RP Olympians to parade in barong tagalog during Olympic opener

MANILA, Philippines – Before they wear their game faces, the Filipino athletes will be wearing a national symbol in the opening ceremonies of the Olympics on Friday. The 15-member team led by flag-bearer Manny Pacquiao will wear the traditional Barong Tagalog, considered the Philippines’ national dress, in the opening ceremonies of what is dubbed “the greatest show on Earth." The opening rites will began once the Beijing clock strikes 8:08 p.m. with at least 80 heads of state including President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo on hand to witness what is considered the most lavishly spent curtain-raised in Olympic history. Arroyo is the first Philippine president to attend the Olympic opening ceremonies. She will join fellow leaders George Bush of the US, Nicolas Sarkozy of France and Yasuo Fukuda among other national leaders. The parade of athletes, the main event on Friday, will see a new format where countries will be arranged, in ascending order, according to the number of strikes it takes to write their names in Chinese calligraphy. – GMANews.TV