(Eagle News) – Brunei’s Prime Minister Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, the the 29th and current Sultan and Yang di-Pertuan of Brunei, attended the historic 30th Southeast Asian Games opening ceremonies at the 55,000-seater Philippine Arena on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019.
The Brunei leader was welcomed by President Rodrigo Duterte at the Philippine Arena.
They then proceeded to seat together with other officials and their delegation.
Sultan Bolkiah’s children, son Prince Abdul Mateen, and daughter Princess Azemah, are part of Brunei’s polo team competing in the SEA Games.
His nephew, Faiq Jefri Bolkiah, is also the captain of Brunei’s men’s football squad.
Before this, the two leaders had a bilateral meeting in Malacanang.
With the theme, “We Win as One,” the SEA Games opener is a production of magnificent proportions with the collaboration of the Philippine team and a foreign group — the Emmy-award winning live content creator FiveCurrents.
The production numbers of various Philippine artists, production companies, youth groups and different organizations will highlight the Filipino spirit of “Bayanihan.”
It is a performance meant to inspire, and serve as a proud moment for all Filipinos around the world once again, according to organizers.
The opening ceremonies at the Philippine Arena is the first-ever indoor opening event for SEA Games. For the first time, state-of-the-art digital technology will be used, according to Ramon “Tats” Suzara, chief operating officer of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC).
