30th SEA Games Opening Ceremonies set for Saturday

Expect world-class talent and technology for the Opening Ceremonies for the 30th Southeast Asian Games.

Those attending the festivities at the Philippine Arena will be treated to a showcase of some of the best Filipino talent, but those who can't be at the cavernous stadium can watch LIVE on ABS-CBN at 7pm on Saturday, November 30.

For the Opening Ceremonies, the host Philippines has tapped the award-winning Five Currents consortium to produce the event.

The Los Angeles-based live content creators have had experience taking on such events, from the Olympics Opening Ceremonies in both London and Sochi, as well as the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and the 2015 European Games in Baku. Their events have reached out to a total of twenty billion people worldwide, while also netting numerous industry accolades, including 14 Emmys out of 29 nominations, as well as sixty Telly Awards.

In collaboration with select Filipino talents on-stage and behind the scenes, Five Currents handled the creative and technical aspects of this particular production, including the design execution and the fabrication of all key elements and visuals that would make the SEA Games Opening Ceremonies a unique digital masterpiece.

Aside from the usual parade of athletes and the lighting of the cauldron, notable Pinoy talents will also make their presence felt inside the Philippine Arena.

Lani Misalucha will lead the singing of the Philippine National Anthem, followed by a four-part production that includes song and dance numbers to be performed by celebrated Filipino artists.

There will also be a dance production choreographed by Huling El Bimbo director Dexter Santos and veteran dancer Cherry Villanueva, featuring dancers from the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group as well as student performers from various colleges and universities.

Performers like Christian Bautista, Aicelle Santos, Jed Madela, Elmo Magalona, KZ Tandingan, Inigo Pascual, the TNT Boys, Ana Fegi, Robert Sena, and Apl.de.ap. are to render a medley of songs, including the 2019 SEA Games theme: "We Win as One." Helping with the production are musical arrangers Nikko Rivera and Jimmy Antiporda, as well as music producer Eloisa Matias, while taking the lead behind the scenes are veteran playwright Floy Quintos and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.