By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE 30th edition of the biennial Southeast Asian Games officially kicks off this weekend with opening ceremonies happening at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
This marks the fourth time that the Philippines will be hosting the regional sporting meet, but first since 2005.
In this year’s SEA Games, happening from Nov. 30 to Dec. 11, participants of as much as 9,000 from the 11 member nations will pit their skills in 56 sports involving 530 events.
Ten new sports are set to make their Games debut, namely E-sports, skateboarding, kurash, sambo, modern pentathlon, kickboxing, surfing, underwater hockey, jiu-jitsu and obstacle course.
The events will take place in four designated clusters — Clark, Subic, Metro Manila and “Other Areas,” which include Batangas, Cavite, La Union and Laguna.
Among the venues to be used is the P9.5-billion world-class New Clark City Sports Complex located in Capas, Tarlac, which will host the athletics and aquatic events.
The Philippines will parade 1,094 athletes who will try to give the country the overall championship it last tasted in 2005.
In the 2017 SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur, the Philippines finished sixth overall with a haul of 24 gold, 33 silver and 64 bronze medals, its worst placing in the history of the Games.
Host Malaysia topped the last staging of the Games with a medal haul of 145-92-86, followed by Thailand 72-86-88, and Vietnam 58-50-60.
With the event happening on home soil, local sports officials are hopeful that it will inspire the Filipino athletes to deliver the overall championship.
“I think we have a realistic shot at finishing at number one. The athletes are coming in prepared and determined and we like our chances,” said Philippine chef de mission William Ramirez in the lead-up to the Games.
Mr. Ramirez is also the chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission.
He was echoed by Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino, who said, “Playing here at home should work to our advantage. We can be number one again.”
OPENING CEREMONIES
Taking cue from the Filipino spirit of bayanihan (community), organizers said the opening ceremonies set for 7 p.m. at the Philippine Arena will be a collaboration of local and international talent and an exposition of Filipino culture and contemporary music and dance.
Among those involved in the production of the opening are Palanca-award winning writer Floy Quintos, National Artist for Music and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, United States-based Emmy-award winning live content creator FiveCurrents, and Filipino companies Video Sonic and Stage Craft International, Inc.
Performers are Lani Misalucha, Christian Bautista, Aicelle Santos, Jed Madela, Elmo Magalona, KZ Tandingan, Iñigo Pascual, The TNT Boys, Ana Fegi, and Robert Seña, and international rap artist Apl d Ap.
“This year’s opening ceremonies are envisioned as a showcase of the enduring aspects of Philippine traditional and contemporary culture,” said Mr. Quintos.
Adding, “The production’s aim is to show how aspects of culture reflect the energy, physical dexterity and competitive spirit of the Filipino.”
PROBLEMS ADDRESSED
Meanwhile, after being hit by criticisms over a number of issues and problems that hounded the early activities of the Games this week, the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), the main coordinating body for the event, said these have already been addressed.
Speaking at a press conference on Wednesday at the PHISGOC Sub Press Center at the World Trade Center, PHISGOC chief operating officer Ramon Suzara said issues that hounded preliminary activities this week have been resolved.
“We have tackled the issues raised by the different chefs de mission and we want to put a rest on this. What happened here was normal and we have solved them,” said Mr. Suzara.
PHISGOC was on the receiving end of strong criticism after issues on transportation, accommodation, food, accreditation and unfinished venues, among other things, were brought to the fore by athletes and officials from the competing teams.
