Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 12) – Pole vaulter EJ Obiena headed the 30-strong Philippine delegation that paraded at the opening ceremony of the 31st Southeast Asian Games on Thursday at Hanoi, Vietnam.
The 26-year-old bemedaled pole vaulter served as the country’s flag bearer in the opening of the pandemic-delayed biennial sports competition.
Obiena and the rest of the Philippine contingent marched at the packed My Dinh National Stadium wearing traditional Filipino attire barong. The other members of the delegation waved miniature sizes of the Philippine flag upon entering the venue.
Vietnam President Nguyen Xuan Phuc declared the games open.
The Philippines boasts of a 981-strong delegation for the 31st SEA Games, including 641 Filipino athletes from 38 sports. A total of 318 officials and 18 support staff back up the athletes.
The competition is originally scheduled from Nov. 21 to Dec. 2, but was postponed to this month due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in the region.
The Filipino athletes hope to defend their overall SEA Games crown in the previous edition when they amassed 149 golds, 117 silvers, and 121 bronzes in front of their countrymen for their second title. They won their first overall championship in the 23rd SEA Games in 2005, also held on home soil.
Although some sports have already started before the opening ceremony, the formal 31st SEA Games competition will run from May 12 to 23.
So far, the Philippines clinched one gold, five silvers, and seven bronzes from pencak silat, kurash, rowing, and kickboxing.
Team Philippines is here! 🇵🇭
Flag bearer Ernest John Obiena (Pole Vault) lead the Philippine contingent in the parade of nations of #SEAGames31.
Taas noo, Pilipino #parasainangbayan.🥇#Roadto31stSEAGames #LabanAtletangPinoysaHanoi #IAmSportsPositive pic.twitter.com/6kXYfUQSYp
— Philippine Sports Commission (@psc_gov) May 12, 2022
