7 memorable moments at the SEA Games 2019

Philippines made history on its fourth hosting of the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games, and there are a lot of notable stories worth telling within the 11-day period of the whole event. 

As it officially closes on Wednesday, December 11, we listed down seven of the most memorable and unforgettable moments at the SEA Games 2019.

1. Surfer Roger Casugay won hearts and a gold medal

Filipino surfer Roger Casugay rescued his fellow surfer, Indonesian Arip Nurhidayat from getting swept by the waves during their ongoing competition.

Aside from the hearts of netizens, he also caught the attention of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, who lauded him on Twitter.

"Winning the competition and upholding sportsmanship is important, but humanity is above all. My appreciation for Roger Casugay, a Filipino surfer who gave up the golden opportunity to help Indonesian athletes who fell in the race. Greetings from Indonesia," Widodo wrote in a tweet.

Roger bagged Philippines' first-ever gold medal in the men's longboard event. It is also the country's first gold in SEA Games surfing.

He was also chosen as the flag bearer of the Philippine in the closing ceremonies of the 30th SEA Games.

2. Timor-Leste trends on Twitter

On the third day of SEA Games 2019, #TimorLeste trended on Twitter because of supportive Pinoy netizens.

This was because they noticed that at the time, the young Southeast Asian country had not yet won a single medal during the games. 

The country bagged awards on the second week of the competition winning five bronze medals and one silver from taekwondo and boxing.

3. Indonesian wushu athlete Edgar Xavier Marvelo dedicated two gold medals to his late father

Marvelo was only informed of his father's death after winning two golds in the men's gunshu and daoshu events of wushu.

His father passed away while he was competing in the 30th SEA Games.
Marvelo dedicated his wins to his late father.

His teammates kept the sad news from him until after his competition to keep him focused.

4. Filipino netter Ruben Gonzales proposed to Michele Bumgarner

Tennis athlete Ruben Gonzales popped the question to his longtime girlfriend Michele Bumgarner after he won a silver medal in the men's doubles event.

On her Instagram post, Bumgarner, who is a race car driver, expressed her disbelief about marrying her best friend and the love of her life.

"Still in such a shock. Can't believe I'm marrying my best friend and the absolute love of my life. I LOVE YOU @rubenninogonzales and to all our friends and family who kept this surprise from me! I LOVE YOU ALL!" she wrote.

5. PHL fencing teams taught Singaporean team how to dance to "Manila"

Philippine fencing head coach Amatov Canlas, showed Singaporean foil team members how to dance to "Manila," a song popularized by the band "Hotdog."

Canlas showed the men how it's done after Philippines bagged gold in the women's epee and bronze in the men's foil. 

"Manila" was the entrance song of Filipino athletes in the opening ceremony of SEA Games 2019.

The song was so catchy that even President Rodrigo Duterte and Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa were seen grooving to the song at the ceremony.

6. Carlos Yulo reveals humorous side in Twitterverse

Gymnastics golden boy Carlos Yulo may look serious with his game face on during his competitions, but all along the athlete has been hiding a humorous side to him which he revealed in Twitterverse.

He created an official Twitter account as the SEA Games 2019 progressed after dummy accounts claiming to be him went viral online.

His account has been verified with a blue check by Twitter.

Yulo asked his followers to report, unfollow and block dummy accounts who are pretending to be him.

On the day he created his Twitter account he already garnered over 83,000 followers. As of this writing he has over 193,600 followers.

The record-breaking gold medalist has been posting tweets that show his wacky side outside the gymnastics floor.

7. Efren "Bata" Reyes" tells millennials:  "Mag-aral na lang kayo!"

This was what Pinoy billiards legend told millennial fans who wanted to follow his footsteps in the sport.

He dropped truthbombs in an interview with Sam Nielsen of DZBB, telling them that finishing their studies is what would help them get through life.

“Ang kailangan na kailangan diyan (billiards) magaling na magaling ka para kumita ka diyan. Eh pag natapos ang pag aaral, iyan ang makakatulong sa iyo." 

—JAB/JCB, GMA News