The Philippine delegation marches during the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) at Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh on May 5, 2023. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN/AFP)
MANILA, Philippines—Cambodia officially opened the 32nd Southeast Asian Games with an impressive and elaborate opening ceremony at Morodok Techo Stadium on Friday night.
The host country welcomed delegates and supporters from around the world with an opening hour and thirty minutes, which highlighted Cambodia’s rich history as a country.
Bright lights, scenery, and music appear before introducing the participating countries in the region. The opening ceremony also featured musical performances by local artists and groups.
Fireworks explode over Morodok Techo National Stadium during the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) in Phnom Penh on May 5, 2023. (Photo by MOHD RASFAN/AFP)
ONE All-female swimming pool A group of 50 Filipino athletes, along with Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine SEA Games team leader Chito Loyzaga and deputy Len Escollante, paraded the 60,000-seat stadium wearing the barong “Araw” do Produced by Francis Liberan.
Alyssa Valdez, who served as the flag bearer of Team Philippines, was featured highly in the nations parade as a SEA Games and Asian Games veteran.
“There are so many other empowered women walking here with me tonight and I am truly inspired to share this. [moment] with them too,” Valdez said before the parade of nations. “I am very motivated to bring pride and honor to the country at this SEA Games.”
The all-female Philippine delegation attending the opening ceremony, led by flag bearer Alyssa Valdez, marched inside Morodok Techo Stadium during the parade of nations. 🇵🇭 #SEAGames2023 📹 Cambodia Sports Television pic.twitter.com/6ixdqmvVjh
– INQUIRER sports (@INQUIRERsports) May 5, 2023
There are 846 Filipino athletes competing at this year’s SEA Games, held just one year since the Hanoi Olympics were postponed due to the pandemic.
Even before the SEA Games officially started, the Philippines got off to a good start in second place in the medal standings behind Cambodia with a 2-2-3 gold-silver-bronze medal record.
Kaila Napolis won the country’s first gold medal at this year’s SEA Games in the jiu-jitsu event, where she beat bookmaker Jessa Khan on Thursday.
However, not all sports are nice and dandy for the Philippines, as the men’s volleyball team and the men’s soccer team bowed their heads to the podium.
The nation is looking to improve from fourth place in the overall championship at the last SEA Games.
The biennial conference, hosted for the first time by Cambodia, runs until May 15.
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