BCDA Collective | Issue 3 2018

NEWS
Render from: Budji + Royal
gold. Some may call us the underdogs but as
Filipinos, we have always been up to a challenge.
We love it. We relish it. The resilience to overcome
adversaries has become the hallmark not just
of Filipino athletes but of every Filipino,” says
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President
Ricky Vargas.
Vargas recalls that in 2005, when the Philippines
last hosted the SEA Games, it won 113 golds, 84
silvers, and 94 bronze medals.
For next year’s SEA Games, there are 56 sports
to be played by nearly 10,000 athletes from
11 countries. The 11 countries are Brunei
Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos,
Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore,
Thailand, Timor-Leste, and Vietnam.
Clark will serve as the main hub of the 30th SEA
Games in 2019, with the construction of worldclass
sports facilities in the New Clark City Sports
Village, which includes the Aquatics Center, the
Athletics Stadium, and the Athletes’ Village.
“With these facilities and more in the works, it will
only be a matter of time that we are once again at
the top of the medal tally,” says Philippine Sports
Commission (PSC) Chairman William “Butch”
Ramirez.
“To our national athletes and to those aspiring
to represent our country, believe in yourselves
because we believe in you. Together, we can make
great things happen,” he says.
PHISGOC Chairman Cayetano says the SEA Games
is an opportunity for the region to be inspired by
athletes and to “stand together and do great things.”
“As we bring our athletes to the spotlight, we see in
them the spirit of a true ambassador. We see in them
what is best. We see in them commitment, passion,
sacrifice, and the spirit of one who does not look
at what’s possible or not. The athlete is there to get
things done.”
The opening ceremony will be held at the Philippine
Arena on November 30, 2019 at 7:00 p.m.
10 COLLECTIVE