Actress Agot Isidro criticized the disconnection between the Filipino athletes and the controversial cauldron during the opening ceremony of the 30th Southeast Asian (SEA) Games held at Philippine Arena.
On a Twitter post, Isidro doubts that there’s an athlete who saw the lighting of the cauldron in person because the venue of the opening ceremony is too far from Clark New City.
“There’s a certain disconnect when the participating athletes are in 1 indoor venue and the ceremonial lighting of cauldron miles away. More so, that ceremony was done days before. Did the athletes see it at all? Did anyone? Live?” Isidro said.
She then described the opening ceremony as “mere pomp & pageantry,” which her followers agreed.
According to some reports, the lighting of the cauldron which performed by Senator Manny Pacquiao and amateur-boxing world champion Nesthy Petecio was done pre-taped.
There’s a certain disconnect when the participating athletes are in 1 indoor venue and the ceremonial lighting of cauldron miles away. More so that ceremony was done days before. Did the athletes see it at all? Did anyone? Live?
Know what it’s called?
Mere pomp & pageantry.
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) December 1, 2019
She also shared an artwork from @marknealx showing the cauldron standing at shanties.
In honor of tonight’s #SEAGames2019 opening. Art by me.. pic.twitter.com/xe8CURryr5
— Neal (@marknealx) November 30, 2019
Isidro then defended her decision to criticize the SEA Games ceremony.
“I have always been. We need to speak out when discrepancies are blatantly displayed. You would too, if it went against everything you believed in. Magkaiba tayo ng pananaw. Yun lang yun. You can call me Agot. Maria Margarita sounds too formal. But thanks for the formality.” Isidro told her critic.
I have always been. We need to speak out when discrepancies are blatantly displayed.
You would too, if it went against everything you believed in.
Magkaiba tayo ng pananaw. Yun lang yun. You can call me Agot. Maria Margarita sounds too formal. But thanks for the formality.
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) December 1, 2019
Despite her criticisms of the SEA Games opening ceremony, she cheered for her friends who got involved and performing for the said event.
“Break a leg to my dear friends who are involved with and performing at the #SEAGames2019 opening program tonight! No doubt that this will be a sight to behold! Let’s support our artists and athletes!” she said.
Break a leg to my dear friends who are involved with and performing at the #SEAGames2019 opening program tonight! No doubt that this will be a sight to behold!
Let’s support our artists and athletes!
— Agot Isidro (@agot_isidro) November 30, 2019