Team Philippines proudly marches as Cambodia officially opens SEA Games 2023

The delegation from the Philippines parades during the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) at the 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 the delegates and supporters from around the world with an hour and thirty minutes of opening presentation, which highlighted the rich history of Cambodia as a country.

Bright lights, sceneries and musical scores came before the introduction of the participating nations in the region. The event opener also featured musical performances from different hometown artists and groups.

Fireworks explode over the 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)

An all-female pool of 50 Filipino athletes, accompanied by the Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, Philippine SEA Games Chef de Mission Chito Loyzaga and deputy Len Escollante, paraded  60,000 seater stadium clad in the their Francis Liberan-made “Araw” barong outfits.

Alyssa Valdez, who served as the Team Philippines’ flag-bearer, was introduced highly during the parade of nations as a SEA Games and Asian Games veteran.

“There are a lot of other empowered women who are walking here with me tonight and I’m just really inspired to share this [moment] with them also, ” Valdez said before the parade of nations. “I’m very motivated to also bring pride and honor to the country this SEA Games.”

The all-female Philippine delegation for the opening ceremony, led by flag bearer Alyssa Valdez, march inside the Morodok Techo Stadium during the parade of nations. 🇵🇭 #SEAGames2023 📹 Cambodia Sports TV pic.twitter.com/6ixdqmvVjh

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There 846 Filipino athletes competing in this year’s SEA Games, which is being held just a year since the pandemic-delayed Hanoi Games.

Even before the official start of the SEA Games, the Philippines got off to a good start at second place in medal rankings behind Cambodia with a 2-2-3 gold-silver-bronze medal tally.

Kaila Napolis won the country’s first gold in this year’s SEA Games in the jiu-jitsu event, where she defeated home bet Jessa Khan on Thursday.

Not every sport has been fine and dandy for the Philippines, however, as the men’s volleyball team and the men’s football team bowed out the podium race.

The country is looking to improve from its fourth place finish in the overall championship in the last SEA Games.

The biennial meet, hosted by Cambodia for the first time, runs until May 15.

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Inquirer’s special coverage of the Cambodia SEA Games 2023.