When Team Pilipinas marches during the parade of nations in the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games on Friday, the country will pay tribute to its female athletes.
The delegation, which is dominated by women, is a first in the SEA Games opening ceremony history and a tribute to the gender equality program of the International Olympic Committee.
Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino anticipates a warm appreciation for the female-dominated contingent.
One of the most recognizable female athletes back home, Alyssa Valdez, arrived in Cambodia at dawn for the opening ceremony where she will be flag-bearer for the second time after the 2015 Singapore Games.
“It’s a privilege and I am overwhelmed by this historic opportunity,” said Valdez. The women’s volleyball team is due to arrive the following day.
The opening ceremony was staged at the Morodok Techo Stadium, a 60,000-seat structure built in the shape of a “sailing boat” with two sharp structures that reach almost 100 meters in height and are surrounded by a moat in the ancient Angkor style.
The stadium, which was built in August 2017 and completed in August 2021 at a cost of $160 million, is located on the outskirts of the Cambodian capital.
Philippine Olympic Committee President Rep. Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino and Deputy Chef de Mission Leonora Escollante joined the parade wearing elegant Francis Libiran-designed white barongs over black pants.
Swimming and diving’s Ariana Hanah Drake, Chloe Isleta, and Miranda Cristina Renner; athletics’ Aira Teodosio, Jamela de Asis, Jelly Diane Paragile, Ginnah Malapit, Abegail Manzano, Melissa Escoton, Sarah Dequinan, Kristine Knott, Evelyn Palarbica, and Natalie Uy; badminton’s Nicole Albo and Mika de Guzman; basketball’s Clare Castro, Janine Pontejos, Afril Bernardino, Khate Castillo, and Angel Surada; billiards’ Chezka Centeno and Rubilen Amit; chess’s (ouk chatrang) Janelle Frayna and Shania Mae Mendoza; cricket’s Lolita Olaguier and April Rose Saquilon; women’s football’s Sarina Bolden, Jessika Cowart, Quinley Quezada, and Inna Palacios; golf’s Rianne Malixi and Lois Kaye Go; jiu-jitsu’s Andrea Divina, Isabela Montana, and Louann Gutierrez; Kun Bokator’s Mariane Mariano and Alyssa Kylie Mallari; obstacle race’s Sandi Menchi Abahan and Marites Nocyao; pencak silat’s Angel-Ann Singh, Shara Julia Jizmundo, and Angeline Virina; and table tennis’s Rose Jean Fadol and Sendrina Andrea Balatbat will be among among those who will participate in the parade.
As Team Philippines marches with pride, the country celebrates the significant role of women in sports and hopes to inspire the next generation of female athletes to excel in their chosen fields.
