HIGHLIGHTS: 2023 SEA Games opening ceremony in first-time host Cambodia
Filipino athletes waved the banner for the Philippines at the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games opening ceremony in Cambodia.
This officially marks the start of the 13-day event that sees athletes from 11 countries competing for gold across 37 sports.
As first-time hosts, Cambodia successfully held the 2023 edition of the SEA Games by preparing a range of spectacles for spectators worldwide.
Here are the highlights of the 32nd SEA Games opening ceremony in Phnom Penh's Morodok Techo National Stadium.
Cambodian performers narrated their country's origins through a historical and historic "interactive cultural act."
"Queen of Philippine Volleyball" Alyssa Valdez led the Filipino delegation as the country's flag bearer. Marching behind her was an all-female squad of athletes ready to run the world. Team Philippines was seen sporting Francis Libiran's "Araw" barong ensemble.
Our regional neighbors including Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar were likewise represented by their respective national delegations.
After speeches from public figures, the opening ceremony concluded with Cambodia's Sorn Seavmey (first Asian Games Gold Medalist in Taekwondo) lighting the cauldron with the official torch before a two-minute fireworks display.