BEIJING?The Philippines officially joins the Olympic family this afternoon when Filipino sports officials hold a simple and brief flag-raising ceremony inside the vast Olympic Village, home to the athletes competing in the 29th Summer Games.

The RP tri-color will be raised as the national anthem is played, with a handful of Filipino officials and athletes in attendance in the 1 p.m. rites to be presided by Village Mayor and Communist Party official Chen Zhili.

Several flags have already been raised inside the village.

Philippine Olympic Committee treasurer Julian Camacho, administrative official Moying Martelino, administrative assistant Eleanor dela Peña, archer Mark Javier, shooter Eric Ang, coaches Jennifer Chan and James Chua, wushu bets Willy Wang, Benjie Rivera, Mary Jane Estima and Marian Mariano make up the small RP group joining the flag-raising expected to last no more than 30 minutes.

?The Philippines is one of several countries holding their respective flag-raising rites tomorrow (Monday),? said Camacho, who along with Martelino and Dela Peña, attended the delegations? meeting a few days ago.

After the flag is raised, Chen, a senior official of the Communist Party, will say a few words, shake hands with the Filipino athletes and officials, then present a special gift to Team Philippines as tradition dictates.

Camacho said Team Philippines will also present a special souvenir to the Village Mayor.

The Olympiad comes off the wraps in glittering, lavish rites at 8:08 p.m. this Friday, with 10,708 athletes from a record 205 nations?the host nation alone will field 639 bets?competing in 302 events from 28 sports.

According to Martelino, the assigned units for Team Philippines in the Village are now ready for occupancy by the main group, which is checking in Tuesday afternoon after a four-hour flight via Philippine Airlines from Manila.

Chief of Mission Monico Puentevella and Olympic attaché Arturo Macapagal of the shooting association, boxer Harry Tañamor, and swimmer Miguel Molina head this bunch leaving two days ahead of another group that includes President Gloria Macagapal-Arroyo, First Gemntleman Jose Miguel ?Mike? Arroyo, boxing champion Manny Pacquiao and Philippine Sports Commission chair William Ramirez.

Ang, Javier and their coaches checked in last Thursday, joining Camacho, Martelino and Dela Peña in the Village, which boasts of a library, clinic, swimming pools, tennis courts, basketball courts, jogging tracks, shopping areas, coffee shops, fire station and restaurants.