HANOI. – True to his word as the last man standing, national team chef de mission Ramon Fernandez stayed behind to represent the Philippine delegation on Monday in the closing rites of the 31st Vietnam Southeast Asian Games at the My Dinh National Stadium here.
With most of national team members bound for or already at home, Fernandez was joined by his deputies Carl Sambrano and Pear Managuelod of rollersports and muay thai, respectively, during the rites presided over by Vietnam Sports, Culture and Tourism Minister Nguyen Van Hung.
Vietnam Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extinguished the Games Flame as the curtain fell on the 31st edition of the biennial sports showcase held in the Vietnamese capital and neighboring provinces.
The Southeast Asian Games Federation flag was lowered and handed to the representative of Cambodia, which will host the 32nd SEA Games in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh in May 2023.
The regional meet was supposed to be held last November but was delayed for six months due to the spike in COVID-19 cases that swept the region.
Sorely affected by the virus crisis was the build-up of the country’s campaigners, who fought an uphill but gallant battle to wind up fourth overall in the medal standings with 52 gold, 70 silver and 105 bronze medals, according to Fernandez.
As expected, Vietnam ran away with the overall honors (205-125-116), Thailand was a distant second (92-103-136) and Indonesia third (69-91-81).
“We finished fourth place among 11 brother-countries in the region. This is our best finish since 1983 (in the Singapore SEA Games when we placed second to Indonesia) in a SEA Games event outside the Philippines,” Fernandez said.
“As Chef de Mission, I am truly very proud of this feat! Just as I thank my Philippine Sports Commission family headed by Chairman William Ramirez for their all-out support,” he added. “To Philippine Olympic Committee President Abraham Tolentino, maraming salamat po for giving me the honor to head the delegation. To my deputy CDMs Pearl Managuelod and Carl Sambrano and to everyone who contributed one way or the other, daghang salamat,” Fernandez said.
“This was an enlightening and educational experience for yours truly. We fought as one and won as one! Mabuhay ang atletang Pilipino!” he exclaimed.
