Cebu opens SEAG in grand rites

A myriad of colors from a fireworks display lit up Cebu’s skyline as the Queen City of the South formally welcomed the delegates and athletes of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games in a spectacular opening show last night.

Some 20,000 spectators from all walks of life waving mini Philippine flags packed the Cebu City Sports Center to the rafters to witness one of the most memorable and colorful ceremonies in the history of Cebu.

"It’s beyond my wildest expectations. I’ve been to several opening ceremonies here and abroad and no one can match what we’ve done tonight," said Cebu SEA Games Organizing Committee (CebuSoc) chairman Jonathan Guardo on the tremendous success of the program they painstakingly worked out for the past three months.

"This is a very grand spectacle. Something we (the Cebuanos) should be proud of," said Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña in his very brief opening remarks.

First Gentleman Jose Miguel "Mike" Arroyo topped the list of dignitaries who graced the event. Joining him at the VIP section were Bacolod City Rep. Monico Puentevella and some Cebuano Cabinet members led by Department of Tourism secretary Joseph Ace Durano, GSIS president Winston Garcia, and Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) undersecretary Frank Benedicto.

Cebu’s top officials came in droves led by Governor Gwen Garcia, Cebu 6th District Rep. Nerissa Soon-Ruiz, Cebu City Vice Mayor Michael Rama, and Mayors Thadeo Ouano of Mandaue, and Ramon "Nito" Durano III of Danao.

"The outcome of the opening program is so overwhelming that it made us, Cebuanos, truly proud," said Garcia. "I call on our athletes to beat the odds. Let us achieve unity through sports. My best wishes for a successful SEA Games and congratulations to all," said Cebu’s first lady governor.

Also present were Philippine Sports Commissioners Leon Montemayor, Ambrosio Luna, and Ritchie Garcia.

What rocked the mammoth crowd though was the arrival of Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao, who was game enough to shake hands and wave to his adoring fans who chanted "Pacman, Pacman" while he struggled his way to the VIP area.

"Good luck to our athletes, I hope they win and bring honor to the country," said Pacquaio in Filipino.

The two-hour show started off with the heartwarming rendition of the Peace Philharmonic Philippines of some immortal Cebuanos songs that include "Usahay", "Matud Nila", and "Si Filemon, Si Filemon."

Dance troupe members of the different universities in Cebu wore the national costumes of the 11 participating countries while dancing to the beat of Sinulog during the traditional parade of athletes.

Led by host Philippines, the rest of the competing nations in this biennial sports conclave are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, Timor Leste, Singapore, and Vietnam.

Some of Cebu’s island festivals — the Mantawi of Mandaue City, the Sinnangiyaw of Dumanjug, Palawod of Bantayan, Karansa of Danao City — were also featured to the delight of the crowd and the foreign delegates .

"The opening was very good and very nice. You’re making Manila so worried," said Malaysia Chief de Mission Beng Chou.