2005 Southeast Asian Games Opening Ceremony
Encyclopedia
The 2005
Southeast Asian Games
Opening Ceremony was held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Philippines on November 27, 2005. For the first time in the history of the Southeast Asian Games, the opening ceremony was held in an open-air location. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
, led the nation in welcoming more than 7,000 athletes, officials and members of the participating countries – Brunei Darussalam
, Cambodia
, Indonesia
, Laos
, Malaysia, Myanmar
, Singapore
, Thailand
, Timor Leste
(East Timor), Vietnam
and the host country, Philippines
. The ceremony was attended by a record-breaking 200,000 spectators. Renowned director Maria Montelibano was in charge of the overall program direction, while Ryan Cayabyab and Robert Tongco were in charge of musical and dance direction, respectively. Creative director Pogs Mendoza and assistant director Bebot Pondevida designed the stage. The opening ceremony was broadcast live throughout Southeast Asia. The ceremony also highlighted Filipino talent and ingenuity; the light and sound equipment, stage components and even the fireworks were all Philippine-made.
. Following the flag were Boy Scouts of the Philippines
and Girl Scouts of the Philippines
from Sienna College and some of the host country's best athletes and SEA Games alumni, basketball star Allan Caidic
, sprinter Lydia de Vega-Mercado, boxer Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco, swimmer Akiko Thomson, sharpshooter Nathaniel "Tac" Padilla, taekwondo star Monsour del Rosario
, equestrian champion Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski
, bowler Paeng Nepomuceno and world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao
. The now defunct San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra
and the San Miguel Master Chorale
, under the baton of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab
, rendered "Sabihin Mo Ikaw Ay Pilipino" during the parade and entrance of the Philippine flag, and then the Philippine National Anthem
during the flag raising ceremony. After the national anthem, a colorful cultural dance was presented by the world-renowned Bayanihan Dance Troupe and Jocson Tribe groups.
, sprint queen Elma Muros-Posadas, badminton player Weena Lim, Mansueto Velasco
, Monsour del Rosario and Paeng Nepomuceno. Brunei Darussalam led the Parade of Nations. After the entry of the delegation of Vietnam, Ati-Atihan dancers performed on stage and a large Philippine flag was unfurled by the volunteers from Gawad Kalinga to welcome Team Philippines, who wore stylized red and blue royal blue ramie linen barongs
and salakot
(A traditional wide-brimmed hat made of indigenous fibers, which is common in the region.) designed by international designer, Eric Pineda. Throughout the parade, the Orchestra and the Chorale provided the score. Each of the participating countries were honored when each of the flag bearers waived their colors in front of the stage one by one, a first in the opening ceremonies of the games.
and the San Miguel Master Chorale performed the SEA Games Overture to welcome the athletes. Bayang Barrios led the colorful song and dance number, "Ang Alamat ng Timog Silangan" ("The Legend of the Southeast"), signifying the theme for the games, "One Heritage, One Southeast Asia." The ten-minute number featured the talents of the Bayanihan Dance Troupe, Hot Legs and various volunteer dancers from different schools around the country. The number ended with a presentation of dances from different Southeast Asian countries and the entrance of the flags of the participating nations, to the delight of the crowd and the athletes.
President Jose Cojuangco
then gave a keynote speech inspiring athletes to perform their best in their events. He added that the host country is not just aspiring to win as many medals as it could but to show its good hospitality among its guests. Despite his removal as chair of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee three months ago, Roberto Pagdanganan was given the task of introducing the guest of honor, President
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
. The President entered the stage and formally declared the games open. To signify the opening of the games, fireworks lit the sky, and the SEA Games Flag was raised. Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski
led the oath of sportsmanship and Cesar Mateo, the pledge for officiating judges. Singapore-based Filipino singer, Julia Abueva sang the theme, "We're All Just One," composed by Jose Mari Chan
and written by Rene Nieva.
, together with the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra
, played the SEA Games song, "Posible," which inspired athletes that a medal win is possible. A fireworks display was on show during the performance.
, the National Broadcasting Network
and the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation
. In Singapore, the ceremony was broadcast on Mediacorp Channel 5, in Thailand by Channel 5 and in Vietnam by VTV Channel 3. Mabuhay Satellite transmitted the ceremony to international broadcasters through the Aguila 2 satellite.
and other satellite venues opened the 23rd Southeast Asian Games days earlier with pomp and pageantry. The SEA Games welcome ceremonies served as the “appetizer” for the formal opening in Manila.
