Opening parade: Pinoys dance in Paris rain

MANILA, Philippines — There’s a saying that it’s a damper when rain falls on your parade but for the Philippine delegation of 12 athletes and six officials sharing a boat with Polish and Puerto Rican counterparts in the fluvial procession kicking off the Paris Olympics on the River Seine last Friday, the hope is the drenching was a sign of good luck at the Summer Games.

POC president Mayor Bambol Tolentino said the six-kilometer ride involving some 6,000 athletes from 205 countries in 85 boats (other accounts claimed 94) was both fun and memorable. Over 300,000 spectators witnessed the parade from the Seine quays. “Although we were all soaked because of the rain, it was still a great experience witnessing the light show on the iconic Eiffel Tower,” said Tolentino. “The opening ceremony was unique because of its historical references and performances by big artists. It was a very different experience from Tokyo during the latter part of the pandemic because in the previous Olympics, they had to do it with strict regulations.”

Not all the Philippines’ 22 athletes rode the boat. Some were still in training camps near Paris while others rested in the Olympic Village with competitions in the next few days. The 12 athletes on board were Aleah Finnegan, Levi Ruivivar and Emma Malabuyo of gymnastics; hurdlers Lauren Hoffman and John Cabang; swimmers Kayla Sanchez and Jerrod Hatch; fencer Samantha Catantan and boxers Carlo Paalam, Nesthy Petecio, Hergie Bacyadan and Aira Villegas. The officials were chef de mission Gov. Jonvic Remulla, Gymnastics Association president Cynthia Carrion, PATAFA president Terry Capistrano, Aquatics president Miko Vargas, Rowing president Patrick Gregorio and ABAP secretary-general Marcus Manalo. Tolentino was also drenched with other National Olympic Committee presidents in the IOC box at riverside.

The boat riders left the Olympic Village on a bus at 4 p.m. to go to the docks and got back at 10 p.m. The Seine ride was about an hour long. For six straight hours, the rains poured. The Philippines was assigned boat No. 59. Ponchos were distributed before boarding the bus but Remulla rushed to the Olympic merchandise store to buy blue raincoats for everyone. 

When boat No. 59 rolled out, the Philippine athletes and officials took off their covers to show their Franics Libiran barong. “We wanted the world to see and appreciate our barong,” said Gregorio. “We were dancing in the rain.  We all had fun, we were proud to wave our flag. We had a good time, a once in a lifetime experience.  It rained from start to finish.  We were all soaked, Kevin Durant and Anthony Davis, too.”

Gregorio said Philippine delegation team physician Dr. George Canlas advised those who were drenched to take 1000mg of Vitamin C. “All good,” said Gregorio. “The adrenaline rush carrying the flag was our super vitamin.” Dr. Canlas said no one caught an illness. “Our only significant medical issue so far was Levi’s episode of food allergy,” said Dr. Canlas who is on his ninth Olympic visit.