By KRISTEL SATUMBAGA
Another highlight will be added to the impressive resume of volleyball star Alyssa Valdez after being named as the country’s flag-bearer in the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games happening on Friday, May 5, at the Morodok Tech Stadium in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Bambol Tolentino said Tuesday, May 2, that the 29-year-old spiker is an excellent choice to carry the country’s colors as Team Philippines will be parading with an all-female representative during the parade of athletes in the ceremony.
“Alyssa best fits our goal of an almost all-female delegation in the opening ceremony,” Tolentino said.
“She’s not only the face of Philippine volleyball, but Philippine sports as well.”
This will be the second time that Valdez will carry the country’s flag in the SEAG, with her first during the 2015 edition held in Singapore.
“It’s such an honor to be the flag bearer for this year’s SEA games. It’s a big responsibility but I’m grateful for the trust given to me once again,” said Valdez,
“I share this with all the women in sports who brought honor and glory to the country,” she added.
Organizers limited the number of athletes to only 50 per nation that would participate in the traditional parade of athletes. The PH team will be accompanied by Tolentino and chief of mission Chito Loyzaga.
Filipino parade participants will be wearing white barongs over black pants designed by fashion icon Francis Libiran, which he named his creation as “Araw.”
The Francis Libiran Araw Barong Tagalog is made out of Philippine jusi fabric and materials and features an intricate embroidery of the Philippine flag.
The hues of blue overlap a small bed of red as the sun and its rays encompass the entirety of the sash to truly represent every Filipino, showing off their liberty, peace and valor.
Libiran also designed the barong worn by Filipino athletes in the 2019 Philippine SEA Games as well as last year in Hanoi where he named his masterpiece “Agila” that had intricate embroidery with an art deco of the Philippine eagle.