The Welcome Ceremony in Cebu were held in the Cebu City Sports Complex. During the rites, Sinulog dancers welcomed the athletes from the participating nations. During the entry of each country, various schools and colleges from Cebu performed one of the participating country's dance. Though, no one represented Timor Leste in the Parade, the flag still entered the stadium. The Cebu ceremony received raved reviews from its people but was also marred by criticism as well as funding irregularities. The opening had a sell out crowd of 20,000 people but this is due to the allegations that the local organizers heavily slashed ticket prices. The organizers were criticized for selling the SEA Games with "dirt cheapness".
In Bacolod City
, the welcome rites were held in the Panaad Stadium, the site of the Men's Football competitions. As expected, the city's Maskara Festival became the theme of the ceremony. In Subic
, the theme was "Barrio Fiesta," which featured traditional dances and songs of the Aeta tribe. Similar welcome ceremonies were also held in the Marikina Sports Complex and at the Trace Aquatic Complex in Los Baños, Laguna.
2005 Southeast Asian Games
The 23rd Southeast Asian Games were held in the Philippines from November 27 to December 5 in 2005. The games were participated by the eleven nations of Southeast Asia. This was the first time that the opening and closing ceremonies were held in a large open field, despite the fact that Manila...
Southeast Asian Games
Southeast Asian Games
The Southeast Asian Games , is a biennial multi-sport event involving participants from the current 11 countries of Southeast Asia...
Opening Ceremony was held at the Quirino Grandstand in Manila, Philippines on November 27, 2005. For the first time in the history of the Southeast Asian Games, the opening ceremony was held in an open-air location. Philippine President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
, led the nation in welcoming more than 7,000 athletes, officials and members of the participating countries – Brunei Darussalam
Brunei
Brunei , officially the State of Brunei Darussalam or the Nation of Brunei, the Abode of Peace , is a sovereign state located on the north coast of the island of Borneo, in Southeast Asia...
, Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
, Indonesia
Indonesia
Indonesia , officially the Republic of Indonesia , is a country in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising approximately 13,000 islands. It has 33 provinces with over 238 million people, and is the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia is a republic, with an...
, Laos
Laos
Laos Lao: ສາທາລະນະລັດ ປະຊາທິປະໄຕ ປະຊາຊົນລາວ Sathalanalat Paxathipatai Paxaxon Lao, officially the Lao People's Democratic Republic, is a landlocked country in Southeast Asia, bordered by Burma and China to the northwest, Vietnam to the east, Cambodia to the south and Thailand to the west...
, Malaysia, Myanmar
Myanmar
Burma , officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar , is a country in Southeast Asia. Burma is bordered by China on the northeast, Laos on the east, Thailand on the southeast, Bangladesh on the west, India on the northwest, the Bay of Bengal to the southwest, and the Andaman Sea on the south....
, Singapore
Singapore
Singapore , officially the Republic of Singapore, is a Southeast Asian city-state off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, north of the equator. An island country made up of 63 islands, it is separated from Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to its north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the...
, Thailand
Thailand
Thailand , officially the Kingdom of Thailand , formerly known as Siam , is a country located at the centre of the Indochina peninsula and Southeast Asia. It is bordered to the north by Burma and Laos, to the east by Laos and Cambodia, to the south by the Gulf of Thailand and Malaysia, and to the...
, Timor Leste
East Timor
The Democratic Republic of Timor-Leste, commonly known as East Timor , is a state in Southeast Asia. It comprises the eastern half of the island of Timor, the nearby islands of Atauro and Jaco, and Oecusse, an exclave on the northwestern side of the island, within Indonesian West Timor...
(East Timor), Vietnam
Vietnam
Vietnam – sometimes spelled Viet Nam , officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam – is the easternmost country on the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos to the northwest, Cambodia to the southwest, and the South China Sea –...
and the host country, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. The ceremony was attended by a record-breaking 200,000 spectators. Renowned director Maria Montelibano was in charge of the overall program direction, while Ryan Cayabyab and Robert Tongco were in charge of musical and dance direction, respectively. Creative director Pogs Mendoza and assistant director Bebot Pondevida designed the stage. The opening ceremony was broadcast live throughout Southeast Asia. The ceremony also highlighted Filipino talent and ingenuity; the light and sound equipment, stage components and even the fireworks were all Philippine-made.
