BEIJING -- THE RECEPTION the Filipino marchers got from the 90,000 spectators during the opening ceremonies Friday night was not unusual.

What was shocking was how Chinese television, both the English and Mandarin channels, virtually ignored the Philippine delegation—including the country’s head of state—at the Bird’s Nest.

As the 21-strong RP delegation entered China’s iconic national stadium to almost inaudible applause, the English TV camera showed a grinning Manny Pacquiao waving the country’s tri-colors, then panned the athletes and officials behind him. All in a span of six seconds.

“Carrying the flag is (pause)… Manny Pa-kah-yoh, a boxer who (pause)… is entered in the boxing competitions,” proclaimed the TV host.

The camera quickly shifted to the next delegation from El Salvador, altogether skipping President Macapagal-Arroyo.

The Chief Executive was among the very few heads of state ensconced at the stadium’s VIP section who were not shown on TV as they cheered on the entry of their respective country’s delegation.

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THE BIG-NAME NBA players who carried their country’s flag during the opening ceremonies were Germany’s Dirk Nowitzki of the Dallas Mavericks, Argentina’s Manu Ginobili of the San Antonio Spurs, Russia’s Andrei Kirilenko of the Utah Jazz and, of course, China’s Yao Ming of the Houston Rockets.

Tennis superstar Roger Federer marched with the flag ahead of the Swiss delegation on his birthday no less. Rafael Nadal looked happy but inconspicuous in the middle of the Spanish contingent.

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BY CARRYING the flag for the Philippines at the Beijing Olympics’ opening ceremonies, WBC lightweight champion Manny Pacquiao became the only Filipino in the Summer Games to be so honored despite never representing the country as an amateur.

Pacquiao, according to representatives of the International Olympic Committee, was the only flag bearer who never joined the Olympics either as an athlete or as member of his country’s national sports organization.

He has only RP chief of mission and Bacolod Rep. Monico Puentevella and President Macapagal-Arroyo to thank for.

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The light-blue barong-clad Philippine delegation marched behind Kiribati and ahead of El Salvador during the opening rites, the 165th country in the order. The parade saw a Chinese twist in the order of teams. The countries were arranged according to the number of strokes it takes to write their names in Chinese.