CLARKFIELD, Pampanga – Pampanga’s world-renowned musicians will provide topnotch entertainment when the 30th Southeast Asian Games comes to a close Wednesday at the New Clark City Athletics Stadium in Capas, Tarlac.
Arnel Pineda, the lead singer of Journey, will sing the Philippine national anthem during the closing rites set to begin at 5 p.m. while the last act will be starred by another Cabalen, Ap.de.ap, Allan Pineda Lindo in real life.
A drone show will kick-start the program proper before the traditional parade of athletes and team officials.
The Philippine flag will be carried by Roger Casugay, the Filipino surfing champion who saved the life of Indonesian rival Arip Nuirhidyat during competition last week in La Union. Casugay downplayed it, saying he simply calmed the Indonesian down.
Philippine Sports Commission chairman and Chief of Mission Butch Ramirez spoke highly of Casugay.
“The Games are not only about medals. It is about character, resilience, love for one another and shoring up the faith of the person next to you,” said Ramirez, who named Casugay as the country’s flag-carrier.
A tribute to volunteers and the entire SEAG workforce will be done while a music video of the song by Sarah Geronimo is being played.
Pineda will again take to the stage and do a few numbers alongside KO Jones Band before Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee chairman and House Speaker Allan Peter Cayetano delivers a speech.
A message from Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) president and Tagaytay congressman Bambol Tolentino will be the runup to the official declaration of the closing of the 30th SEAG.
The SEAG Federation Flag Retreat will commence the handover ceremony that will see Vietnam taking over as capital city Hanoi hosts the 2021 Games.
The cauldron, which has been burning the last 12 days, will then be extinguished as the official SEAG flag is handed over to Vietnam, whose national anthem will be played before the next host country makes a presentation.
A fireworks display will light up the sky and shortly after, Apl.de.ap and the Black Eyed Peas will hold a concert.
