The 2019 Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games) Opening Ceremonies on November 30 at the Philippine Arena has been teased as a showcase of Filipino arts and culture.
World-class Filipino talents are expected to shine on the Philippines’ stage with the finest singers such as international singing sensation Apl.de.ap of Black Eyed Peas, the TNT Boys and Asia’s Nightingale, Lani Misalucha.
WCOPA Grand Champion Jed Madela, musical theater actors Robert Sena and Aicelle Santos, Anna Fegi, and Asia’s Romantic Balladeer Christian Bautista will be joined by Inigo Pascual, KZ Tandingan, and Elmo Magalona.
Pinay beauty queens who brought crowns to the Philippines from their respective international pageants will also take part in the grand opening as the muses of the athletes from the participating Southeast Asian countries.
Here are the beauty queens who will serve as muses for the 11 participating nations:
- Karen Gallman, Miss Intercontinental 2018 – Brunei Darussalam
- Sophia Senoron, Miss Multinational 2018 – Cambodia
- Megan Young, Miss World 2013 – Indonesia
- Cynthia Thomalla, Miss Eco International 2018 – Laos
- Precious Lara Quigaman-Alcaras, Miss International 2005 – Malaysia
- Karen Ibasco, Miss Earth 2017 – Myanmar
- Jamie Herrel, Miss Earth 2014 – Singapore
- Angelia Ong, Miss Earth 2015 – Thailand
- Jannie Alipo-on, Miss Tourism International 2017 – East Timor
- Sharifa Akeel, Miss Asia Pacific International 2018 – Vietnam
- Pia Wurtzbach, Miss Universe 2015 – Philippines
FILIPINO CULTURE AND INCLUSIVITY
In his social media, playwright and director Floy Quintos shared some details about the presentation that the creative team and stage performers prepared for the Southeast Asian Games opening ceremony.
“We saw the SEA Games Opening Ceremony as a chance to showcase aspects of our culture that many modern Filipinos know little about or take for granted, buried under our own divisive neglect and lack of concern,” wrote Quintos.
Quintos, known for his works on stage and films such ‘Darna, Ang Pagbabalik’, the spectacular SEA Games show will highlight Filipino indigenous culture through the dances and music of different tribes from Luzon, Visayas,
and Mindanao.
“I felt very strongly that the show should be inclusive of our Animist, Islamic, and Pre-hispanic peoples. All three represented in a series of Warrior dances that trace the vigour, physicality, and skill that is in the DNA of every great Filipino athlete.
“Thus, the opening suite, ‘UGAT NG ATING LAKAS/ The Roots of our Strength’ is a series of ‘Power’ dances from the Bagobo, the Kalinga, the Maguindanao and the pre- hispanic Bisayans.
“Since physical power and skill isn’t always manifested in forceful and aggressive movements, why not cap the suite with that most controlled and demanding of Maranao courtly dances, the Singkil,” revealed the director.
Quintos further explained that tapestry of culture to be presented aims to “pay homage to the most marginalized and neglected of our Indigenous peoples: the Lumad of highland Mindanao, the Maranao and their great ruined city
of Marawi, the Kalinga who fought for their ancestral lands.”
“More than just a ‘cultural showcase’, I hope this first suite serves as a reminder of the enduring nobility of the marginalized and their current struggle for survival.
“There will be no special effects, no fabulous, hitherto unseen technological stage wizardry. Just good old Pinoy energy, talent, and joy. The very things we return to. The very qualities that enable us to survive.
DIGITAL INNOVATION
The 30th SEA Games Opening will be unlike other previous ceremonies for two reasons: one, for the first time it is being held indoors at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan. The last SEA Games hosted by the Philippines was in 2005 with Opening Ceremonies held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila.
Two, the torch relay that signals the start of the games will be done away from the opening ceremonies – at the New Clark City in Tarlac.
Insiders and witnesses to the show rehearsals have revealed photos and videos of a massive digital screen on stage. Speculations abound that the screen would play a pivotal role in the connecting of the SEA Games Torch run to the opening ceremonies.
With additional reports from The Good News Pilipinas Team.
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