Pacquiao leads RP athletes in Luneta rites

They just can’t do it without Manny Pacquiao.

In a last-minute decision, the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee has made the RP boxing sensation part of the RP contingent for the Games’ opening ceremony this Sunday at the Quirino Grandstand.

Pacquiao, easily the most popular Filipino athlete here and abroad, will actually be the spearhead of the RP delegation, according to Lito Nadal, the executive producer of the Games’ opening and closing ceremonies.

Right behind the official Philippine placard-bearer will be Pacquiao who will march, smiling and waving to the crowd, in between two beauties — actress Angel "Darna" Locsin and newly-crowned Miss International Precious Lara Quigaman.

Like the rest of the members of the RP delegation, they will wear a Muslim-inspired Barong Tagalog, dark pants and black shoes.

Closely behind will be equestrienne Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, the official flag-bearer of the RP delegation. The 12 sports ambassadors from the Philippines, led by four-time World Cup bowling champion Paeng Nepomuceno, come next.

Then it’s First Gentleman Mike Arroyo, the chef-de-mission, followed by the country’s top sports officials led by Philippine Olympic Committee president Jose Cojuangco and Philippine Sports Commission chairman William Ramirez.

The hundreds of Filipino athletes will come in marching. There are 743 athletes representing the Philippines in the Games, but some of them won’t be around for the opening, since they’re already competing somewhere in Cebu, Bacolod or Los Baños.

Passing through the stands, the members of the RP delegation will face right to acknowledge the presence of President Arroyo and the cheers from the crowd, estimated to be close to 100,000.

Athens Olympics veteran Maria Antoinette Rivero will carry the SEA Games torch during the ceremony.

A dress rehearsal is scheduled tomorrow and on Saturday at the Quirino Grandstand of the Luneta.