BY NICK GIONGCO
A CEASEFIRE takes effect the whole of Saturday when host Philippines draws the shades down to the 30th Southeast Asian Games with a spellbinding showcase of Filipino culture at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
While hostilities have commenced the last six days, a 24-hour truce was enforced by the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (POC) to allow the athletes and officials from 11 nations to take a break from the usual grind and soak up the electric atmosphere.
Working around the battlecry “We Win As One”, the Phisgoc will be unveiling a show like no other, something that even the most discriminating will find hard to resist.
Some of the best entertainers have been tapped to make the night unforgettable.
Lani Misalucha, KZ Tandigan and Apl.de.ap, the Grammy-award winning rapper, are going to provide a modern angle during the presentation that will highlight the country’s storied past via a parade featuring 11 beauty queens.
Renowned composer Ryan Cayabyab and playwright Floy Quintos are going to work behind the scenes with the help of US-based company Fivecurrents.
Various traditional folk dances involving participants wearing ornate costumes and rococo accessories also highlight the lavish opening ceremonies that havr drawn flak owing to its supposed extravagance.
The government earmarked a whopping P6 billion to stage the biennial sportsfest with the P55-million cauldron at the New Clark City (NCC) in Capas, Tarlac, about 85 kilometers from the Philippine Arena, likewise getting its share of the spotlight.
The Phisgoc has remained tight-lipped about how the cauldron will be lit up by boxing legend Manny Pacquiao, who had actually fulfilled his role by having its set ablaze last Sunday during a dry run.
A video of Pacquiao’s handiwork at the NCC will be spliced and inserted onto the program.
As everyone gets a breather, the Philippine Sports Commission (PSC), whose chairman Butch Ramirez, also serves as the Philippines’ chief of mission, called on all Filipinos to rally behind the country’s hosting and cheer for the Filipino athletes.
“Mga kababayan, magkasia tayo para sa ating bansa, wala na tayong ibang bayan kundi Pilipinas lang,” said Ramirez on the eve of the formal opening. “Can we focus and get united for these 11 days to support our Team Philippines in the biggest fight of their lives, for honor and glory of our dear motherland.”
“Let us all enjoy this experience, for when will we ever have the Games visit us again? It is our chance to see high-level competition played on our backyard. So I enjoin all of you, get your flaglets waiving and let us troop to the venues to show our support to our teams,” added Ramirez.
The 2019 edition of the SEAG will have a total of 56 sports and 530 gold medal up for grabs from Nov. 30 until Dec. 11.
The Philippines, as host, is heavily favored to win the overall crown but remains wary of undisputed regional powerhouse Thailand.
Aside from Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam, are the biggest threats to the Philippines bid to dominate the leaderboard.
The Philippines is sending 1,100 athletes and appears poised to go on a rampage while Thailand and the other traditional powers are sending a bit less.
In the 2017 SEAG in Kuala Lumpur, the Philippines placed sixth overall with a dismal medal tally of 23-34-63 after competing in close to 500 events out of 38 sports.
The last time the Philippines won the overall championship was in 2005 when it was the host.
