MANILA: Beauty queens, beautifully choreographed performances and Black Eyed Peas' apl.de.ap took centre stage as the 30th SEA Games were declared open on Saturday (Nov 30).
Attended by Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte and Bruneis Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the opening ceremony was packed with performances that beautifully highlighted Filipino culture.
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This is the first time in Games history that the opening ceremony has been held indoors, at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan.
The opening ceremony of the 2019 SEA Games at the Philippine Arena. (Photo: Reuters)
While complaints about transport, accommodation and food have been reported in the lead-up to the multi-sport event, the song and dance extravaganza went off without a hitch.
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After a rendition of the Philippines national anthem by singer Lani Misalucha, the show kicked off with performers, dressed in the bright colours of the Sarimanok, a legendary bird of the Maranao people from Mindanao, taking to the stage.
This was followed by a series of traditional Filipino dances from different regions in the Philippines, giving a taste of the rich cultural heritage of the country.
Performers light up the stage at the opening ceremony of the SEA Games at the Philippine Arena in Bocaue, Bulacan, north of Manila on Nov 30, 2019. (Photo: AP)
Next up – the athletes' parade with the various contingents marching into the arena, led by local beauty queens.
Team Singapores contingent was headed by flag bearer Samuel Kang, who won a gold medal for Singapore in the mens jumbo doubles at the last edition of the Games in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Kang will be competing in three events – men's singles and team, and mixed team.
Marching in with Kang were sportsmen and women from the Ice Hockey, Squash and Sepak Takraw teams as well as a support team, all clad in signature red blazers and khaki chinos.
Athletes and officials from Singapore march during the opening ceremony of the SEA Games on Nov 30, 2019. (Photo: AP)
Squash athlete Samuel Kang holds the Singapore flag during the opening ceremony of the 30th SEA Games at the Philippine Arena on Nov 30, 2019. (Photo: AP/Aaron Favila)
"The next eleven days will be eventful, historic and full of exciting sports action," said Philippines Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino in a speech.
"After 14 years, we're again hosting the SEA Games, the long wait is over. With the unwavering support of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, we're now opening the best and the biggest SEA Games in history."
