Wrestler in ‘bahag’ as Phl flag bearer?

MANILA, Philippines - Wrestler Jason Balabal, the pride of Cordillera, is being groomed as the flag bearer of the Philippine Team to the Myanmar SEA Games in December.

The 25-year-old Balabal will be in Myanmar to defend his title in the 84 kg of the Greco Roman event in wrestling.

Jeff Tamayo, the chef-de-mission of the Philippine delegation, yesterday said Balabal is the perfect choice as flag bearer.

“He’s a fighter and he’s proud of his indigenous culture,” said Tamayo of the Ifugao native, also a gold medalist in the 2009 SEA Games in Laos.

Balabal is a veteran of many international competitions, and came close to representing the Philippines in the 2012 London Olympics.

But he has never served as flag bearer of the Philippine team to the SEA Games.

Tamayo said if Balabal gets the job, the latter will wear his native “Bahag,” a hand-woven piece of cloth which covers a man’s middle, in the opening ceremony.

“He will wear his Bahag while the rest of our athletes will be in their track suits,” said Tamayo of the wrestler whom he also described as “macho.”

Balabal will surely make heads turn in Myanmar.