Prelude
The Games opening started with the parade and entrance of the Philippine flag, carried by members of the Boy Scouts of the PhilippinesBoy Scouts of the Philippines
The Boy Scouts of the Philippines is the national Scout organization of the Philippines. Its mission is to imbue in the youth the love of God, country, and fellow men; to train young people to become responsible leaders; and to contribute in nation-building.The BSP was chartered under...
. Following the flag were Boy Scouts of the Philippines
Boy Scouts of the Philippines
The Boy Scouts of the Philippines is the national Scout organization of the Philippines. Its mission is to imbue in the youth the love of God, country, and fellow men; to train young people to become responsible leaders; and to contribute in nation-building.The BSP was chartered under...
and Girl Scouts of the Philippines
Girl Scouts of the Philippines
The Girl Scouts of the Philippines is the national Guiding association for girls and young women of the Philippines. Its mission is "to help girls and young women realize the ideals of womanhood and prepare themselves for their responsibilities in the home, and to the nation, and the world...
from Sienna College and some of the host country's best athletes and SEA Games alumni, basketball star Allan Caidic
Allan Caidic
Alan Vito Flores Caidic is a retired professional basketball player from the Philippines and is currently an assistant coach of the Barangay Ginebra Kings in the PBA...
, sprinter Lydia de Vega-Mercado, boxer Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco, swimmer Akiko Thomson, sharpshooter Nathaniel "Tac" Padilla, taekwondo star Monsour del Rosario
Monsour del Rosario
Manuel Monsour T. del Rosario III commonly known as Monsour del Rosario, is a Filipino taekwondo champion who has also starred in several Filipino and international action films...
, equestrian champion Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski
Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski
Mikaela María Antonia Cojuangco-Jaworski, , better known simply as Mikee Cojuangco or Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, is a Chinese Filipino equestrianne, local television host and actress from the Philippines...
, bowler Paeng Nepomuceno and world boxing champion Manny Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao
Emmanuel "Manny" Dapidran Pacquiao, PLH is a Filipino professional boxer and politician. He is the first eight-division world champion; having won six world titles, as well as the first to win the lineal championship in four different weight classes. He was named "Fighter of the Decade" for the...
. The now defunct San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra
San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra
The San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the two major performing arts groups under the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts. As a young ensemble, its wide selection of works encompassing musical genres attests to its versatility and dynamism...
and the San Miguel Master Chorale
San Miguel Master Chorale
The San Miguel Master Chorale , now non-existent, was the first professional choir in the Philippines. It was composed of an all-Filipino roster ranging from faculty members and honor graduates of reputable music conservatories, alumni of various internationally awarded choirs, noted choral...
, under the baton of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab
Ryan Cayabyab
Ryan Cayabyab is a Filipino musician and was the Executive and Artistic Director of the defunct San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts...
, rendered "Sabihin Mo Ikaw Ay Pilipino" during the parade and entrance of the Philippine flag, and then the Philippine National Anthem
Lupang Hinirang
Lupang Hinirang is the national anthem of the Philippines. Its music was composed in 1898 by Julián Felipe, with lyrics in Spanish adapted from the poem Filipinas, written by José Palma in 1899....
during the flag raising ceremony. After the national anthem, a colorful cultural dance was presented by the world-renowned Bayanihan Dance Troupe and Jocson Tribe groups.
Parade of Athletes
Leading the athletes was the SEA Games Federation Flag, carried by champion swimmer Eric BuhainEric Buhain
Joseph Eric Buhain is the chairman of the Philippines' Games and Amusement Board.Buhain is also popular among Filipinos as a champion swimmer, where he hauled several Southeast Asian Games medals to the Philippines....
, sprint queen Elma Muros-Posadas, badminton player Weena Lim, Mansueto Velasco
Mansueto Velasco
Mansueto "Onyok" Velasco, Jr. is a Filipino boxer from Bago City, Negros Occidental. He competed in the Men's 48 kg category at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and took home the silver medal, the Philippines' only medal of the games...
, Monsour del Rosario and Paeng Nepomuceno. Brunei Darussalam led the Parade of Nations. After the entry of the delegation of Vietnam, Ati-Atihan dancers performed on stage and a large Philippine flag was unfurled by the volunteers from Gawad Kalinga to welcome Team Philippines, who wore stylized red and blue royal blue ramie linen barongs
Barong Tagalog
The barong Tagalog is an embroidered formal garment of the Philippines. It is very lightweight and worn untucked , over an undershirt. In Filipino culture it is a common wedding and formal attire, mostly for men but also for women...
and salakot
Salakot
The salakot is a traditional wide-brimmed hat in the Philippines. It is usually made of either rattan or reeds. It is one of the traditional hats worn by Filipinos besides the conical Asian hat which is worn widely in East Asia and other Southeast Asian countries.An ancient tradition recounts that...
