Phnom Penh, Cambodia, May 3, 2023: The Philippine Olympic Committee will celebrate the success of their female athletes in a truly remarkable way at the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in Cambodia on Friday, May 5.
With the 11 National Olympic Committees allowed to select only 50 athletes and officials for the parade of nations, the POC has gone fully female and chosen a delegation of 50 women.
“This is our way of paying homage to the achievements of our female athletes and acknowledging their contribution to sport in the Philippines over many years,” said Karen Tanchanco-Caballero, Deputy Secretary General of the POC and Chair of the POC Gender Equity Committee.
“We feel this is the best way to celebrate our female athletes and believe this will be the first time for something like this to happen in the history of the SEA Games, maybe even beyond that in the Olympic Movement.”
The gesture was the initiative of the POC President, Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino, who thought he would build on the success of International Women’s Month in March by acknowledging the power of female athletes.
“Our first Olympic champion was female and our four gold medals at the last Asian Games in Indonesia in 2018 were all won by female athletes,” he said.
“Our female athletes have made a big contribution to the success of our sports in recent years and what better way to highlight and acknowledge this by giving them the chance to represent the Philippines in the opening ceremony parade.”
The Philippines’ four gold medals at the 2018 Asian Games were won by Hidilyn Diaz (weightlifting), Margielyn Didal (skateboarding), Yuka Saso (golf) and the women’s golf team led by Saso. Diaz would go on to make history by winning the Philippines’ first Olympic gold medal at Tokyo 2020.
Philippine women’s volleyball team captain Alyssa Valdez will serve as the country’s flag bearer for the second time, following the 2015 SEA Games in Singapore.
“It’s such an honour to be the flag bearer for this year’s SEA Games. It’s a big responsibility, but I’m grateful for the trust given to me once again,” Valdez was quoted by Rappler.
“I first had the opportunity to carry our Philippine flag in 2015 in Singapore and it was an unforgettable experience. I share this with all the women in sports who brought honour and glory to the country,” she said.
Tolentino and Chef de Mission Chito Loyzaga are the only men who will join the parade.