GMA to lead SEAG grand rites

Everything is in place — from security to production number — for the grand and elaborate opening ceremonies of the 23rd Southeast Asian Games at the Quirino Grandstand.

Officials behind the expected three-hour show went to Luneta yesterday to personally inspect the place and discuss the security details on opening day of the region’s biggest sports spectacle.

"All preparation are now in place. Only minor details are to be polished, particularly the security arrangement in the area. But overall, we’re very optimistic about it. We assure the Filipinos and the people of the world that they are going to love the show, that’s a promise," said Virgilio Nadal, executive producer of the opening and closing committees of the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee.

No less than President Arroyo will lead the nation in welcoming the more than 7,000 athletes, officials, members of the diplomatic corps and foreign guests in the ceremony that will be broadcast live within the SEA region and around the world.

The local broadcast pool is composed of government networks IBC-13, NBN-4 and RPN-9 and corporate-owned ABC-5.

Mabuhay Satellite is responsible for transmitting the broadcast feed to all international broadcasters and will use the Philippines’ first and only satellite, Agila 2.

Overall director and producer Maria Montelibano was not around yesterday during an ocular visit at the Quirino Grandstand owing to an earlier commitment, but her assistant, noted stage director Robert Tongco, said a dry run of the various opening activities will be held next week to finalize all the details, including the security measures.

"Open field ito, so the organizers are expecting around 300,000 people to witness the event. It’s a security nightmare kaya proper coordination is needed among security committee, protocol and secretariat," said Tongco.

During a coordination meeting at the Luneta VIP lounge, Manila Police District director chief Superintendent Pedro Bulaong assured that security arrangement had been properly planned way ahead of the Games.

He said 5,000 uniformed men are to be assigned in the venue.