sofa.
24:08Uh-huh.
24:09How can you put on your
24:10identity or your DNA
24:11as a designer to that?
24:12Uh-huh.
24:13So, ang ginawa ko,
24:14sabi ko,
24:15walang sofa na may embroidery.
24:17Aho nga, no?
24:18Oo.
24:19So, sabi ko,
24:20nagyan ko nga,
24:21dilagyan ko.
24:22The curtains din,
24:23sabi ko,
24:24walang curtains na may embroidery masyado.
24:25So, I put that embroidery.
24:26Nakakatawa nga
24:27when I saw the sample,
24:28sabi ko,
24:29grabe itong curtain,
24:30pwede nang barong after 10 years.
24:31Ha-ha.
24:32Makabili nga ng ganyang kortina.
24:33Hindi mo na gagamitan.
24:35You can convert it
24:36into your barong Tagalog.
24:37Oh.
24:38Wait, that's still out now?
24:39Yung like...
24:40We're launching it on January.
24:42Ah, okay.
24:43So, abangan namin.
24:44Okay.
24:45Parang ano,
24:46pag nadumihan,
24:47pwede siyang i-repurpose.
24:49Pero kasi Pia,
24:50along the way,
24:51as I get deeper in this business,
24:54there's a lot of opportunities
24:55not related to just designing clothes.
24:58It's actually becoming to be a lifestyle already,
25:01which is another side of being creative.
25:04I'm known for art deco.
25:06So, talagang kung makikita,
25:08may mga designs kumalinya.
25:10Oh.
25:11Siguro, it's the back.
25:12It's the architect in me.
25:14So, every time I design something,
25:16talagang I would...
25:18traditional pa rin ako eh.
25:19I don't use computer,
25:20I don't use ano...
25:21Ah!
25:22Not iPad, ganyan.
25:23Not iPad even.
25:24Pencil and paper.
25:25Oo.
25:26Pag nandun ako sa harap ng papel,
25:28talagang igagano ko po ng papel.
25:30I sharpen my pencil and smell it first.
25:33Wow!
25:34That mood is parang very, ano sa akin,
25:36very sacred.
25:37Because,
25:38binibigyan yung signal ng brain ko na parang,
25:40it's time to be creative.
25:42Ah!
25:43So, for me,
25:44creativity is very sacred.
25:46That sometimes I would lock myself inside a hotel room,
25:49not even my house,
25:51and just be in my own space wherein
25:54I...
25:55I dream,
25:57I imagine,
25:58and put things in paper.
26:00You said sometimes you do it in a hotel room,
26:02meaning you're gonna check in
26:03just so you have time to be creative and do your work.
26:06Kasi pag nandun ka,
26:07walang distorbo.
26:08Ah!
26:09Okay.
26:10If I'm here,
26:11kakatop sila sa aking room,
26:12or at my house, ganun din.
26:14So,
26:15I want that,
26:17wala kong nai-influence around me.
26:20I do that all the time.
26:22Being alone is something that I...
26:24I really like.
26:26As part of my,
26:27you know, creative process.
26:29I always say when I interview artists
26:31that my idea, kasi,
26:32of how artists do their work is
26:35the inspiration will strike anywhere,
26:37and then they just get down to it.
26:39But I've found, actually,
26:40from those that I've interviewed,
26:42and with our interview now,
26:43that there really is a strict regimen.
26:46There's a strict process to it.
26:47Kailangan yung make time for it.
26:49You don't just wait for inspiration to strike.
26:51That inspiration,
26:52sometimes,
26:53naka-ano yan na isang taon,
26:55wala kang nai-use.
26:56Diba?
26:57Pero, you need to work.
26:58So, you need to have that quality time for yourself.
27:01You owe it to yourself.
27:02I guess, in any field,
27:04you need to have time to do things on your own,
27:07be on your own,
27:09have dinner,
27:10or breakfast on your own.
27:12Diba?
27:13Talk to yourself.
27:14When you're doing your sketches,
27:16kailangan ba may music?
27:17Do you need white noise?
27:20Does it have to be completely silent?
27:22Actually, music hindi masyado.
