PNA: The Philippines has made a sounding impression on the opening of the much-anticipated 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at the 50,000-seat Philippine Arena, taking the number 1 spot on trending topics on Twitter in the country and worldwide.
President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday formally opened the sporting event with spectators from 11 participating nations.
The opening showcased a performance that highlighted the beauty of a “united” Philippines and featured a strong thematic thread of inclusivity, from complex warrior dances to the many struggles of the host country’s marginalized sector.
The audience witnessed the parade of around 8,750 athletes from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Timor Leste, Singapore, and Vietnam.
The opening rites also showed the simultaneous lighting of the cauldron by Filipino boxing champions Sen. Manny Pacquiao and Nesthy Petecio at the New Clark City.
A total of 19,767 police officers and government personnel have been deployed to ensure the country’s smooth hosting of the prestigious sports event.
The 30th SEA Games will take place from November 30 to December 11 at the newly-built New Clark City Sports Hub in Capas, Tarlac; Subic, Zambales; Laguna; Batangas; Tagaytay; Imus, Cavite; and the newly-renovated Rizal Memorial Sports Complex in Metro Manila.
A total of 530 gold medals will be at stake in 56 sports in the regional sports meet.
The Philippines will have the biggest delegation in the 30th edition of SEA Games, fielding 1,115 athletes and 753 coaches and officials with a hope to land in the top three among the 11 participating nations.
Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha led the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, followed by a four-part production, complete with song and dance numbers performed by Filipino celebrities.
Filipino-American rapper Allan Pineda Lindo, popularly known as apl.de.ap, along with musical artists Christian Bautista, Aicelle Santos, Jed Madela, KZ Tandingan, Robert Seña, Ana Fegi, Iñigo Pascual, Elmo Magalona, and the TNT Boys performed a medley of songs, including the 2018 SEA Games theme song, “We Win as One.”
Broadway star Lea Salonga, the voice behind the SEA Games official theme song, missed the event due to a conflicting schedule.
Dancers from the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, as well as student performers from different colleges and universities nationwide, also entertained the crowd.
