A firework display to mark the opening of any sports event is a stunning way to capture everyone’s attention. But the 30th South East Asian (SEA) Games that the Philippines is hosting is going to be entirely different from the previous editions of Opening Ceremonies held in the region.
So, will there be fireworks? There will be and that’s something happening indoors. But how? Don’t skip the Opening Ceremonies for you to find out.
The 30th SEA Games is bringing out the Pinoy spirit of bayanihan or community, as celebrated artists, production companies, youth groups, and many other organizations are uniting for the SEA Games 2019 Opening Ceremonies to be held on Nov. 30, at the Philippine Arena. The grand event is set to be an exposition of Filipino culture, and contemporary music and dance, and a testament to the collaboration of great talents. Indeed, it embodies the games’ credo of “We Win As One.”
In a press conference, Opening Ceremonies Creative Director Floy Quintos said that the show will highlight traditional performative aspects of our culture with the visual elements of textile and weaving, Baybayin script, and street art.
“This year’s opening ceremonies are envisioned as a showcase of the enduring aspects of Philippine traditional and contemporary culture,” Quintos shared.
“It will be respectful and inclusive of the performance traditions that bind us to other nations and culture of the South East Asian region,” he added.
The stage will have a backdrop of a “Bamboo Forest” projected on led screen. The panel is the “largest and the most elegant” installation its creator ever did.
“It measures18 meters tall and 28 meters wide. We chose this concept because bamboo is indigenous to the country. It is a strong and flexible material, and we would like to showcase those characteristics in an artistic way,” FiveCurrents Creative Director Libby Hyland said.
SEA Games 2019 organizers have found strong allies in FiveCurrents, which has won 14 Emmy Awards and produced Olympic ceremonies such as the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and London 2012 Summer Olympics. Video Sonic and Stage Craft who are veterans in staging concerts and grand productions are also on board.
Now, for the performers, heading the all-Filipino lineup of performers are acclaimed singers Lani Misalucha, Christian Bautista, Aicelle Santos, Jed Madela, Elmo Magalona, KZ Tandingan, Iñigo Pascual, The TNT Boys, Ana Fegi, and Robert Seña, and international rap artist Apl d Ap.
Eleven local beauty titleholders headed by Universe 2015 Pia Wurtzbach and Miss World 2013 Megan Young are also participating in the ceremonies.
The country’s premier folk dance company, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, is also contributing their skills together with hundreds of students from at least 12 different schools and colleges in Metro Manila. They will be dancing in elaborately choreographed production numbers with sets and costumes made by topnotch Filipino visual artists and designers.
Joining Floy Quintos in staging the Opening Ceremonies are National Artist for Music and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, US-based, Emmy-award winning live content creator FiveCurrents, and Filipino companies Video Sonic and Stage Craft International Inc.
The 30th SEA Games Opening Ceremonies is touted to be the biggest sports-related television special in Asia this year, as it will be broadcast live and nonstop in the Philippines and several countries in the region, including China and Japan.
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GMA exec takes part in 47th International Emmy Awards
GMA First Vice President for Program Management Jose Mari R. Abacan was once again one of the roster of esteemed jurors in the Final Round of Judging for one of the categories at the 47th International Emmy Awards in New York City.
Abacan, who not only represented GMA Network, but also the Philippines, previously participated as a juror in several categories since 2007.
The International Emmy Awards, which is considered as the Oscars of the TV industry, is an annual event organized by the International Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. It is a membership-based organization comprised of leading media and entertainment figures from all sectors of television including Internet, mobile and technology. This year’s International Emmy World Television Festival took place last Nov. 23 and 24, while the black-tie ceremony was held on Nov. 25 at the Hilton New York Hotel.
Abacan is instrumental for GMA to become the pioneer in introducing Koreanovelas, Lakorn, Turkish and Indian series in the country. He also leads and oversees all program acquisition initiatives from foreign producers. Undoubtedly, with his vast expertise in TV programming, the GMA executive continues to be chosen by the Academy’s Emmy Committee as part of the panel of jurors in determining the most outstanding television programs produced around the globe.