Alas Pilipinas skipper Bryan Bagunas and tennis ace Alex Eala led 140 Philippine athletes in the SEA Games 2025 Thailand opening ceremony held at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.
Alas Pilipinas skipper Bryan Bagunas and tennis ace Alex Eala led 140 Philippine athletes in the SEA Games 2025 Thailand opening ceremony held at the Rajamangala National Stadium in Bangkok.
Only a handful of athletes were able to attend due to restrictions with the attendance of His Majesty the King King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua (Rama X).
For Alas Pilipinas Men skipper Bryan Bagunas, being chosen as flagbearer is significant for men's volleyball.
"'Di ko inexpect na maging flag bearer, maraming mas deserving kaysa sa'kin. Goosebumps, 'di ko inexpect. Marami nang nakaka-notice ng volleyball," Bagunas told One Sports.
"Habang buhay na 'tong nakatatak sa 'kin. 'Di lang para sa 'kin, thousand athletes kasama ko dito, sobrang proud ako 'yung nasa harapan na nagdadala ng bandera ng Pilipinas."
For co-flag bearer Alex Eala, who has spent most of her competition career as an individual, the SEA Games has become a special event.
"Syempre sobrang excited. First time ko maging part ng ceremony and lalo na flag bearer. Napaka-special, bihira lang ako nakaka-compete ng team event. Nagiging unique yung SEA Games for me in that sense," Eala told One Sports.
The ceremony had a theme of "We Are One - Connected By The Sea", nodding to unity and the Southeast Asian region's connection to water as part of its culture.
But occasion had a more somber tone, as the country is in a one-year period of mourning for Her Majesty Queen Sirikit The Queen Mother in October.
"It is my greatest pleasure to extend our warmest welcome to all here present - athletes, competitors, and representatives of all the countries taking part at this SEA Games," His Majesty King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua (Rama X) said in an address spoken in Thai.
"I take this occasion also to extend my sincerest wish for this SEA Games to meet with every success - as a momentous occasion embodying the friendship and sense of brotherhood in our community of nations in this region of Southeast Asia. May the Games proceed in perfect harmony, transparency, and fair play. May it attain all its noble objectives and strengthen even further the close ties of friendship between the countries of this region."
However, there were still plenty of cheers with the performance of Thai K-Pop star Kunpimook Bhuwakul, also known as BamBam of GOT7.
Pageant fans were also tickled, as Miss Supranational 2019 and Miss Universe Thailand 2023 Anntonia Porsild was chosen as the placard bearer for Team Philippines.
Thailand ended the ceremony with the theme of sustainability, featuring a "green flame" or a digital cauldron.
The games will last from December 9 to 20.
Select Philippine matches will be livestreamed on One Sports YouTube and Pilipinas Live. Games will also be aired on One Sports, One Sports+, RPTV, and the Cignal TV pop-up channels.
[ALSO READ: SCHEDULE | Team Philippines competes at SEA Games 2025 Thailand]
(With reports from Mei-lin Lozada/One Sports, Denise Tan/Cignal)
Katrina Alba is a sports journalist and producer, notably with SportsCenter Philippines before taking on her current role at One Sports.
She primarily writes about basketball and volleyball, with experience covering the SEA Games, Asian Games, and the FIBA World Cup.
Outside of work, her hobbies include running, swimming, pickleball, yoga, arnis, and krav maga.