(A traditional wide-brimmed hat made of indigenous fibers, which is common in the region.) designed by international designer, Eric Pineda. Throughout the parade, the Orchestra and the Chorale provided the score. Each of the participating countries were honored when each of the flag bearers waived their colors in front of the stage one by one, a first in the opening ceremonies of the games.
| 2005 South East Asian Games Parade of Nations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nation | Flag bearer | Chief of Mission | Delegation |
| Yunus Hamid | Japar Bangkol | 194 | |
| Kohm Ratana Mony | Prum Bun Yi | 130 | |
| Hendrawan | Joko Pramono | 926 | |
| Chanthavong Panyasiri | Somphou Phongsa | 138 | |
| Nabihah Ali, Ho Ro Bin and S. Sivachandran | Low Beng Choo | 745 | |
 Myanmar |
Aung Thi Ha | Thaung Htike | 525 |
| Remy Ong | Oon Jin Teik | 593 | |
| Tavarit Majcharcheep | Thana Chaiprasit | 902 | |
| Gueda Amaral | Antonio Ximenes | 45 | |
| Nguyet Van Hung | Nguyen Hong Minh | 830 | |
| Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski Mikaela María Antonia Cojuangco-Jaworski, , better known simply as Mikee Cojuangco or Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, is a Chinese Filipino equestrianne, local television host and actress from the Philippines... |
William Ramirez | 1095 | |
Cultural program
After the parade of nations, the San Miguel Philharmonic OrchestraSan Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra
The San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the two major performing arts groups under the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts. As a young ensemble, its wide selection of works encompassing musical genres attests to its versatility and dynamism...
and the San Miguel Master Chorale performed the SEA Games Overture to welcome the athletes. Bayang Barrios led the colorful song and dance number, "Ang Alamat ng Timog Silangan" ("The Legend of the Southeast"), signifying the theme for the games, "One Heritage, One Southeast Asia." The ten-minute number featured the talents of the Bayanihan Dance Troupe, Hot Legs and various volunteer dancers from different schools around the country. The number ended with a presentation of dances from different Southeast Asian countries and the entrance of the flags of the participating nations, to the delight of the crowd and the athletes.
Speeches and the Opening of the Games
Southeast Asian Games Federation Chairman and Philippine Olympic CommitteePhilippine Olympic Committee
The Philippine Olympic Committee is the National Olympic Committee of the Philippines.-About the POC:The POC is a private, non-governmental organization composed of and serve as the mother organization of all National Sports Associations in the Philippines...
President Jose Cojuangco
Jose Cojuangco
Jose Chichioco Cojuangco was a former Representative of the 1st district of Tarlac in the Philippines. He served from 1934 to 1946. Cojuangco is one of the patriarchs of the Cojuangco clan. He was the father of former Philippines President Corazon Aquino and the grandfather of current Philippines...
then gave a keynote speech inspiring athletes to perform their best in their events. He added that the host country is not just aspiring to win as many medals as it could but to show its good hospitality among its guests. Despite his removal as chair of the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee three months ago, Roberto Pagdanganan was given the task of introducing the guest of honor, President
President of the Philippines
The President of the Philippines is the head of state and head of government of the Philippines. The president leads the executive branch of the Philippine government and is the commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of the Philippines...
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo
Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo is a Filipino politician who served as the 14th President of the Philippines from 2001 to 2010, as the 12th Vice President of the Philippines from 1998 to 2001, and is currently a member of the House of Representatives representing the 2nd District of Pampanga...
. The President entered the stage and formally declared the games open. To signify the opening of the games, fireworks lit the sky, and the SEA Games Flag was raised. Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski
Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski
Mikaela María Antonia Cojuangco-Jaworski, , better known simply as Mikee Cojuangco or Mikee Cojuangco-Jaworski, is a Chinese Filipino equestrianne, local television host and actress from the Philippines...
led the oath of sportsmanship and Cesar Mateo, the pledge for officiating judges. Singapore-based Filipino singer, Julia Abueva sang the theme, "We're All Just One," composed by Jose Mari Chan
José Mari Chan
Jose Mari Chan is a Chinese Filipino singer, songwriter and businessman in the sugar industry. He was born in Iloilo City on March 11, 1945. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from the Ateneo de Manila University in 1967...
and written by Rene Nieva.
