HANOI—The curtains were lowered on the 31st edition of the Southeast Asian Games on Monday evening in Hanoi with Vietnam ending its second stint as host of the biennial multi-sport competition with a program that bordered from friendly to cozy.
Philippine Sports Commission commissioner Ramon Fernandez led a small contingent of Filipinos who graced the closing ceremony of the 12-day games with the hosts frolicking in their own backyard, a celebration made doubly festive and delirious with their 1-0 gold medal-clinching win over Thailand in the men’s football final on Satuday night.
With most of the Filipino delegates cuing for home at the Noi Bai International Airport, Fernandez and his deputies, Carl Sambrano (roller sports) and Pear Managuelod (muaythai) represented Team Philippines at the ceremony held at the My Dinh Stadium that was graced by Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Sports, Culture and Tourism Minister Nguyen Van Hung.
“To Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino, thank you very much for giving me the honor to head the delegation,” Fernandez said. “To my deputies Pearl Managuelod and Carl Sambrano and to everyone who contributed one way or the other, ‘daghang salamat.
“This was an enlightening and educational experience for yours truly. We fought as one and won as one! Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!” he added.
“While the opening ceremony featured mass performances and spectacular visual effects, the closing was cozy and friendly with the motto ‘Coming together to shine,” Tran Ly Ly, director of both opening and closing ceremonies, said.
“Athletes have gone through many competitions and made their talents known, so the closing ceremony was a moment for everybody to honor and praise them, and promote sportsmanship,” she added.
The ceremony was highlighted by the Southeast Asian Games Federation flag being lowered and handed over to representatives from Cambodia, which will host the 32nd edition of the games in May 2023.