Duterte formally opens 30th SEA Games

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte declares the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games open during the opening ceremony at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan on November 30, 2019. REY BANIQUET/PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO

BOCAUE, Bulacan — President Rodrigo Duterte on Saturday led the much-anticipated opening of the 30th edition of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games at the 50,000-seat Philippine Arena here.

The Philippine Arena was packed with spectators from 11 participating nations.

The formal 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 Emmanuel Pacquiao and Nesthy Petecio at the New Clark City.

The Philippines hosted this year’s SEA Games for the fourth time. It also serves as host for the 1981,1991, and 2005 editions of the biennial sports event.

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.

The President has sought the granting of additional incentives to Filipino athletes who will win medals in the 30th SEA Games on top of the cash bonanza provided by law, in a bid to encourage them to compete well.

House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, chair of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee, announced on Friday the free public viewing for the majority of the SEA Games sports events, except basketball, volleyball, and football.

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.