27:24So, quiet lang talaga?
27:25Quiet lang talaga.
27:26No TV sa background.
27:27No TV sa background.
27:28No TV sa background.
27:29Ewa ko ba?
27:30I love designing pag-gutom.
27:32Talaga?
27:34Para ako,
27:35alam mo,
27:36mahirap ako magsulat pag-gutom.
27:37Pag-gutom ka.
27:38Ako nga,
27:39I'm the opposite.
27:40It's so weird because,
27:41if I eat,
27:42I get sluggish.
27:44Ah,
27:45you get sleepy.
27:46Oo.
27:47But,
27:48when I'm hungry,
27:49parang ewan ko ba,
27:50my mind is so concentrated on what I'm doing.
27:52Parang,
27:53tapusin ko na ito,
27:54parang makakakai.
27:55It's a surprise.
27:56Ah, okay.
27:57So, I do intermittent fasting.
27:59Umad already,
28:00I eat once a day.
28:01Oh.
28:02So,
28:03at the end of a work day,
28:04That's when you will eat?
28:05That's how I eat.
28:06With my business partner and close friends.
28:08Ah,
28:09so that's part of your,
28:10that's part of your fitness regimen.
28:12Yeah.
28:13Ah,
28:14okay.
28:15Wow.
28:16How interesting.
28:17But you need to create that,
28:18that type of,
28:19what works for you.
28:20Diba?
28:21That's the secret, Janet.
28:22That's why you need to pay attention
28:23and you need to be aware
28:25on
28:26what really works for you.
28:28Not dictated by or watched in YouTube
28:30or in social media.
28:32You need to have your own set of rules
28:33when you're doing things.
28:35Well,
28:36you mentioned that at the end of the day,
28:37you like to wind down with friends.
28:39Um,
28:40I was gonna ask how you balance like work
28:42and you know,
28:43um,
28:44everything else.
28:45Yeah.
28:46Because some people,
28:47they'll just get so engrossed in their work,
28:48they don't have time for anything else.
28:49What do you always have to make time for
28:51outside of work?
28:52Outside of work,
28:53of course,
28:54there's a lot of social events.
28:55Actually,
28:56I don't-
28:57It's like work still.
28:58Oh, work still,
28:59but I really don't like going out.
29:01Ah,
29:02are you an introvert?
29:03A introverted person.
29:04Ah, okay.
29:05To the point where,
29:06if I have-
29:07I need to be social because of my work.
29:09Uh-huh.
29:10So, my business partner would always say,
29:11you need to attend to that event
29:13because,
29:14you need to be present.
29:16But sometimes,
29:17you don't want to be with the crowd.
29:19Yeah.
29:20Of that particular party.
29:22Uh-huh.
29:23So,
29:24ang ginagawa kong strategy,
29:25okay,
29:26before going there,
29:27I'll drink.
29:28Ah,
29:29para to loosen up a bit.
29:30So that I'm just smiling.
29:31Buti yung yung effects.
29:34Yeah.
29:35I'm just smiling.
29:36I'm just smiling.
29:37So,
29:38I'm just smiling.
29:39And then I tell my business partner,
29:40let's go home.
29:41Let's go home.
29:42Uh-huh.
29:43Uh-huh.
29:44Uh-huh.
29:45Okay.
29:46Well, you know, design is-
29:47it has so many aspects,
29:48right?
29:49But like you said,
29:50your first love is really fashion.
29:51Yeah.
29:52But for you,
29:53what does fashion mean?
29:54What is fashion?
29:55Fashion, for me,
29:56is the way an individual would dress up.
29:59Each one has their own fashion.
30:01It cannot be copied.
30:02It cannot be-
30:03You need to have your own identity as a person
30:06and not being influenced by what you see on the runway.
30:09Fashion, for me,
30:10is putting things together
30:11and making it your own fashion.
30:17Well, Frances,
30:18you are truly a Filipino icon.
30:20And we're so happy to have you with us here on the show.
30:23We have this opportunity
30:25because we have an icon sitting with us.
30:26We have this thing called
30:28Confessions of an Icon.
30:29So we will ask you very quick questions.
30:31Okay.