Arrival of the flame and the lighting of the cauldron
Equestrienne Toni Leviste, riding a horse, carried the torch in front of the Rizal Monument before passing it to Olympian Maria Antoinette Rivero. The flame came all the way from Vietnam, host of the previous games, while the torch came from the last Asian Games in Busan. Rivero then crossed the Roxas Boulevard by parting the crowd all the way to the Grandstand stage. She lit a small cauldron, extinguishing the torch. Then, the flame made its way to the large cauldron, signaling the start of the games.Conclusion of the ceremony
The opening ceremony ended with a 45-minute concert. Local band RivermayaRivermaya
Rivermaya is one of the most influential, critically acclaimed and significant Filipino rock band formed in 1993. They are one of the several bands who spearheads the 90s Philippine alternative rock explosion...
, together with the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra
San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra
The San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra is one of the two major performing arts groups under the San Miguel Foundation for the Performing Arts. As a young ensemble, its wide selection of works encompassing musical genres attests to its versatility and dynamism...
, played the SEA Games song, "Posible," which inspired athletes that a medal win is possible. A fireworks display was on show during the performance.
Broadcasting
The Opening Ceremony was broadcast live and uninterrupted in the Philippines, simultaneously by the Associated Broadcasting CompanyAssociated Broadcasting Company
The Associated Broadcasting Company, Inc is a television network in the Philippines, with main broadcast facilities and transmitter located at 762 Quirino Highway, San Bartolome, Novaliches, Quezon City. The network was previously known as the , Associated Broadcasting Company remains the legal...
, the National Broadcasting Network
National Broadcasting Network
People's Television is the flagship government television network owned by the Philippine Government through People's Television Network, Inc. . Its head office, studios and transmitter are located at Broadcast Complex, Visayas Avenue, Diliman, Quezon City .-History:The country's government...
and the Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation
Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation
Intercontinental Broadcasting Corporation is a Philippine VHF television network of the Government Communications Group headed by the Press Secretary. Its studios are located at Broadcast City, Old Balara, Capitol Hills, Diliman, Quezon City and its transmitter is located at the Coca Cola plant,...
. In Singapore, the ceremony was broadcast on Mediacorp Channel 5, in Thailand by Channel 5 and in Vietnam by VTV Channel 3. Mabuhay Satellite transmitted the ceremony to international broadcasters through the Aguila 2 satellite.
Welcome ceremonies
Cebu CityCebu City
The City of Cebu is the capital city of Cebu and is the second largest city in the Philippines, the second most significant metropolitan centre in the Philippines and known as the oldest settlement established by the Spaniards in the country.The city is located on the eastern shore of Cebu and was...
and other satellite venues opened the 23rd Southeast Asian Games days earlier with pomp and pageantry. The SEA Games welcome ceremonies served as the “appetizer” for the formal opening in Manila.
The Welcome Ceremony in Cebu were held in the Cebu City Sports Complex. During the rites, Sinulog dancers welcomed the athletes from the participating nations. During the entry of each country, various schools and colleges from Cebu performed one of the participating country's dance. Though, no one represented Timor Leste in the Parade, the flag still entered the stadium. The Cebu ceremony received raved reviews from its people but was also marred by criticism as well as funding irregularities. The opening had a sell out crowd of 20,000 people but this is due to the allegations that the local organizers heavily slashed ticket prices. The organizers were criticized for selling the SEA Games with "dirt cheapness".
In Bacolod City
Bacolod City
The City of Bacolod , is a highly urbanized midsize Philippine city. It is the capital of the Negros Occidental province. Having a total of 499,497 inhabitants as of August 1, 2007, it is the most populous city in the Western Visayas Region. It is currently ranked as the 17th most populous city in...
, the welcome rites were held in the Panaad Stadium, the site of the Men's Football competitions. As expected, the city's Maskara Festival became the theme of the ceremony. In Subic
Subic Bay
Subic Bay is a bay forming part of Luzon Sea on the west coast of the island of Luzon in Zambales, Philippines, about 100 kilometers northwest of Manila Bay. Its shores were formerly the site of a major United States Navy facility named U.S...
, the theme was "Barrio Fiesta," which featured traditional dances and songs of the Aeta tribe. Similar welcome ceremonies were also held in the Marikina Sports Complex and at the Trace Aquatic Complex in Los Baños, Laguna.