Nation’s colors unfurl today at Flag Plaza

BUSAN — The Philippines’ presence in the Asian Games’ Athletes Village here becomes official today when the country’s flag is raised at the Flag Plaza.

More than 30 of the 47 Filipino athletes and officials who arrived here last Sunday, led by Chef de Mission Tomas Carrasco, will attend the flag-raising ceremony at 10 a.m (9 a.m. in Manila).

The Filipinos, who will wear their parade uniforms for the opening ceremony of the 14th Asian Games on Sunday, will be welcomed by Village Mayor Wang Sang-eun after the RP flag is raised and the national anthem sung.

After Carrasco gives a short reply, there will be an exchange of souvenir gifts between Mayor Wang and the Filipino delegation chief.

Carrasco has named Fil-Am boxer Christopher Camat to turn over the Philippine flag to the Organizing Committee flag-hoister.

"This is an important occasion because this gives us the opportunity to show our hosts that we are not only here to win medals but also to give true meaning to our two countries’ close ties," said Carrasco.

The rest of the 327-man RP delegation will arrive here between now and Oct. 6. The all-pro basketball team, which plays its first game against United Arab Emirates on Saturday, is flying in today.

The biggest bulk of the delegation numbering 115 is due here tomorrow. The group includes athletes from swimming, equestrian, fencing, golf, gymnastics, judo, sepak takraw, shooting, softball and weightlifting.

Another group of 76 athletes and officials will arrive on Saturday. Among those in the group are world champions Efren Reyes, Francisco Bustamante and Paeng Nepomuceno and other athletes from billiards, bowling, bodybuilding, gymnastics, shooting, soft tennis, squash, table tennis and wrestling.

Two members of the equestrian team — Mikey Cojuangco Jaworski and Michel Barrera — checked in at the Athletes’ Village Monday.

"We’ve been training here since Sept. 18," said Ms. Jaworski, who has maintained her movie-star looks and found time to compete despite being a mother of two lovely kids.

The Filipinos are slowly adjusting to local conditions, including the cold weather at night. But they’re finding it difficult getting a ride to training venues.

Carrasco has instructed his staff, led by Nestor Ilagan and Boying Santos-Viola, to make necessary arrangements with the local NOC service people.