Gilas, SEAG mascot, starts tour of duty

Starting today, the official mascot of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games will be seen everywhere to help drum up the 11-nation event, which the country is hosting Nov. 27 to Dec. 5.

Designed after the high-flying Philippine eagle, the mascot, named Gilas, made its first public appearance the other day, showing up at the airport to welcome boxer Manny Pacquiao who came in from the US.

Gilas, a Tagalog word which means mettle or the ability and determination to succeed in spite of difficult conditions, will make a special appearance in the popular noontime show A.S.A.P. today.

The coming week will be a very busy one for Gilas with more appearances in TV shows like Wowowee, Eat Bulaga and Unang Hirit. The mascot will also make a tour of strategic places in Metro Manila.

During the Games, Gilas will show up in the different sports venues and root for the Filipino athletes who will vie for the 441 gold medals at stake in the 40 different sports.

"Gilas will help create more awareness for the SEA Games — during the week leading to it and while it is going on. Gilas will be everywhere," said an events management expert who was tapped by Philsoc to lead the campaign. — Abac Cordero