The opening ceremony for the 33rd Southeast Asian Games ignited the spirit of competition for its participating nations.
Let the games begin.
Built around the central theme “We Are One”, hosts Thailand formally opened the 33rd Southeast Asian Games through a fiery opening ceremony held at the Rajmangala Stadium on Tuesday (Philippine time)
For about an hour and a half, the Rajamangala Stadium turned into a grand stage at the heart of Bangkok, with bright lights and performances from local acts welcoming nearly 13,000 athletes representing the 11 nations.
A drone show that featured the SEA Games emblem, along with a showcase of key numbers kicked off the festivities, which was followed by a performance of the official theme song, “1%” by local artist Violet Wautier. As expected, part of this curtain raiser was paying homage to the SEA Games’ origins in Thailand, which was first held in 1959 as the Southeast Asian Peninsular Games in Bangkok.
The second half of the show featured more electrifying performances, highlighted by like jetski stunts and underwater ballet routines that centered on the “We Are One” theme, to pyrotechnic acts and light shows that sought to celebrate Thailand’s sporting culture, and the competitive nature of the SEA Games.
In a showcase of star power, it was Thai K-Pop star BamBam who stole the show at this point of the festivities, performing his hit single Wheels Up, and joining T-Pop stars as a prelude to the more traditional parts of the show.
Team Philippines at the Parade of Nations
More than the stunning performances that lit up the night sky, Tuesday’s highlight proved to be the routine Parade of Athletes, including a Team Philippines delegation led by flagbearers in Alas Pilipinas captain Bryan Bagunas and tennis sensation Alex Eala — two ace athletes who have proven the world-class potential of Philippine sports.
Team Philippines proudly showcased Pinoy pride around the Rajamangala Stadium, wearing the “Laro ng Lahi” barongs by Avel Bacudio that pays tribute to traditional Filipino games such as Luksong Tink, Tumbang Preso, and Patintero.
Loud cheers met Team Philippines at the venue, as Eala proudly carried the country’s flag with Bagunas by her side. Also part of the 140-strong delegation at the parade were Bagunas’ teammates in Alas Pilipinas Men, along with the women’s team led by captain-setter Jia De Guzman, and Olympic boxer Eumir Marcial.
For the Philippines, it wasn’t just another ceremonial entry, as it served as the beginning of another SEA Games campaign featuring a delegation filled with star athletes seeking redemption, a long-awaited breakthrough, or even a storybook ending to a historic year.
Aside from those at the Parade of Athletes, also headlining the country’s record-high delegation are the likes of EJ Obiena and Hidilyn Diaz, two Olympians that have proven to be dominant on the SEA Games stage. Young stars, such as a fit-again Sam Catantan, Paris Olympian Kayla Sanchez, and national teams such as SIBOL in Mobile Legends and a ragtag Gilas Pilipinas bunch also look to make waves in Bangkok.
In full swing
It was a torch relay featuring past and present Thai sporting icons that capped off Tuesday’s opening ceremonies, formally opening the games through a modern take on the traditional lighting of the grand cauldron.
With the games now in full swing, all eyes are now on how Team Philippines will fare in the medal race, given that star power remains adequate within the delegation. Outside of the Filipino bets, can host Thailand finally break through after finishing as bridesmaids to Vietnam?
That, along with many more storylines will be answered starting today, until December 20 in Bangkok.
Banner images from the Philippine Olympic Committee.