MANILA — Tennis ace Alex Eala and volleyball star Bryan Bagunas have been chosen as the Philippines’ flag-bearers for the opening ceremony of the 33rd Southeast Asian Games in Thailand next week.
Philippine Olympic Committee (POC) President Abraham “Bambol” Tolentino announced their selection on Tuesday, saying both athletes embody excellence, global impact, and inspiration.
“Popularity aside, Alex and Bryan have made impacts in the global sports community, and that makes them the best choice to carry the flag in the SEA Games,” Tolentino said.
The 2025 SEA Games will officially open on Tuesday, December 9, at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.
Eala is fresh off a breakthrough WTA season, finishing the year as world No. 50, the highest ranking of her young career.
Bagunas, meanwhile, captained Alas Pilipinas in their historic run during the FIVB World Championship held in Manila last September.
Tolentino emphasized that the selection process prioritizes athletes who inspire their fellow competitors and the Filipino youth.
“It’s about the inspirational appeal—the motivation and hard work that reap accomplishments—that make an athlete, or athletes, the best choice for the chore,” he explained.
Tolentino also disclosed that the Philippines has been allotted a 300-member delegation for the traditional parade of nations, though this may be trimmed to 200 due to Thailand’s year-long mourning for Queen Sirikit and the Songkhla disaster.
The Philippines is fielding nearly 1,700 athletes across 574 events in 50 sports. Competitions will be held in two main hubs—Bangkok and Chonburi—after Songkhla was removed from the hosting plan due to severe flooding.
