RP’s flag bearer to be chosen from eight top national athletes

The search is still on for the athlete who will carry the Philippine flag during the opening ceremonies of the forthcoming SEA Games.

A short list with the names of eight athletes is already in the hands of sports officials led by SEA Games Task Force head Harry Angping. But they have yet to decide on the official flag bearer.

Angping said the task force is making sure that it comes up with the perfect choice of the athlete who will be given the distinct honor of bearing the RP flag in the Nov. 27 opener at the Luneta.

Others who had played the role for the Philippines in the SEA Games, Asian Games or the Olympics are bowler Paeng Nepomuceno and billiards player Efren "Bata" Reyes.

In the present list are boxers Harry Tanamor, Violito Payla and Michelle Martinez, track star Maristella Torres, bowler CJ Suarez, wushu artists Arvin Ting and Rene Catalan, and softball pitcher Mark Rey Ramirez.

Angping said they are still open to suggestions since the flag bearer should be someone who may not be too popular but someone who exudes and exemplifies the true characteristics of a Filipino athlete.

Angping said in case basketball is included in the calendar of events for the SEA Games which ends on Dec. 5, it’s possible that the flag bearer may come from the men’s team.

"It’s still anybody’s race. As I’ve said, although there’s a list, we are still open to anyone or any suggestion. We’re looking for the athlete whom we can describe as Pinoy na Pinoy," he said.

As usual, the Filipino athletes numbering close to 800 will be in their best parade uniforms — the Barong Tagalog. In charge of the parade uniforms is topnotch designer Eric Pineda. - Abac Cordero