ARE we about to become an example as to how not to organize the Southeast Asian Games? The event has not yet started but it is already marred with controversy.
It all started with the 30th SEA Games logo that was panned by many for its design. Compared to the SEA Games 2005 logo designed by freelance graphic designer Joel Manalastas, this was a downgrade.
Just a few weeks before the staging of the international sporting event, more controversies started to surface.
First there was the P50-million cauldron, which was designed by National Artist for Architecture, the late Francisco “Bobby” Mañosa. In a Manila Times report published on November 19, 2019, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon described the cauldron as “too extravagant and strange.”
Meanwhile, Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (Phisgoc) chair Alan Peter Cayetano defended the cauldron saying that it was cheaper than Singapore's and it is a work of art.
Then there are the welcome signs for the foreign delegates. Instead of large, colorful, and welcoming tarps, we see poorly designed and dead welcome posters on roll-up standees. What really went viral were bond papers with text welcoming delegates. Lifeless welcome posters from a country that prides itself for being festive.
Logistics problems were also encountered by delegates coming from Timor-Leste, Myanmar, Cambodia, and Thailand when they arrived in the country. We will not go into details on that for space concerns but these problems were a total mess based on the information available on social media and what was reported by major news outfits like ABS-CBN and Philippine Star.
The Phisgoc has already issued an apology regarding the issue.
"We sincerely apologize to our athlete guests from Timor-Leste, Myanmar and Cambodia for the inconvenience caused to them by the confusion regarding their transportation and hotel arrangements," Phisgoc said in a statement.
For the Thai delegates, which had issues with transportation and accreditation, these are now already being addressed. In an ANC news report by Camille B. Naredo and published on November 24, Phisgoc chief operating officer Ramon Suzara said they are already addressing accreditation issues "one-by-one." He added that accreditation issue "happens even in other games."
More problems revolving around the SEA Games 2019 have surfaced on social media from unfinished venues, claims of contractors not finishing some projects for the games due to non-payment, and allegedly treating Filipino media as second-class citizens, among others.
The Phisgoc and the government have to understand that no matter their excuses or how they try to hide their lapses, major or not, it will surface on social media and they will be castigated by the Filipino people.
It is baffling that organizers are shelling out one excuse after another for the mistakes that they have committed when they have two years to prepare for the whole event. The Filipino people, again your bosses who are paying taxes to provide for your salary and even voted some of you into office, want you to just fix things and make the staging of the 30th SEA Games something that we can be proud of.
Senator Sonny Angara, who was quoted on a Philippine Star report by Ratziel San Juan and published on November 23, 2019, said Filipinos should shift their focus away from the annomalies and controversies surrounding the 30th SEA Games.
“This is about the hosting of the Games – we must concentrate on that. Our athletes could become distracted if there are many issues. They should be focused only on their competitions,” Angara was quoted saying.
Unfortunately Senator Angara, we cannot set aside these lapses. The Philippines has two years to prepare for the 30th SEA Games. Two years to come up with a beautifully designed logo. Two years to establish a system to ensure the smooth operation of the games. Two years to properly rehabilitate, construct, and renovate venues. Over two years to properly plan the games. What were you all doing with the people's money the last two years?
We are welcoming foreign guests to our home. We can give all the best "Filipino hospitality" that we can give but when things are chaotic and unorganized, our guests will not enjoy our hospitality.
Is there still time to save the 30th SEA Games? Maybe. But it cannot save the initial embarrassment the country is facing right now. To prevent our country from further embarrassment, organizers might want to start with a more welcoming and festive welcome sign. Then they can improve their process and communication with the delegates to ensure there is no confusion.
If you simply base it on how social media is reacting to how the SEA Games is being organize, many Filipinos are disappointed, sad, frustrated, baffled, and embarrassed of how things are right now. The Phisgoc and the government owe it not only to the delegates and their partners but also to the Filipinos a SEA Games that is properly excuted and fun. Whether there are minor hitches or not, at least it should be organized as smooth as possible.
The opening and closing ceremonies could be memorable but if the preparation and execution of the 30th SEA Games is bad, it will be remembered as a bad staging of the SEA Games. And the Filipino people do not want that.