30:32And please,
30:33whatever comes to mind,
30:35please be candid with us.
30:36All right.
30:37All right.
30:38So our first question is,
30:39what is your red carpet favorite?
30:41My red carpet favorite?
30:45Darren Criss wearing our Barong Tagalog,
30:47the Sarimanok.
30:48Do you think that one can really separate the artist from the art?
30:52Yes.
30:53It needs to have that separation.
30:56But at the same time,
30:57it needs to have an identity.
30:59Because some people,
31:01they like to say,
31:02I'm not going to patronize this artist's art
31:05because I don't believe in his ideologies
31:08or whatever like that.
31:09Yes.
31:10It needs to be separated.
31:11For me.
31:12Very clear.
31:13From Frances Libina himself.
31:14Have you ever had any bloopers?
31:16Like, I don't know,
31:17like on cam or on the red carpet?
31:20Okay.
31:21Usually, Pia,
31:22every time I go to an interview,
31:24I need to drink wine.
31:26Ah!
31:27So, where is that?
31:28I'm going to go to the bathroom.
31:29Ah, okay.
31:30Because it's like,
31:31I'm going to go to the bathroom.
31:32Just for me to feel relaxed.
31:34Okay.
31:35Yeah.
31:36And every after fashion show,
31:37I need to drink also at the backstage.
31:39Ah!
31:40To wind down?
31:41For me to walk outside.
31:42Ah, okay.
31:43Because there's a meet and greet after.
31:45Of course,
31:46when you go outside,
31:47there's a lot of people.
31:48Yes.
31:49All right.
31:50Last,
31:51the most treasured piece or design.
31:53The one you will never let go of.
31:56I guess,
31:57a lot of the highlights in my career.
32:00Like,
32:01Kylie Versace's wedding gown,
32:02in the Miss International,
32:04Miss World,
32:05Megan Young.
32:06I keep those.
32:08Ah!
32:09So that's with you.
32:10Is it displayed here?
32:11It's in the archives.
32:12Ah, okay.
32:13I put it in a,
32:14a really box,
32:16a safety box wherein it's protected.
32:19Oh.
32:20I didn't,
32:21I didn't see it.
32:22So it goes back to you after.
32:23Yeah.
32:24Wow!
32:25I never,
32:26I never knew that.
32:27I never knew that.
32:28Because my RC was always
32:29have a vision that
32:30one day,
32:31all your works will be
32:33an exhibit.
32:34So we need to be prepared for that.
32:36That's true.
32:37Frances, thank you so much.
32:38Thank you very much.
32:39I'm sure there are a lot of aspiring young designers
32:41who want to be like you,
32:42who want to try and follow the same path
32:44that you,
32:45you tracked.
32:46What's your message for young aspiring designers?
32:48Be true to your vision
32:50and be loyal to your goals in life.
32:54You know,
32:55I guess in,
32:56in this day and age,
32:58there's a lot of distractions,
32:59social media,
33:01people who thinks that they want things for you.
33:04You need to erase those
33:06and just be loyal to your,
33:07to your goals in life.
33:09Being a fashion designer
33:10and all the things that you need to do
33:12is all about that goal in your life
33:15because one day it will happen.
33:18Well, you know,
33:19this show is called Power Talks
33:21and you are in a key position of influence
33:23in the artistic world.
33:25What to you is power?
33:27What does it mean?
33:28Power means being,
33:31doing the things that you love to do.
33:34You know,
33:35doing power for me is,
33:37uh,
33:38being able to express yourself
33:40the way you want things to be done.
33:43You know?
33:44It's not dictated.
33:46Your inner voice is already power.
33:49You just have to,
33:50to translate it into action.
33:53Thank you so much, Francis.
33:55Thank you for sharing your words of wisdom
33:57and your stories with us today.
34:01Thank you so much.
34:02Thanks for watching.
34:03Don't forget to like, subscribe,
34:04and download Power Talks with P. Archangel
34:06on Spotify,
34:07Apple Podcasts,
34:08GMA Integrated News Streaming Platforms,
34:11or wherever you listen.
34:13Till the next episode.
34:29Bye.
34:30Bye.
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