By Arabella Balderama

The 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games officially opened last Friday, May 5, at the Morodok Techo National Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, with sporting heroines leading the Philippines and volleyball star Alyssa Valdez bearing the country’s flag.

Track and field’s legendary Kristina Knott, billiards hotshot Rubilen Amit, basketball ace Afril Bernardino, swimming standout Chloe Isleta, football genius Sarina Bolden, and golf trailblazer Rianne Malixi marched alongside Valdez, wearing their “Francis Libiran Araw Barong Tagalog”.

“I’m very overwhelmed. I know for a fact that there are a lot of empowered women that will be with me in the parade this evening,” Alyssa Valdez expressed hours before the opening ceremony.

“I’m just really inspired to share this with them also and motivated to really give pride and honor to our country this SEA Games,” added Valdez, who also bore the flag in the 2015 SEA Games held in Singapore. 

Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino said on Friday, April 28, that this was the first in SEA Games history that an all-female delegation represented Team Philippines.

The main program started with a dazzling production from Cambodian performers who showcased their country’s extraordinary traditions in agriculture—one of its most important sectors. The stadium was also flashed with images of famous landmarks of Cambodia such as the Angkor Wat, the Royal Palace, and the Silver Pagoda.

From beginning to end, Cambodia put on a spectacular show as taekwondo pride Sorn Seavmey lit the torch while being lifted mid-air to signal the official commencement of the SEA Games.

A two-minute fireworks display closed the opening ceremony and marked a fantastic night to remember as Cambodia hosts the games for the first time in 60 years. 

ICYMI

The Philippines began the medal tally by bagging double gold to jumpstart the race, courtesy of Filipina athletes—Kaila Napolis from jiu-jitsu (women’s ne-waza) and Angel Gwen Derla from kun bokator, a Cambodian martial art. 

Aside from this, the country also snagged two silvers and three bronzes for a total of seven medals earned during the pre-games, leaving the Philippines at an overall rank two spot as of May 5 in the afternoon.

Thumbnail from Rappler