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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Flag-bearers Eala, Bagunas focused on delivering greater honor to PH

Flag-bearers Eala, Bagunas focused on delivering greater honor to PH

Published Dec 9, 2025 09:28 pm

At A Glance

  • BANGKOK, Thailand — Filipina tennis princess Alex Eala and men's volleyball team captain Bryan Bagunas were the brightest among the constellation of PH's sporting stars during the parade of delegation in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games opening ceremony at the Rajamangala Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 9 here.
BANGKOK, Thailand — Filipina tennis princess Alex Eala and men’s volleyball team captain Bryan Bagunas were the brightest among the constellation of sporting stars during the parade of delegation in the 33rd Southeast Asian Games opening ceremony at the Rajamangala Stadium on Tuesday, Dec. 9 here.
But while the two expressed immense pride as the team’s flag-bearers, the two aren't forgetting the reason why they are in the Thai capital in the first place.
And that is to deliver greater honor of winning the gold for the country.
“Malaking bagay sa motivation and morale pero in the end bonus lang ito and yung focus ko talaga is tennis whether or not, flag bearer ako, I will still be giving hundred percent in the match,” said the ever-charming Eala, who is now the youngest to ever become a flag-bearer for Team PH in the Games.
Bagunas echoed the same sentiment.
“Sabi nga ni Alex bonus lang ito. For me lucky lang na nakuha na flag-bearer pero syempre dapat focus pa rin kami sa kung ano yung goal namin this SEA games,” added Bagunas.
Still, it wouldn’t be too much if the two just enjoyed the moment of being the flag-bearers, especially since it was Eala’s first time wearing a barong.
“Actually first time ko magbarong pero eto siguro yung paborito kong accent,” said Eala while pointing at the small Philippine flag pinned on the collar of the intricately-designed “Laro ng Lahi” barong tagalog by renowned designer Avel Bacudio.
“Sobrang comfy nya. Kakaiba tayo syempre alam naman natin ang Pilipinas unique,” said the men’s volleyball team captain.
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