Palace: SEA Games opening set the bar high for int'l sporting events

This year's Southeast Asian Nation Games opening rite has set a high benchmark for other international sporting events, Malacañang claimed Sunday.

"The opening ceremony has set the bar high for prospective hosts of international sporting events," Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo said in a statement.

His statement comes a day after the official opening of the Philippines' hosting of the 30th Southeast Asian Games at the Philippine Arena in Bulacan.

Native dances from northern Luzon's La Jota Moncadeña and Mindanao's Singkil, and a demonstration of Filipino martial arts such as escrima, kali, and arnis highlighted the opening ceremony.

FULL COVERAGE: 30th Southeast Asian Games on GMA News

"Once again, the Filipino nation rose to the challenge and exhibited before the world the cultural genius of the Filipino and the best of Filipino talent giving world-class performances of our singers and dancers with impressive stage design and production, including the cauldron lighting ceremony, as well as the mesmerizing fireworks display," said Panelo.

"The opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games was a sight to behold. Such a delight to watch a night where all Filipinos, regardless of age, social or political status and location, went in droves to show their support to the country's hosting of the 30th SEA Games," Panelo added.

In a separate statement, however, Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte slammed the use of the Hotdog song "Manila" during the opening ceremony.

"Why would you play the song Manila? Did Lapu-Lapu die for Manila? Wag po natin gawing excuse ang upbeat dance-able song. Kami nagimbento ng budots. Kaloko man oie. We should be inclusive when we want to encourage our countrymen to cheer," she said in an Instagram post.

However, her father President Rodrigo Duterte, was seen on camera swaying while waving to Filipino athletes while "Manila" was playing.

Prior to the opening of the games, Malacañang expressed its apologies for "whatever inconvenience" athletes experienced during their stay in the Philippines.

Athletes from the Philippines and other countries earlier experienced several accommodation and food hitches, prompting the Philippine Southeast Asian Games Organizing Committee (PHISGOC) to apologize. —Jon Viktor Cabuenas/LBG, GMA News