Malacanang has congratulated Southeast Asian Games organizers headed by House Speaker Alan Peter Cayetano, performers, and volunteers for a job “exceedingly well done” at the opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian Games in Bocaue, Bulacan last Saturday.
Presidential spokesman Salvador Panelo said the opening ceremony was “a sight to behold,” citing that Filipinos went in droves to show support for the country’s hosting of the SEAG.
“Once again, the Filipino nation rose to the challenge and exhibited before the world the cultural genius of the Filipino and the best of Filipino talent giving world-class performances of our singers and dancers with impressive stage design and production, including the cauldron lighting ceremony, as well as the mesmerizing fireworks display,” he said.
“We felt the Filipino pride that exuded and reverberated inside the biggest coliseum as our countrymen cheered the entry to the stage of the Philippine delegation, as well as the Filipino sports icons and legends who graced the event and whose presence not only delighted the crowd but gave inspiration to all regional athletes, including 1,868 local athletes,” he added.
He noted that the “eye catching sports and musical extravaganza” drew a comment from Singapore’s “The Strait Times” that “It took just two hours to wipe away a week’s worth of bad headlines.”
According to Panelo, the opening event has also “set the bar high for prospective hosts of international sporting events.”
“For us, this ceremony should remind us that with unity, camaraderie and support, #WeWinAsOne. Cheers!” he said.
He also commended the local media and social media writes “for reporting with accuracy the success of the ceremony.”
“Such truthful and accurate reportage contributed to the pride of all Filipinos as they express their sentiments in cheering for our athletes and our country,” he said. (Genalyn Kabiling)