Cauldron lights for last leg of torch run before SEA Games

SEA Games torch run in Angeles, Pampanga.

SEA Games torch run in Angeles, Pampanga. Photo by Tristan Tamayo/INQUIRER.net

ANGELES CITY—The Southeast Asian Games vibe was greatly felt during the final leg of the Torch Run Saturday at Bayanihan Park here exactly a week before the biennial meet officially unfurls.

Women’s volleyball team member Majoy Baron, two-time Olympian swimmer Jasmine Alkhaldi and Fil-American artist apl.de.ap of The Black Eyed Peas led the event that saw runners from cities of Angeles and Mabalacat, Pampanga participate.

Apl.de.ap, born in Angeles, Pampanga, took part in the lighting of the cauldron here along with Angeles City mayor Carmelo Lazatin Jr. and Mabalacat City mayor Crisostomo Garbo. He will also be performing in the Games’ closing ceremony on Dec. 11 at New Clark City.

Baron and Alkhaldi also spearheaded the five-kilometer run along M.A. Roxas Highway.

The Torch Run kicked off in Davao last month before being staged in Cebu last week.

The one-year countdown was also held at Bayanihan Park last year.

The Philippines is hosting the regional show for the fourth time. Its previous staging of the Games was back in 2005 where the country finished on top of the medal standings with 290 medals, 112 of which were gold.

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