Volleyball star Alyssa Valdez led the all-female Philippine delegation as the team's flag bearer in the opening parade of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games in the Morodok Techo Stadium in Cambodia.
Among the athletes who joined Valdez in the parade were basketball's Jack Animam, Janine Pontejos, Mikka Cacho, and Afril Bernardino, trackster and Olympian Kristina Knott, and Olympic silver medalist and boxer Nesthy Petecio.
The delegation was wearing Francis Libiran-designed barong pieces called "Araw."
Previously, Philippine Olympic Committee president Abraham Tolentino said the all-female delegation is a tribute to women in sports.
"This is a first time—a tribute to women athletes and to the gender equality program of the International Olympic Committee,” Tolentino said.
He will be one of only two men who will join the parade besides chef de mission Chito Loyzaga.
The Philippines already has a total of seven medals (2 gold, 2 silver, 3 bronze) ahead of the opening ceremony of the regional tourney.
