Every Pinoy felt the excitement when the Philippines was announced as the host country for the 2019 Southeast Asian Games. But that excitement was slowly replaced by frustration as the Games draw near. From the seemingly overpriced cauldron to unfinished venues, here are some of the SEA Games problems popping up during our hosting of the event.
SEA Games problems no. 3: The overpriced SEA Games Cauldron
The issue surrounding the SEA Games Cauldron first came to light in November after Senator Franklin Drilon questioned its 50 million peso price tag. Drilon argued that it seemed a bit too much to spend the amount on a “kaldero” (pot) that will be used for a single event. He noted that the same can be used for better purposes, such as building 50 classrooms.
Officials defended the cost, stating that a large chunk of it covers the construction of the tower and the professional fees paid to architect Francisco Manosa for the design. In a breakdown provided by the Philippine SEA Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC), the actual construction of the cauldron costs 45 million pesos. Meanwhile, Manosa reportedly got paid 4.4 million pesos. PHISGOC Chairman Allan Peter Cayetano also argued that the cost is even cheaper than what other host countries spent.
The controversy burns on
However, several netizens questioned whether the fees paid for the design were worth it. Netizen Jozy Acosta-Nisperos noted in a Facebook post that Manosa’s supposed design looked too similar to the design he did for the proposed Centennial Tower in 1996.
While the proposed tower was never constructed, Nisperos said the design was already paid for by the government. As such, it already owns it and can reuse it for other projects. She argued that there would be no need to pay Manosa anew for reusing the design if it was the case.
Columnist Boom Buencamino supported Nizperos’ claims, noting that the only visual design change was the removal of the topmost needle. Buencamino also said that the materials used were changed from the original design.
SEA Games problems no. 2: Unfinished venues
Another major issue that sprouted just weeks before the SEA Games opens is the unfinished venues. Images and videos shared on social media showed construction materials and debris still littering venues like the Rizal Memorial Sports Complex days before the opening.
One of the infamous images was the unfinished media center at the Rizal Stadium.
Netizens compared the hall’s bare look to the abandoned warehouses used by villains in Ang Probinsyano and other Pinoy action shows.
Foreign social media users and news outlets also took notice of the issue.
It should be noted that other venues for the events have been finished without issue. However, the unfinished venues are supposed to serve as the centerpieces of the games. Thus, they attract a large amount of attention.
SEA Games problems no. 3: Poor handling of athletes
The slew of SEA Games problems grew bigger once the athlete delegations from other countries started arriving. Timor Leste was the first to air complaints after its football team had to wait for several hours in the airport before being picked up by their bus service:
The team added that they were taken to the wrong hotel, further causing checking delays. Myanmar expressed similar complaints after their arrival. The team added that the bus that picked them up was cramped.
Meanwhile, the Cambodian and Thai teams found themselves dealing with insufficient accommodations. The Thais said they had to fit 4-5 people in rooms that accommodate only 2. On the other hand, members of the Cambodian team had to sleep in one of the hotel’s conference halls.
Not enough food
Even the Philippine team was not spared from the various SEA Games problems. Members of the Malditas women’s football team reported that they were served only rice, eggs, and kikiam (local meat cake) for breakfast. Malditas coach Let Dimzon said that, aside from the lack of variety, the food served did not fit the nutritional requirements of the athletes. The word kikiam trended on social media as netizens poked fun at it as a symptom of the various SEA Games problems.
However, Singapore did not find the food issue a laughing matter. The country’s Chef De Mission Juliana Seow wrote a letter to PHISGOC Chief Operating Officer Ramon Suzara on Nov. 24 requesting immediate action on the issues. The Singaporeans said there was a lack of halal (permissible) food for their Muslim athletes. This despite the request to serve such foods already being made months before the start of the games.
Will the SEA Games problems go away?:
To their credit, the organizers have already started trying to resolve the various SEA Games problems. However, the issues with the overpriced SEA Games cauldron and problematic preparations for the games is something that will be talked about in the sports community for a long time. Here’s crossing our fingers that no more mishaps will show up when the event finally opens.